STARTING FROM COLD ADVICE PLEASE

[Pearl-The-Coupe]

Hello fellow members, I just need some advice as not had my Coupe long. When starting from cold with the manual choke, would you pull the choke out all the way and depress the throttle a little, or would you pull the choke out all the way and not press the throttle, is it common with these cars that the engine turns over for a fair bit before firing up as mine does ??.
Just wondering if there was a knack to it, or whether it just down to the individual cars, I'm taking her to a classic car garage soon called Pride and Joy for a mechanical once over and report so will see if any problems arise then, could be plugs etc I will find out soon. When warmed up she runs beautifully but as I say I'm just wondering whether a long turnover before firing up is the norm. Thanks, John.

[Phil Nottingham]

I have always found the IOE engines start instantly from cold if set up correctly.  Just pull the choke fully out and do not press the accelerator until after it starts and the cold start is pushed in slightly.  In summer only just past fast idle (ie half way) is required.  You will soon get used to the way they like it.  Both our P4 and P5 behave slightl differently the P5 auto likes reving a bit before it can be driven off, the P4 does not need it.  Neither need any cold start during the day after starting but in the recent cold weather a bit of fast idle has been needed.   Both only need it pulled out for less than half a mile and before the Yellow light appears

[Phil Nottingham]

Looking at your Avatar - have you a P5B?  These often do require a churn if left for a while especially if you do not have an electric pump conversion .

SU carbs do not require the acclerator pressing before it fires up but I find our P5B need revving as soon as it does.  Being ally they warm up very quickly but also cool down quickly

If you are still on points (I am as I do not trust electronics) the dwell and timing needs to be spot on (no feeler gauging and use a strobe for timing) as do plug gaps and carb balancing (a lot of mechanics do not know how to set these up or forget to slacken the carbs accelerator X link!)

[lagain]

I usually press the throttle down as I pull out the cold start as it lifts the idle screws off the cams so less stress on the cable !
then take my foot off the throttle. She will only start quickly if I have used her the day before otherwise I have to churn her until she eventually bursts into life. Fitting an electric fuel pump made no difference and she has electronic ignition. It seems to be a characteristic of the V8s. How far you pull out the cold start depends how it has been set up, so trial and error.

[Pearl-The-Coupe]

Good evening Phil/Lagain, thanks for your replies I will take a look at each suggestion, I guess it's trial and error as you say. I haven't taken her to Pride and Joy yet ( this week ) for the once over so maybe she could just need setting up properly, I will report if any difference once she's checked, much appreciated guys. 
Yes Phil she's a P5B so good to hear they require a churn if left a bit and mines not the only one. John. 

[ray]

John,

Mine always likes to churn if she has been left. I have owned it since 1989 and it has never been a problem. Additionally I like it, as this pumps oil round the engine before she fires. If left I give her one burst of starter on full choke with throttle being dabbed twice. Then I stop the starter (not to burn the starter-motor). Then I do another burst of starter. Usually she will fire on this burst. But occasionally she will need three attempts. I used to worry about the battery on very cold days. But that is big and until it needed replacing it always supplied all power needed. This has been the same of all the years I have owned this car.
We get too used to modern cars, electronic everything, which compensates for all matters to ensure the "product" burst into life no matter who is sitting in it.
....Real Classic cars have a 'sole' and you nurture and cherish their individuality.   Cheers  Ray

[Pearl-The-Coupe]

Good evening Ray, thanks for your reply, as yours it is a worry re the battery but she seems to be happy churning away and always gets there in the end. 
As you say, they are all individual and I'll find ' Pearls ' preferred method soon enough I guess ( although I'll try yours out ). Thanks again Ray nice to hear from you. John.