Spica cold start woes

["Jeff Greenfield" <alfaguy@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Ok, I've got a strange one that I need some help with.

'74 Berlina runs great when hot, suffers from the normal difficult to start
when cold symptoms of it will start reluctantly when cold, then die as soon
as the gas pedal is depressed, repeat 3-4 times and you can coax it to life.

Thermostatic actuator was dead, replaced it with a new (well rebuilt
actually) one, and have gone through and made all the appropriate
adjustments.

Still does it. Rack return spring is ok, as is the altitude compensator. The
cold start solenoid appears to be adjusted more or less correctly (depending
on who you listen to) engine will almost stall when energized when hot.

The only odd thing that I noticed, is when I remove the thermostatic
actuator the input lever does not seem to move down as far as it does on
other cars. Therefore, even with a properly functioning TA it is still too
lean when cold.

Before you say, well just live with it ... most of us probably could
including me, except that the woman who owns this car is the proverbial
sweet old lady well into her 70s and it needs to work properly otherwise she
can't get the car started and going.

I'd rather avoid replacing the FI pump with a rebuilt one if possible as the
car runs very well otherwise.

Any and all opinions welcome.

TIA,

Jeff
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