Hey guys so here is the problem with my mercedes. You have to pump the gas quite a bit before the engine starts to fire and when it idles, it feels as if the engine is not getting enough air and as if only 6 of the 8 cylinder are firing. When you start to rev the engine it has a very rough acceleration unless you manually depress the air flap on the throttle body. My first thought was that I had a faulty throttle position system but the 76' mercedes doesn't have one. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

 

I'm making a general comment about carbueration. Push the accelerator pedal once to set the choke when the car hasn't been started. Pumping the accelerator simply pours too much gas into the carb. Those old movies showing pumping the gas pedal are bunk. If you have already pumped too much, hold the pedal to the floor (don't let up) as you crank and until it starts. Running too rough when you start is simply trying to burn off all the excess fuel you introduced pumping the pedal. Lastly, if it never seems to want to start when cold, check the fuel lines and possibly vacuum lines. The fuel pum is not hild fuel in the line! Hope some of this helps.

 

basics first, check vacuum hoses. if you don't know how old these items are, I'd replace distributor cap, rotor, plugs and wiring.