Ok, well I am not sure if I am going to describe this right, but I will try. I am helping out my future brother in law with his 87 305 Trans Am w/ 4 barrel. My first question is when we turn the ignition into the on position, it makes a very rapid ticking noise for probably a minute or so before shutting off. It sounds like it is coming from the carb, but I am not positive (My first guess is that its the fuel pump, but I always thought they just hummed and not ticked). We just put on a new, well remanned, Holly replacement carb as well. I am just trying to figure out what that noise is and if its actually a problem or not. The reason we replaced the carb was because he hadn't had the car running for a very long time and it wouldn't start and he was told that he needed a new carb a while back.

Secondly, I got the carb in with pretty much no problems, but it still wouldn't start, but this time it seemed like a bad starter so that is our next step. (Those starters are a pain to get out thats for sure)

I am hoping that once we get the starter replaced the car will fire right up, if not I am not sure what else to look at since I have never really worked on a carburated car before. Anyway, if anyone can help me out in identifying that ticking noise I would appreciate it.

 

the ticking sounds like the MC(mixture control) solenoid on the carb(if the carb is still CC)

 

Electric choke possibly? I doubt the fuel pump is what you here, could have a mechanical fuel pump. If it does have a mechanical fuel pump, try dumping a splash of fuel down the carb to see if it will fire.

 

Well I didn't even get that far with the car. After I got the carb all hooked up and everything when we went to start the car the starter sounded "sick." It just didn't want to turn over, so I checked the battery first but that was fine. So we tried it a few more times and eventually it got to the point where the starter wasn't making any noise at all, no clicking or nothing so that is why I think it needs a new starter as well. Also, this car is an 87 like I mentioned with only 56,xxx miles on it and it hasn't been running since 99 I think he said.

 

MC selinoids definately make that ticking noise, when they are working properly. It's just been a long time since I saw one work properly!!!! Consider yourself lucky.

Since the car has been setting so long, I would change the battery cables first. It is a cheaper fix and can cause a starter to look bad.

 

The battery cables actually don't look too bad though. The car has been in a garage the whole time so it hasn't really been exposed to the elements to really damage the wires.

 

wow, I just joined and two bud's with the same year and engine. Anyway, my son & I just bought an '87 Z28 w/ 305 & carb and this car makes the same noise. I think it's the electric choke and if remember from other cars I had in the past the electric choke would do that too. this the car is running pretty good as far as the carb, but cooling, well that's another story... so, hope new carb works out.

 

before you change the starter check the over looked things such as, is the car in park, are the wires on the start tight, are all the fuses good, etc... If those things don't help then it's the solenoid...

 

Forget the electric choke issue and listen to this man. The noise is coming from the mixture control solenoid on the passenger side front of the carb, and is completely normal.

Old carb, new carb, still won't start? Check the ignition first, always...