85 IT7 starting issues

[dickita15]

These cars are start terrible on old plugs even in street form, so anytime you have a starting issue change the plugs. With a race prepped carb I always have to use ether the first time I start it each weekend then it is fine from then on. I never start the to load or unload it as I was told shuting it of cold was bad for it.

[lateapex911]

Flooded: Remove plugs, replace with fresh if you've got them, or dry existing. While they are out, crank over. Be prepared for the shooting mist/cloud. I assume the choke is gone. Transmission fluid (auto) is popular for regaining compression, BUT, your neighbors will HATE you. Mine called the cops one summer Saturday. Drop a bit in the carb while cranking. Then replace plugs. My particular carb likes a bunch of gas pedal pumping. (No choke) when it's really cold. If it's REALLY cold, like 50 degrees and it hasn't been started in a few days, it's ether time.

[joeg]

Tie it to your tow vehicle and flat tow it around the block a number of times...been there on numerous occasions with an RX3.

[NBS2005]

So I tried the plug clean up, seafoam and oil in the carb, and some gumout and starter fluid for good measure. I got it to kick over and run for maybe 15 seconds, then it would stop when it ran out of stuff to burn. I'm now guessing that the carb initially flooded the engine right before it gave up the ghost and stopped working because it seems like it's not getting fuel.

I'm going to check the filters and lines to see if I'm getting gas to the carb. If that looks good, time for a carb rebuild or just rebuilt one from Sterling.

Thanks for your help and encouragement. Any further suggestions are appreciated.

[PRO-7 racer]

I'm not really sure of the differences between our engines (PRO-7 vs IT7) but when the engine is cold or first start of the day try a hotter plug like a NGK 8 series and then let it warm up. After it is warm slip in a colder 9 series to race with. So far I have always got my started with the 9's but it starts alot easier with the 8's. Good luck.