The Ford Barn

Kurt in NJ · 11-29-2024, 08:42 PM

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.

11-29-2024, 08:42 PM	#3
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,672	Re: Starting your Flathead 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.