Cold Weather Starting

[CatMan1]

I've had my '28 for a little over a year now. Today, since my wife has the modern car, I drove the A to work. It was 23 this morning. The car sits in the garage and it cranked over pretty good, but was struggling to stay running. So....how should I adjust my starting procedure? Turn the mixture more rich? Can I or should I leave the choke out for a bit? One thing that I thought was odd was to have the car want to die as it was sitting there idling even if I gave it more gas. In fact, it was worse if I did. Thoughts......

[Curtis in MA]

GAV more rich.

[burner31]

Did you adjust the spark when it started? That should bring up the idle, and you can use the throttle control lever if needed.
I only choke to start, once it starts it should spring back when you let it go...is it doing that?

[CatMan1]

Originally Posted by burner31

Did you adjust the spark when it started? That should bring up the idle, and you can use the throttle control lever if needed.
I only choke to start, once it starts it should spring back when you let it go...is it doing that?

It does, but not quite as quickly in the cold. I have started it just like you said and mostly like I would in warmer weather.

[CatMan1]

Originally Posted by Curtis in MA

GAV more rich.

I tried that tonight. It seemed to help a little bit.

[nkaminar]

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GAV richer, idle up with hand throttle.

Do you have a thermostat? 23 is pretty cold and if the engine does not get thoroughly warmed up the moisture in the oil will cause problems. In 1930 people would cover the radiator in cold weather to help warm up the engine and then cover the hood during the day when it was parked to keep the engine warm. There was also a way to have a small heater under the engine when it was in the garage. You may want to try that. Just be careful of fire.

[Benson]

Cold weather starting:


1. Use the normal warm weather starting drill.


2. If engine dies after 3 or 4 seconds open GAV one turn and restart.


3. If engine still will not stay running try another 1/2 turn of GAV (mostly needed when it is below zero).


4. As engine warms up reduce GAV as needed for engine to run smoothly.


5. 1/4 GAV is the normal position after warmup.


6. Do not choke more than 1 -2 seconds or engine will flood.


7. Another thing I see on Utube all the time:


I see people choke when engine is NOT turning. Engine must be turning for choke to work.


Same goes pushing gas pedal repeatedly ... this does nothing because there is no accelerator pump on this Carburetor.

[Curtis in MA]

Benson, I thought I had heard that the GAV only is effective up to one turn only, after that it doesn't change anything.
Is that true?

[CatMan1]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

GAV richer, idle up with hand throttle.

Do you have a thermostat? 23 is pretty cold and if the engine does not get thoroughly warmed up the moisture in the oil will cause problems. In 1930 people would cover the radiator in cold weather to help warm up the engine and then cover the hood during the day when it was parked to keep the engine warm. There was also a way to have a small heater under the engine when it was in the garage. You may want to try that. Just be careful of fire.

No, I don't have a thermostat. This was a rare occasion that I would take it out in that cold and it was a very short drive. I know, shorter isn't any better. I doubt that I'll have to take it out in that cold again.

[Benson]

Originally Posted by Curtis in MA

Benson, I thought I had heard that the GAV only is effective up to one turn only, after that it doesn't change anything.
Is that true?

No, the more you turn the GAV the richer the mixture (up to a point where mixture is so rich that engine will not run anymore.)



I have driven Model As year round for the last 60 years in temperatures down to 20 below.



The colder that it is the more GAV is needed to keep it running.


Every carb is different.


Just like some carbs will not start (warm or Cold) unless the throttle plate (right lever) is opened slightly.



Some start when warm with NO choke.


Others need a little choke or they will not start when WARM.

[Benson]

After thinking about it:

Here is one case that might cause what you asked about in Post 8 !

The brass GAV seat and the brass Comp Jet have the same threads 5mm - .75.

GAV seat has a bore ID of about twice the size of the Comp Jet.

If someone put a Comp Jet in the GAV housing then I think that you would see what you mentioned in post #8.


Of course if someone puts a BRASS GAV "Jet" in place of the COMP JET then engine will run WAY TOO RICH when GAV is opened off the seat by a small amount!