Starting your Flathead

[Bullerman]

Had trouble starting my car this morning. It was pretty cool. When it was warm I pulled the choke out turned it over and it generally cranked right up.
This morning I did the same thing and patted the gas a couple of times. It cranked but died. Hit the gas pedal a couple more times and tried again. It would try to start. Didn't know whether to give it more gas or if it was flooded.
I finally got it started.
Let it sit all day and when I went to start it this evening it did the same thing.
It has been converted over to 12v. Has a electric fuel pump, and electronic ignition.and a new carb.Iknow some of the old cars had a combination to start them. Any ideas. Don't want to go through this every time. Also has a new starter.

[JayChicago]

Just a clarification on terminology:
“Crank”, “cranking” means the engine being turned by the starter motor, not yet running on its own power.
When it does finally run on its own, that’s “start”, “started”, or “fired”.

[Kurt in NJ]

Take the air cleaner off.
When you pull out the choke does it close all the way?
If you look down inside and work the throttle do see gasoline squirting?
Warm it shouldn’t need choking.
Watch it run in the dark — is there a light show of sparks jumping wrong places?
Remove a spark plug— is it wet ( way too much fuel) all black and dry?
Get a spark checker with adjustable gap and see if good or bad /weak spark when having problems with starting.
Generally restoration to original specifications eliminates the need for modifications and enhances reliability.
With the choke all the way out the butterfly should be jammed shut, pushed in a little it should shut but have spring action, then pushing all the way in it should be open.
Jammed shut can make for easy flooding.
What kind of fuel mileage do you get? — low fuel mileage can mean the plugs are always borderline fouling from being too rich.

[Bullerman]

Don't know anything about a Flathead yet but I am sure I will learn. Have had the car about five weeks. Haven't had any issues with the motor until this morning.
I will check the choke and see if is getting a squirt of fuel tomorrow. I pulled the choke out all the way so it's a good possibly I flooded it I guess.
I may go ahead and put a new set of plugs in it anyway. Also don't know about the coil. How old is is.
Don't know about the mileage yet. I will check the things you suggested. Thanks

[tubman]

The only time I don't use the choke on my '51 is on a warm start (the car has been running in the recent past). If the car has been sitting overnight and it's 75 degrees out, I will use the choke. Most of the time, I push it in immediately when the car starts, either all the way or partially. It's an acquired skill, sorta like learning to use the clutch to start on hills.

[Bullerman]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Same here. When I have been starting it I have been pulling the choke all the way out. It has been being warm though.
I would call it a skill to or combination. I don't think there is anything wrong I just have to figure it out.
I have some things to check that were suggested. Thanks

[tubman]

Make sure your starter is in good shape. The brushes and bushings wear, and you can even lose an armature circuit or two and the starter will still function. The problem is, they will draw more "juice" than they should that will act as a parasitic draw on the ignition. I had this problem years ago; the car started all of the time, but seemed to struggle. A tune-up helped a bit, but didn't solve the problem.

A properly rebuilt starter did.

[Bullerman]

I forgot to say it does have new starter on it.
I was going to ask Tubman. You said you always pull your choke out when the motor is cold. Do you press the accelerator and give it any gas or just use the choke.

[mcgarrett]

When my '40 is cold, I always pump the accelerator 2 or 3 times and pull the choke out all the way before pressing the starter button. Pumping the gas pedal squirts fuel into the manifold to get the fire going and full choke helps enrichen the mixture until it begins to warm up, but don't leave the choke fully closed for too long - you'll notice the engine will start to "load up" with too much fuel. Listen to your engine...it will tell you what it needs.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Bullerman

I forgot to say it does have new starter on it.
I was going to ask Tubman. You said you always pull your choke out when the motor is cold. Do you press the accelerator and give it any gas or just use the choke.

A couple of pumps as well. "mcgarret" has it about right.

[Bullerman]

Got on it this morning. The choke wasn't closing very far. After a few adjustments got it closing pretty well all the way. I chocked it like that. Checked to see if the accelerator was working. Pumped the accelerator one time. It fired right up.
I don't think yesterday it was chocking it enough to keep it running. Hopefully that fixed this. Thanks for all the advice.
Now in to the next thing. Right front King pin and clutch.

[19Fordy]

Bullerman: Here's a whole bunch of info. on changing king pins. Exact (zero play) reaming is essential.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=should...&ghacc=0&ghpl=

[Bullerman]

Got the starting problem fixed. Made and adjustment on the choke cable. It was only closing the choke a little. Can close it all the way now. I choke it, pump the pedal a couple of times and it starts right up.

[Shoebox]

Originally Posted by Bullerman

Got the starting problem fixed. Made and adjustment on the choke cable. It was only closing the choke a little. Can close it all the way now. I choke it, pump the pedal a couple of times and it starts right up.

ALWAYS nice to hear of a successful fix.

[47Monarch]

My 47 is a bit tricky to start when it's cold out. Like 50F. Try this .pres gas pedal 1 pull out hand throttle then press starter button while pulling out choke . A bit complicated but it works

[Seth Swoboda]

Originally Posted by Bullerman

Got on it this morning. The choke wasn't closing very far. After a few adjustments got it closing pretty well all the way. I chocked it like that. Checked to see if the accelerator was working. Pumped the accelerator one time. It fired right up.
I don't think yesterday it was chocking it enough to keep it running. Hopefully that fixed this. Thanks for all the advice.
Now in to the next thing. Right front King pin and clutch.

King Pin and front end rebuilds are my favorite. You will love how much better the car drives when the front end is like new.