Firstfives.org

Probably overly sensitive, curious: '79 starts on 2-3 cranks. Rrr, rrr, rrr, vroom. New rebuild '81 takes 6-8 after sitting a day or two, faster if just driven.

And, I still feel an initial burble, stumble accelerating from zero. If it were a kart engine I'd richen the low end needle. No such thing on an L-jet.

Anything still need adjusting, or just my sensitivities. Two cars are interesting for comparing feel and performance.

My '81 is the same way, even with a high-end battery. It takes a good 5-10 minutes to warm up and get away from the weird idle and lack of power.

Fun to watch your progress. Is your throttle body spiffey?
While my mechanic was adjusting the valves (long story, I can do it, but;) he noticed the throttle body was grungey, so he cleaned it up a bit he said.
I had previously changed the plugs, rotor & cap. Replaced the spark plug wires. did the oil & filter thing, plus, air filter; just to be in touch. Still I noticed just a hint of hesitation developing under mild acceleration. I think that's when it was.
While he was changing the RR inner & outer cv boots, he changed the fuel filter we were starin' at. Ten bucks more. Oh, well.
All this to say, Rosalina now runs smoother. How's your throttle body?
Good Luck,,,,Greg

All of the components were cleaned, inspected, beautified, throttle body rebuilt from the FAQ. New filters, hoses, blah, blah. That's the mysterious factor, as there appears to be an endless list of parts that look fine, worked before but are now on vacation.

Interesting. It runs fine at operating temp, starts fast after just a short stop. The oxygen sensors in all three are expired, step one. Cheap. After that, maybe swap AFM, distributor, new fuel pressure regulator.

Except it gets stored in about two months, and it runs good warm, so the announcement of the cure may be next spring.