Randy--
The spray orifice is supposed to face AWAY from the user.
Some cars seem to be hard starters despite usual measures. My Healey is not one of them but the Elva Courier (MGA 1622 engine) is and earlier today I had to give it a shot to fire it up--once the engine lights up it is fine for the rest of the day.
Well, what can I say? It was San Francisco in the 1970s, and there was a lot of misinformation in those days__product labeling and consumer awareness was still it its infancy.
It seemed to have the greatest affect on our secretary though; she'd walk in from the crisp morning air into a cloud of ether. You really didn't want to ask here for any meaningful information until about 10:30...
Those who use started fluid-ever have an engine start backwards? Have had it happen once or twice, why I don't use fluid.
First I've ever heard of it. It certainly never happened in any of the hundreds of times I've used it (considering the number of cars we'd move 5, sometimes 6 days/wk, that's an underestimation). I just can't see how that would happen, considering the
timing of events would suggest the fuel would have to be sucked in from the exhaust (as opposed to how early emission-controlled engines were capable of
running on, due to lean burn/hot surfaces in the combustion chamber).
The problem you are describing is because you have too lean a fuel mixture. On BJ8 carbs, the manual says to set float levels at 7/16ths, reset them at 5/16ths which will raise the fuel level in the float bowls. Next check to see if jet needles are located properly and make sure they are both set at same height, with the slides out look down into the jet orfis. Look at the fuel level , it should be 1/8 to 3/16th of an inch off the bridge of the carb body where the jet fits. The jet should be 1/16th of an inch from the carb body. I just finished doing a car that would not start in 60 degree weather after I did this fix the owner said he started the car no problem in -30 c. I have done this to many cars with complete success. Then tune carbs accordingly.
I did not know that was such a blanket issue with the BJ8s; I've never owned one, but I have tuned up more than my share of them. My concern was to always make sure the levels in all float chambers was at the same height, rather than to achieve the exact value printed in the book.
Thanks, and I hope I remember this the next time I'm confronted with a pair/trio of HD8s!