The Ford Barn

Ed in Maine · 06-08-2012, 04:19 PM

First off, this has been a reliable, easy starting car (crank, no starter) using a battery. It usually is running after 5-6 cranks. One spring I even got a "free start." But for some reason, this spring I have not been able to get it running. It will fire once or twice after choking it, but it will not stay running. I have cleaned the carb, checked the float level and then changed out the carb. The spark is very good and I changed the plugs. Then I changed the coils. Gas flow to the carb is very good. The compression is the same as it always has been. None of these ideas have worked.

I am running out of ideas and my arm and back have had it! In the past, I have never drained the gas tank during the winter storage but I wonder if the gas has gone bad and is not vaporizing good enough (car was stored 7 months). If anyone has any further ideas, I would be pleased to hear them. I hope I don't have to drain the tank, it is almost full. Ed

J Franklin · 06-08-2012, 04:25 PM

Give it some fresh gas. The ethonal gas only lasts a couple of months. I drained some that was about 7 months old into a can once and about had to add a wick to get it to continue burning.

rob63mess · 06-08-2012, 06:53 PM

maybe jack up the back wheel and try to start it in high gear.....be very careful and chock the wheels of coarse. maybe te flywheel effect will get it goin.

CharlieB · 06-08-2012, 10:02 PM

Fresh fuel would be my guess too. might check/clean/oil the timer also. The old timers swore the "jacking one wheel" method mentioned by Rob worked. An assistant to advance the fuel & spark might help once she goes.

Hemi Ron · 06-09-2012, 05:41 AM

I agree.Change the gas.I have had nothing but problems with vehicles setting to long with this crappy gas in it.I run the gas out of anything now that is going to set for a while.
Good luck

Steve Jelf · 06-09-2012, 10:42 AM

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After a pull or two with the choke wire out, a properly tuned and adjusted Model T should start on the first pull. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCWnmPrxKo0

If fresh fuel doesn't get it going, maybe you can borrow a carburetor off a running car to see if that works. The same with coils.

Steve Jelf · 06-09-2012, 10:57 AM

Are the plug wire terminals soldered, or just crimped? They do come loose and/or corrode.

06-08-2012, 04:19 PM	#1
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,113	Can't Get My 1914 T Started?? First off, this has been a reliable, easy starting car (crank, no starter) using a battery. It usually is running after 5-6 cranks. One spring I even got a "free start." But for some reason, this spring I have not been able to get it running. It will fire once or twice after choking it, but it will not stay running. I have cleaned the carb, checked the float level and then changed out the carb. The spark is very good and I changed the plugs. Then I changed the coils. Gas flow to the carb is very good. The compression is the same as it always has been. None of these ideas have worked. I am running out of ideas and my arm and back have had it! In the past, I have never drained the gas tank during the winter storage but I wonder if the gas has gone bad and is not vaporizing good enough (car was stored 7 months). If anyone has any further ideas, I would be pleased to hear them. I hope I don't have to drain the tank, it is almost full. Ed

06-08-2012, 04:25 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,995	Re: Can't Get My 1914 T Started?? Give it some fresh gas. The ethonal gas only lasts a couple of months. I drained some that was about 7 months old into a can once and about had to add a wick to get it to continue burning.

06-08-2012, 06:53 PM	#3
rob63mess Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: newark ohio Posts: 569	Re: Can't Get My 1914 T Started?? maybe jack up the back wheel and try to start it in high gear.....be very careful and chock the wheels of coarse. maybe te flywheel effect will get it goin.

06-08-2012, 10:02 PM	#4
CharlieB Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Toms River N.J. Posts: 515	Re: Can't Get My 1914 T Started?? Fresh fuel would be my guess too. might check/clean/oil the timer also. The old timers swore the "jacking one wheel" method mentioned by Rob worked. An assistant to advance the fuel & spark might help once she goes.

06-09-2012, 05:41 AM	#5
Hemi Ron Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4	Re: Can't Get My 1914 T Started?? I agree.Change the gas.I have had nothing but problems with vehicles setting to long with this crappy gas in it.I run the gas out of anything now that is going to set for a while. Good luck

06-09-2012, 10:42 AM	#6
Steve Jelf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Parkerfield KS Posts: 526	Re: Can't Get My 1914 T Started?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) After a pull or two with the choke wire out, a properly tuned and adjusted Model T should start on the first pull. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCWnmPrxKo0 If fresh fuel doesn't get it going, maybe you can borrow a carburetor off a running car to see if that works. The same with coils.

06-09-2012, 10:57 AM	#7
Steve Jelf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Parkerfield KS Posts: 526	Re: Can't Get My 1914 T Started?? Are the plug wire terminals soldered, or just crimped? They do come loose and/or corrode.