Trouble starting my Model A
 

Hey Guys,

The 1928 Model A ran ok (with the previous owner) around the block before i got it.

It sat for a few months in my garage. It starts only with the choke on. After a minute or two with the choke on and it still stalls. It's 80 degrees here in Texas.

Now, it won't start at all.

How do i use the two levers on the steering wheel??

I assume the left is for the spark and the right is for cruise control.

thanks

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eukZ9E_eofM

Sounds like you have a gasoline supply problem. Make sure there is gasoline in the tank and the shut off valve is on. Take the line off the carburetor and put a bucket underneath to catch any gasoline. Turn the gasoline shut off valve on and observe the gasoline flow. It should be a good flow. Be careful with the gasoline. Best to do this outdoors and with a fire extinguisher handy.

If that is all good then take the carburetor off and clean it out with carburetor cleaner and compressed air.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Definitely a fuel supply issue. Did you fill it with ethanol gas? Could be gummed up too. Or some dirt stuck in the carb.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

After you test the flow from the sediment bowl to the inlet to the zenith, and it is adequate, then see what comes out of the drain plug under the carb bowl. You want a decent flow there too. The screen at the fuel inlet needs to be clear.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Left control on the steering wheel is spark. Stat engine with it all the way upward (retarded). Right, pull it down a notch or two. Ignition on, then pull choke rod back a bit. even 80F remember the motor is way cooler than if has been running. Step on the starter, after it starts pull the spark lever down about 1/2 way. GAV knob should be open about 1/4 turn typically. Let your choke rod go back down after you get her going.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

My car was similar after sitting for awhile p.o. Used ethanol gas and after sitting unstarted for a few weeks inside of carburetor rusted up .Blew it out and also use small wire to clean passages ,changed gaskets and ran like new ( almost) use non ethanol if possible.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1637949911

1928 Ford Model A Coupe owned by ye_ole & slow that he is having starting problems with.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

id like to know what ethanol gas has to do with this issue.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Ethanol sucks in moisture from the air, and could grow algae and other sediment, which could clog the small passages, and it gets "stale" quick, within a few months.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

I will try the recommendations tomorrow.


As of now:

After about a 5-10 failed attempts at starting, the floor would be full of gas.

You guys still think it's a gas flow issue??

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

I'm not thinking it is a fuel supply issue.
Check for spark by pulling the coil wire out of the top of the distributor and holding it a short distance away from a head stud nut and see if you have a fat blue spark jumping the gap as it is turned over.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Delete.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

YO&S stated that it ran only with the choke out then would quit. It would not run at all without a spark. Having to have the choke out to run the engine would indicate to me that there is a problem with the fuel. I helped a new owner who had a makeshift shut off valve under the tank with a fitting that extended into the tank. Even though there was gasoline in the tank the car would only run with the choke out and then stopped running all together. There was no fuel coming out of the line at the carburetor. We put 2 gallons in the tank and the engine started up and ran fine.

YO&S says that the car is now not running at all. I would check to see if there is gas getting to the carburetor first although there may now be another issue with the ignition as Crosscut suggests.

The 1928 instructions for how to start the car in the video that I shared in my first post are about half way through the video. Very basic stuff but something that has to be learned by every new Model A owner. Also see the instruction manual that came with the car. If not with the car you can buy a new one from the dealers.

If the floor was full of gasoline after attempts to start the car then there may be a problem with the ignition. Or it could be that the carburetor jets are clogged up. It also could be that the ignition was not advanced when the engine started. Or the engine got flooded. Or . . . . . .

If the person who sold the car is close by, they could be consulted.

I am going to guess that initially there was fuel getting to the carburetor. And that the jets in the carburetor were clogged up. And that now there is no gas getting to the carburetor. That would explain the initial gasoline on the floor and the necessity of using the choke to run the engine and the fact that it is now not starting. It sounds exactly like the issue I had with the other car that was out of fuel except in that case the carburetor was OK.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

PUSH THE CHOKE IN AFTER IT STARTS. You are flooding it.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

It could be a plugged jet. Gas in the carb, but not getting to the intake. If you’re holding the choke closed to get it to run, that’s a lean issue.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Sounds like you are not advancing the spark lever (on left), I suggest going on tube and find video "How to start a Model A." As others have said choke briefly to start then push choke back in and move spark lever down to mid-point. Enjoy your new A, Looks great so far.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Sounds like it might be your first Model A. If you don’t already have an owners / operating manual you should get one. Things like the levers and much more will be explained.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

I don't know whether the car has an original type zenith or a later aftermarket Tillotson carb. Both are updraft types and both have an adjustable main mixture control or GAV that is controlled by turning the choke rod. Both carbs work the same way but are a bit different on how they function so it's nice to know what you have.

Pulling the choke will enrichen the mixture but excessive cranking with it pulled will flood the carb and it will leak out onto the floor or ground below. A float valve that is stuck open will also flood the carb and come out the bowl vent.

Model A gas tanks are all old and in varying states of condition. If fine particles of rust get past the filter bowl then the carb can get crud in the float bowl that will eventually make it into the fuel delivery circuits and can plug them up. They can also get plugged with varnish from old fuel if they set too long. If the car won't idle on its own then either it's not getting enough fuel supply from the tank or the idle circuit is plugged or maladjusted. Adjustment of the idle mixture depends on the carb you have on there.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Of course it's the condenser. It always is!


No, seriously, it does sound like a fuel problem, if it was running okay and then just stopped. Or the condenser.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Ye ole & slow, It is important to get back to the Barn animals when you get it fixed and let us know how you got it running. We all learn from these threads.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

The 30 Fordor I drive sat up a while and wouldn't start. A friend took the carb off and cleaned it, he said the jets were plugged. I find this car starts best with the GAV a full turn out, then lean it do 1/4-1/2 turn for driving. You didnt mention where the GAV is on your A.
Good luck, you'll get her going soon. What part of Texas are you in ? I'm north of Ft. Worth.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Running with the choke pulled = fouled spark plugs , clean and gap or replace plugs
Setting for a couple of months = corroded points , clean and gap points
Cold starting set GAV 1/2-1 turn open, left lever up, right lever down 2-3 clicks, fuel valve open/on, ignition on, pull choke out, push starter button, 2-3 turns of the engine push choke in, engine should be running, adjust idle speed with right lever as needed to keep running, pull the left lever down 3-4 clicks , then turn GAV 1/4-1/2 open

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

A little update:

I am such an amateur. The one youtube video i watched "how to start a Model A" never mentioned anything about the GAV. As a result, mine was open 3 full turns.

Got the car running today. Idles good (to my untrained ears). Drives like crap. It stalled out a few times. The GAV was open 3/4 turn. Too much gas??

It won't restart now. Once the car is warmed. What is the caused of the restart issue???

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Sugar Land Texas, south west of Houston

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Hello again,this is what a Zenith Carburetor looks like, cast construction original to the Model A will rust on the inside.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Next time it stalls and will not restart...spray a little shot of either in the carb, and step on the starter. That will tell you if it is electrical or fuel. If electrical, I have had the ignition cable screwed into the distributor too far. Heats up the tang on the lower plate extends and grounds out. Cools off it contracts and no longer touches. Maybe condensor? Some of the simplest stuff will stump you...

You do seem to be gaining ground on your issue.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

A little far from me, sorry. We thinking about Galveston or BP for Christmas.

You'll get her figured out, I run mine at 1/2 to 1/4 turn on the gav.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

A little update:

I am going backwards. It's a Tillotson Model X.
It starts and can not keep an idle. It dies after i give it gas. There is some gas on the floor.

It would start for a few seconds after a shot of starting fluid.

Still a gas issue?

Do i need a carb rebuild?

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Pull the carburetor off, take it apart and clean/blow it out. About an even chance your gaskets can be reused if your careful taking it apart. New gasket set is cheap if needed.

Re: Trouble starting my Model A
 

Sounds like carburetor issue could be the float is stuck or main jet in carb is not seating that will allow fuel to flow out. Always nice to have a spare good carburetor and distributor, Most long time Model A owners have many spare parts on a shelf for backup , to the point they can build a car from parts .Also be careful with starting fluid too much will clean oil off cylinder walls in a non starting condition.