Ok, now I have a question.... What would cause my '84 12a to want to start like a damn jet engine. I just was reading in here how everyone's car has little idosyncircities on starting, but most start with a few pumps of the throttle. Mine doesn't. It takes a good 30 seconds of turning the starter. After it spools up for a while it fires.

Let me see if i can describe what it's doing.
NORMAL ----
TURN KEY -- bluh.....bluh.....bluh.....vvrrroooommmm

(bluh is normal turning over noise )

MINE ---
TURN KEY -- bluh...........bluh...........bluh..........bluh.. ......bluh......bluh.....bluh.....bluh.....bluh... .bluh...bluh...bluh...bluh...bluh..bluh..bluh..blu h.bluh.bluhbluhblblbluh vvvrrroooommm

Oh, and it really hates it when it's cold out. But once you get it running and warmed up its fine

 

I'd check your ignition components, and your float bowl levels on the carb.

More info could help

Are you using the choke when it's cold and it still takes forever to start?

 

It may be the starter. The motor in it may be starting to wear out. Or possibly the battery is getting old and just can't put out the amps it needs too. I would check what "pratch" said above and if all that looks good check the battery and the starter itself. How many miles are on the car and how old is the battery?

 

@ least yours starts without the need of a generator cart to hook up and spin over your engine

 

i bet your carb has too much gas in it. probably leaking when you shut it off too. check the floooaaaatss.

 

Might take a look a the the spark plugs, clean and o/or replace. My SE did the same thing..it was fouled plugs.