The Ford Barn

Rip · 05-09-2016, 02:15 PM

Started and drove nicely during purchase and twice at home. Then showing off for my son, flooded it. Start procedure: full retard,1/3 throttle, carb adj rod one full turn open, elec & fuel on, pull choke for first starter crank, usually starts on second crank.

how clear a flooded engine and need some help. It is a 31 wooden cab and bed truck. Also can't figure how to check for spark seated inside and pressing starter button.

Thanks, Rip

1930artdeco · 05-09-2016, 02:33 PM

I only use a half a turn on the GAV. Other than that sounds like you have the start sequence correct. The only way to check for spark is someone has to watch for it in the engine compartment. Either they pull the coil wire or pull a strap and watch it go to ground.

Mike

Mitch//pa · 05-09-2016, 02:39 PM

You can actuate the starter rod by hand from under the hood while you hold the coil wire a 1/4 from a head nut... Another option is to turn the key on and work the points by hand.
If you have a fuse at the starter make sure it's not blown and has a good contact

pgerhardt · 05-09-2016, 02:55 PM

My model A (and most likely all A's) floods VERY easily. Once done I find the only cure is to wait. I have found that cranking with a wide open throttle (which would clear many engines) would not work. I just have to wait a good 15-20 minutes.

To avoid flooding I move the throttle lever down until the pedal just moves, start cranking, and then a quick 1-2 second choke is all that is needed to start.

Utopia Texas · 05-09-2016, 03:28 PM

Since there are numerous differences internally in just about every Model A you are just going to have to find the sweet spot for your car when the engine is both cold and hot. By differences I mean the taper on the point of your GAV needle, float level and how the points are set in the distributor. The sweet spot for the GAV on my 1931 Slant 4 Door Sedan is 3/4 open when cold and 1/2 open after the engine warms up. Congratulations on getting a Model A. They are great cars and fun to drive and easy to work on with minimal tools.

Rip · 05-09-2016, 03:41 PM

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Mitch
Darned if the fuse on starter isn't blown. Off to auto store. Thanks everyone.Rip

Patrick L. · 05-09-2016, 03:52 PM

Whenever an engine is flooded and doesn't want to start with WOT and a number of cranks, I pull all the sparklers to look for fuel bridging and blow them clean, spin the engine over to clear the cylinders. Screw the sparklers back in and start it up.

But, in Rip's case I'm wondering why the fuse blew. Time will tell.

Mitch//pa · 05-09-2016, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Whenever an engine is flooded and doesn't want to start with WOT and a number of cranks, I pull all the sparklers to look for fuel bridging and blow them clean, spin the engine over to clear the cylinders. Screw the sparklers back in and start it up.

But, in Rip's case I'm wondering why the fuse blew. Time will tell.

Because he was showing off

BILL WILLIAMSON · 05-09-2016, 05:06 PM

Model A's flood EASILY. A 1, (yes, one) second choke is ENOUGH!!!---Like, ONE THOUSAND ONE! If you talk in a SLOW drawl, that might be TOO LONG!
Bill Okie

mshmodela · 05-09-2016, 05:32 PM

I cannot speak for your car but this is great web site:

http://modelabasics.com/Starting%20&%20Driving.htm

For my car, 1 full turn open GAV when cold, chock more more than 2 turns of engine... more chock than that and I'll flood the car.... once warm, 1/4 - 1/2 open GAV and no chock....

tbirdtbird · 05-09-2016, 08:42 PM

cranking a motor with a WOT has ALWAYS cleared a flooded condition for me no matter the car for 60+ yrs

captndan · 05-10-2016, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Because he was showing off

I wasn't showing off when it blew. Just happened. Always carry spares.

bambooboy · 05-10-2016, 11:57 AM

welcome aboard Rip,your car starting will also depend on weather conditions.not sure where your at but mine needs choke to start,some gas,in cold or damp weather pull choke again,maybe twice till it idles on its own. cars in the forties&early fifties had a choke cable that was not spring loaded.in cold weather pulled choke to start,head out to work&push choke back in after a few miles.

burner31 · 05-10-2016, 12:35 PM

Thank God that's all it was.
With all the rain that's been falling across the Country...I thought the worst.

05-09-2016, 02:15 PM	#1
Rip Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lakeland, Fla Posts: 49	Flooded my new 31 Started and drove nicely during purchase and twice at home. Then showing off for my son, flooded it. Start procedure: full retard,1/3 throttle, carb adj rod one full turn open, elec & fuel on, pull choke for first starter crank, usually starts on second crank. how clear a flooded engine and need some help. It is a 31 wooden cab and bed truck. Also can't figure how to check for spark seated inside and pressing starter button. Thanks, Rip

05-09-2016, 02:33 PM	#2
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: Flooded my new 31 I only use a half a turn on the GAV. Other than that sounds like you have the start sequence correct. The only way to check for spark is someone has to watch for it in the engine compartment. Either they pull the coil wire or pull a strap and watch it go to ground. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

05-09-2016, 02:39 PM	#3
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Flooded my new 31 You can actuate the starter rod by hand from under the hood while you hold the coil wire a 1/4 from a head nut... Another option is to turn the key on and work the points by hand. If you have a fuse at the starter make sure it's not blown and has a good contact

05-09-2016, 02:55 PM	#4
pgerhardt Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Danbury Ct Posts: 1,254	Re: Flooded my new 31 My model A (and most likely all A's) floods VERY easily. Once done I find the only cure is to wait. I have found that cranking with a wide open throttle (which would clear many engines) would not work. I just have to wait a good 15-20 minutes. To avoid flooding I move the throttle lever down until the pedal just moves, start cranking, and then a quick 1-2 second choke is all that is needed to start.

05-09-2016, 03:28 PM	#5
Utopia Texas Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Brookshire & Cat Spring,Texas Posts: 222	Re: Flooded my new 31 Since there are numerous differences internally in just about every Model A you are just going to have to find the sweet spot for your car when the engine is both cold and hot. By differences I mean the taper on the point of your GAV needle, float level and how the points are set in the distributor. The sweet spot for the GAV on my 1931 Slant 4 Door Sedan is 3/4 open when cold and 1/2 open after the engine warms up. Congratulations on getting a Model A. They are great cars and fun to drive and easy to work on with minimal tools.

05-09-2016, 03:41 PM	#6
Rip Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lakeland, Fla Posts: 49	Re: Flooded my new 31 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mitch Darned if the fuse on starter isn't blown. Off to auto store. Thanks everyone.Rip

05-09-2016, 03:52 PM	#7
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Flooded my new 31 Whenever an engine is flooded and doesn't want to start with WOT and a number of cranks, I pull all the sparklers to look for fuel bridging and blow them clean, spin the engine over to clear the cylinders. Screw the sparklers back in and start it up. But, in Rip's case I'm wondering why the fuse blew. Time will tell.

05-09-2016, 05:06 PM	#9
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Flooded my new 31 Model A's flood EASILY. A 1, (yes, one) second choke is ENOUGH!!!---Like, ONE THOUSAND ONE! If you talk in a SLOW drawl, that might be TOO LONG! Bill Okie __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

05-09-2016, 05:32 PM	#10
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Flooded my new 31 I cannot speak for your car but this is great web site: http://modelabasics.com/Starting%20&%20Driving.htm For my car, 1 full turn open GAV when cold, chock more more than 2 turns of engine... more chock than that and I'll flood the car.... once warm, 1/4 - 1/2 open GAV and no chock.... __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

05-09-2016, 08:42 PM	#11
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Flooded my new 31 cranking a motor with a WOT has ALWAYS cleared a flooded condition for me no matter the car for 60+ yrs __________________ '31 180A

05-10-2016, 11:57 AM	#13
bambooboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: joppa maryland Posts: 209	Re: Flooded my new 31 welcome aboard Rip,your car starting will also depend on weather conditions.not sure where your at but mine needs choke to start,some gas,in cold or damp weather pull choke again,maybe twice till it idles on its own. cars in the forties&early fifties had a choke cable that was not spring loaded.in cold weather pulled choke to start,head out to work&push choke back in after a few miles.