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Old 05-27-2016, 09:26 PM   #1
dannermanner
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Default 1931 Model A not starting

OK, Here is the story I Have a 1931 model A the car was sitting for about 2 years. I cleaned the gas tank all lines to the carburetor. Added new filters, had cab rebuilt. added new gas. The distributor was rebuilt with modern points. Also got new coil and wire, new plugs. Had car running on the first start. Ran real good. ran for about 2 weeks no problems. then I thought to reset timing. because it was running a little rough. Then no start. I also checked the gaps on points and plugs .Checked timing again.
no start. so I checked that the carb was getting fuel, yes! Check timing again 3 times. Car is getting spark and fuel, air. nothing, not even a back fire. good composition in all cylinders. Any ideas.
Thanks
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Old 05-27-2016, 09:42 PM   #2
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

I suspect that you are not getting something right in setting the timing. Was this the first time you've set timing? What directions are you following to set the timing?

Just my preference but I suggest going back to the original set up for points. The modern points seem to cause a lot of grief for folks.
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Old 05-27-2016, 09:50 PM   #3
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

Sorry to hear you installed so many parts. Most times, if the car ran when parked, all that's needed is air in the tires, charge the battery, may need fresh gas, and may need to clean the points. Hope you save the other parts.

Pull the choke, turn the engine over a couple revs, then see if gas drips out the carb.
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Old 05-27-2016, 09:59 PM   #4
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
Sorry to hear you installed so many parts. Most times, if the car ran when parked, all that's needed is air in the tires, charge the battery, may need fresh gas, and may need to clean the points. Hope you save the other parts.

Pull the choke, turn the engine over a couple revs, then see if gas drips out the carb.
This is a common error that people make, they change too much at the same time.

Anyway,

look here

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1280509&postcount=4

and the same thing worded differently,

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...87&postcount=4
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Old 05-27-2016, 09:59 PM   #5
dannermanner
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

Thanks for your help, It has new gas and new points. The the directions I'm following is abarnyard.com/workshop/timing.htm
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Old 05-27-2016, 10:03 PM   #6
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

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Yes I'm getting drops of gas from the carb.
Thanks
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Old 05-27-2016, 10:05 PM   #7
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

I'm getting good spark.
thanks
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Old 05-27-2016, 10:14 PM   #8
Mike V. Florida
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

You http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...87&postcount=4 need
1) fuel
2) Compression
3) Spark
4) at the right time

Where are you testing spark? Is it getting to the plugs? Have you removed a plug and seen a spark at the gap? What are your gaps?

My guess is still on the timing?
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Old 05-27-2016, 10:16 PM   #9
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

Badly flooded maybe?

Try cranking it with the throttle full open/accelerator to the floor(no choke!) and see if you get it to fire....
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Old 05-27-2016, 10:21 PM   #10
dannermanner
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

Yes, me to. I'll give the farmbarn timing a go.
Thank again
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Old 05-27-2016, 10:24 PM   #11
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

You say you have spark, compression, and gas, so the only thing left is...............is the spark occurring at the right time. Try to turn the rotor with your fingers. If you can, then the screw isn't holding the points cam tight.
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Old 05-28-2016, 10:01 AM   #12
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Default Re: 1931 Model A not starting

Quote:
Originally Posted by dannermanner View Post
OK, Here is the story I Have a 1931 model A the car was sitting for about 2 years. I cleaned the gas tank all lines to the carburetor. Added new filters, had cab rebuilt. added new gas. The distributor was rebuilt with modern points. Also got new coil and wire, new plugs. Had car running on the first start. Ran real good. ran for about 2 weeks no problems. then I thought to reset timing. because it was running a little rough. Then no start. I also checked the gaps on points and plugs .Checked timing again.
no start. so I checked that the carb was getting fuel, yes! Check timing again 3 times. Car is getting spark and fuel, air. nothing, not even a back fire. good composition in all cylinders. Any ideas.
Thanks
Hey, wait a minute. That's my car! To the letter what Iv'e been going thru plus a couple other obvious things. Finally called in the troops experts from the club. They corrected enough things and got the car running. One of the last things was a jumper across the fuse. A problem you could not easily detect. That running car was the best possible birthday present. Now to tweet a few little things and it's off to the paint shop. A big thanks to my friends at the club.

Last edited by captndan; 05-28-2016 at 10:03 AM. Reason: Adition
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