Hi AVB,
No I have not checked the valve clearances on the engine. It is a good point to check them as you say they could definitely lead to starting problems.
I am also unfamiliar with the vacu-jet sliding choke carburetor, so would like to know how they actually perform on a good engine. As they got replaced by the pulsa-jet model I take it they weren't the best model of carburetor. The pulsa-jet model looks similar but uses the diaphragm to assist in full delivery and was a very popular carburetor for years.
I just really want to know if this poor starting is common with the vacu-jet sliding choke carburetor, which means my engine is starting normally. Or there is a common fault which can improve the starting.
