Conversion Van — Hard Start / No-Start History (350 Vortec V8)

Vehicle: Chevy conversion van — 5.7L 350 Vortec V8 (S1500 chassis).

WHAT'S HAPPENING The van refused to start for roughly three days about two weeks ago, then mysteriously self-healed and has been starting since. Current behavior:

- Slow start: once cranking, it takes 1–3 seconds to catch — sometimes longer depending on how long it sat. - Priming helps a lot: turning the key to ON and letting the fuel pump prime for a second or two before cranking noticeably improves starts (only recently discovered this). - Occasional overnight battery drain: the battery has mysteriously drained overnight with all interior lights etc. off. Has NOT happened recently. - A/C split front/rear: ice cold in the BACK, tepid at best up front — and it only gets there after driving ~5 miles at >35 mph. Both zones run off the front compressor.

HISTORY - Fuel pump and several other fuel system components were replaced in 2022 — receipts available. - Oil recently topped off. Some leaks present, but transmission fluid and oil levels are more than satisfactory.

SUSPICIONS / QUESTIONS FOR VLAD - Fuel pressure bleeding down while parked (check valve / regulator / injector leak-down)? - Parasitic draw behind the intermittent overnight battery drain? - A/C: low charge or front expansion-valve/blend-door issue? (Rear getting cold while front stays tepid, both on one compressor.)

Photos of the van below. Text Kenneth to arrange a look.