The Ford Barn

vern hodgson · 04-04-2016, 10:34 AM

How many turns should the choke be opened in cold starting? secondly, does the t carbuertor have a float and should I look there to correct dripping gas? Trying to tame my t so I feel comfortable driving it. Vern

tmodelman · 04-04-2016, 11:27 AM

Normal setting of a good NH carb doesn't need to be enriched (turning knob counterwise with '25-later style) or turning carb needle valve rod (under dash firewall on pre-'25 ).

Just pull the choke to get more gas in cylinders for starting cold.

At times, a cold engine will need to be enriched with counterclockwise turn, usually just 1/2 turn until warm at road speed. Then close it enough to get smooth running without rough engine, will settle down at that mid point. From fully closed, (don't turn past stop too far or you will impale the needle in the seat and damage the needle tip), normally is about 1 1/2 turns to 2 turns out (counterclockwise) for initial starting.

Dripping can be caused by the float valve needle sticking. Remove the carb and adjust the float.

Royce P · 04-04-2016, 06:07 PM

Totally agree. I don't mess with the mixture adjustment once I figure out where the best place is. I pull the crank up four times with the choke pulled and the key off. Pull the throttle down about 1/4 of the way. Turn on the key and you should get a free start if the timing is set correctly.

Will N · 04-04-2016, 06:35 PM

I have an NH, and I find that I have to open the needle valve about half a turn for a cold start. I also have to do like Royce P said (pull the crank 4 times with the choke closed to prime the cylinders), but I also need the needle valve opened for it to stay running after a cold start. After a few seconds, I can close it down that half turn. I guess they're all a little different, and you're going to find what works best on your car.

vern hodgson · 04-04-2016, 09:53 PM

Thanks gentlemen for the info. I will play with it tomorrow.

jesselashcraft · 04-26-2016, 10:53 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Royce P

Turn on the key and you should get a free start if the timing is set correctly.

3 or 4 clicks on the spark lever?

tmodelman · 04-26-2016, 04:11 PM

Depends on how you set the timer rod for the ignition type. I

For the electric starter T, the timer rod is set for the timer case to be at approx. 15 degrees past TDC, so you always retard the spark lever fully for battery start, putting the spark lever all the way up on the quadrant when starting. Keeps from breaking a Bendix spring or bending a starter shaft.

For non-starter, magneto starting, the spark lever can be pulled down two or three clicks on the quadrant as the timer rod is usually bent to the timer case for a TDC position. That advance is needed for mag starts.

On my battery T's, they can sit for a week or so in the garage. Most times get or almost get a compression start with a flick of the key to BAT. Helps to shut off the T for this, switching to OFF, then pull down the throttle lever, as the engine is coming to rest, to suck gas into the cylinders, to prime them for that compression start event.

04-04-2016, 10:34 AM	#1
vern hodgson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: langley, wa. Posts: 642	Choking the T How many turns should the choke be opened in cold starting? secondly, does the t carbuertor have a float and should I look there to correct dripping gas? Trying to tame my t so I feel comfortable driving it. Vern

04-04-2016, 06:07 PM	#3
Royce P Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa OK Posts: 476	Re: Choking the T Totally agree. I don't mess with the mixture adjustment once I figure out where the best place is. I pull the crank up four times with the choke pulled and the key off. Pull the throttle down about 1/4 of the way. Turn on the key and you should get a free start if the timing is set correctly. __________________ 1910 Touring 1914 Touring 1915 Touring 1917 Torpedo Runabout

04-04-2016, 06:35 PM	#4
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,100	Re: Choking the T I have an NH, and I find that I have to open the needle valve about half a turn for a cold start. I also have to do like Royce P said (pull the crank 4 times with the choke closed to prime the cylinders), but I also need the needle valve opened for it to stay running after a cold start. After a few seconds, I can close it down that half turn. I guess they're all a little different, and you're going to find what works best on your car.

04-04-2016, 09:53 PM	#5
vern hodgson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: langley, wa. Posts: 642	Re: Choking the T Thanks gentlemen for the info. I will play with it tomorrow.

04-26-2016, 04:11 PM	#7
tmodelman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: north central FL Posts: 580	Re: Choking the T Depends on how you set the timer rod for the ignition type. I For the electric starter T, the timer rod is set for the timer case to be at approx. 15 degrees past TDC, so you always retard the spark lever fully for battery start, putting the spark lever all the way up on the quadrant when starting. Keeps from breaking a Bendix spring or bending a starter shaft. For non-starter, magneto starting, the spark lever can be pulled down two or three clicks on the quadrant as the timer rod is usually bent to the timer case for a TDC position. That advance is needed for mag starts. On my battery T's, they can sit for a week or so in the garage. Most times get or almost get a compression start with a flick of the key to BAT. Helps to shut off the T for this, switching to OFF, then pull down the throttle lever, as the engine is coming to rest, to suck gas into the cylinders, to prime them for that compression start event.