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When the engine is cold and not running, peek down the carburetor throat with a good flashlight and manually operate the throttle. A good accelerator pump will provide an instantaneous and well defined squirt with each throttle opening. The volume and forcefulness of the fuel injected into the throat will depend on how quickly and how far you rotate the throttle. Generally, you should see 3 - 4 strong squirts before the fuel bowl is depleted.
Now, start the engine and let it run for a minute. Shut the engine off and recheck the accelerator pump operation. If it works after running the engine, you'll need to determine whether the fuel bowl is draining out while sitting for a spell.Couldn't say on the Edelbrock kits, but I would anticipate some differences between carb models.
Sounds like a weak or failing fuel pump.
How long did it set between uses? I have a 1406 on my 78. If it sits more than 8 or 9 days its hard to start because all the gas has evaporated out of the bowls. I have an open type air filter. That lets it evaporate faster.Could be an accelerator pump, but if all the gas has evaporated out of it the pump wont pump anything...What is the time period between trys to start it?If it starts today but not tomorrow.. theres a leak somewhere. if it starts today but not in a week, maybe a bad fuel pump letting the fuel run backwards back into the tank.My 78 always had fuel pump problems, every 6 months. I always bought the store brand fuel pumps for $20 to fix it. it would work great for 6-8 months. turns out it was cheap fuel pumps. I bought an Edelbrock #1721 fuel pump for oh about $140 or so 6 years ago... I know people say my stock 350 doesnt need that and I agree. ECEXPT.. that pump has been good for the last 6 years. no failures. My stock 78 engine has a bunch of hotrod parts on it. not because i think they are cool. but because I got tired of buying and replacing the cheap parts every year. the edelbrock pump has worked out for my beautifully. the normal $25-$55 pumps are all cheap garbage. buy the Edelbrock and be done with it. That I will spend on necessary extra on parts like that is why my truck is so reliable. you can buy one edelbrock pump for $160 and be done with it or you can buy a $25 pump every 8 or 9 months. I figured out I need my truck to work when I need it not when it feels like it.