engine cranks for a long time before starting

[ziegler]

The carbs have been rebuilt and sync'd, a new gear reduction starter placed and solid state ignition, but she takes a while to start.....could it be the sending unit or fuel pump.

[pcolette]

Could be the fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, partially collapsed fuel lines or air leak into the fuel lines among other things.
I'd check the fuel filter first and then the fuel lines. If the incorrect fuel lines (SAE instead of metric) are used then it's possible to have air suction leaks at the connections to the carbs and fuel pump. Also the fuel lines do have a tendency to dry out and crack over time.
The sending unit should have no effect on starting.

[pcolette]

Forgot to ask - by solid state ignition did you mean Pertronix or PinzSSI? If Pertronix, double check the clearance between the sensor and the magnetic collar. Too large a gap will affect starting.

[Jimm391730]

but she takes a while to start.....

How long between starts does this happen? If you only attempt to start it every week or two then I would suggest that the carb bowls have dried up and are not getting refilled in a timely manner (priming issues due to air leaks, or a pump issue). If this happens within minutes of shutdown, then it is not likely to be fuel related - the carb bowls should still be full.

Put a carb level gauge on the front carb, and see what the fuel level is before, during, and after starting. This is a quick and easy test, and will decide what the next step should be.

[boeing7873]

This problem is on a cold start or a hot start? If hot, I would suspect flooding. This means too much gas went in, confirm by pressing the pedal all the way, wait 20 seconds or so, then crank. If time is reduced, too much gas was introduced, float level is apparently the first thing to check.
Both cold and hot starts are greatly affected by timing.

[ziegler]

Thank you,,,,will be checking floats and fuel pump

[waterdog]

it happens to me kinda like that..... in hot starts right up, but when sits for more than an hour, takes more cranking..