The Ford Barn

jg61hawk · 05-18-2020, 07:27 PM

This started about a month ago....I crank it over with electric start and the motor is turning but suddenly it almost freezes with a hard "stop" but then continues to crank . This may happen once or several times before it starts.

I thought the battery may have been losing it's cranking amps as it was 6 years old, so I got a new dry cell 6 volt. Still doing it. I'm thinking I'll reset timing, but why would timing just fade away? Yes the spark is retarded on starting.

Thoughts

Thanks Jim

wmws · 05-18-2020, 07:44 PM

I would definitely check the timing. Maybe the screw holding the cam was not tight enough and the cam slipped.

Jacksonlll · 05-18-2020, 07:46 PM

Your lever may be up,but that distributor is not retarded. Check that linkage and make sure the cam is not rotating a little.

Gary WA · 05-18-2020, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jg61hawk

This started about a month ago....I crank it over with electric start and the motor is turning but suddenly it almost freezes with a hard "stop" but then continues to crank . This may happen once or several times before it starts.

I thought the battery may have been losing it's cranking amps as it was 6 years old, so I got a new dry cell 6 volt. Still doing it. I'm thinking I'll reset timing, but why would timing just fade away? Yes the spark is retarded on starting.

Thoughts

Thanks Jim

point cap may have closed up!

dumb person · 05-18-2020, 10:46 PM

If the hard stop is near TDC, it's probably the timing rater than a battery/starter.

Roxo · 05-19-2020, 07:53 AM

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I had this same problem when I first got my A. The battery cables were to small for a 6 volt system. It would turn over a few times then suddenly stop on the compression stroke. After a few times of that it would eventually start.
Just something else to try.
Good luck

katy · 05-19-2020, 09:08 PM

Quote:

I got a new dry cell 6 volt.

Can you elaborate? I don't think I've heard of them.

jg61hawk · 05-19-2020, 11:56 PM

KATY: The battery has no liquid acid in it, can't spill. Jim's Battery sells them to look exactly like original battery, but many makes are out there. Snyder's sells this version:

OPTIMA BATTERY 6V
A-10655-6
The Optima is a sealed battery so we are able to ship it within the U.S. by UPS or Federal Express.

I my have used the wrong term, "SEALED" it may be Glass Mat :---BU-201a: Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)
Learn what differentiate AGM from other lead acid battery types

AGM technology became popular in the early 1980s as a sealed lead acid battery for military aircraft, vehicles and UPS to reduce weight and improve reliability. The sulfuric acid is absorbed by a very fine fiberglass mat, making the battery spill-proof. This enables shipment without hazardous material restrictions.

At any rate it can't leak.

Bill G · 05-20-2020, 12:08 AM

Did the original issue get resolved? Curious minds are wondering....

katy · 05-20-2020, 10:47 AM

jg61hawk, got the picture, thanks for the info, Ken

jg61hawk · 05-20-2020, 11:58 PM

Bill G,,,Not sure yet....Today I used the Nu Rex tool and set timing and "step 3" extrta retard" for easy starting. Problem continued. I then did the manual old way and set timing with test light and by hand... I THINK the problem is gone...just not trusting yet...I'll always post the solution...may have a new situation too. Was running good than developed a backfire like an hour later....CONDENSER??? I'll post,

Patrick L. · 05-21-2020, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jg61hawk

Bill G,,,Not sure yet....Today I used the Nu Rex tool and set timing and "step 3" extrta retard" for easy starting. Problem continued. I then did the manual old way and set timing with test light and by hand... I THINK the problem is gone...just not trusting yet...I'll always post the solution...may have a new situation too. Was running good than developed a backfire like an hour later....CONDENSER??? I'll post,

Unrelated, you wouldn't happen to be a Studebaker owner are you ?

30 Closed Cab PU · 05-21-2020, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jg61hawk

Bill G,,,Not sure yet....Today I used the Nu Rex tool and set timing and "step 3" extrta retard" for easy starting. Problem continued. I then did the manual old way and set timing with test light and by hand... I THINK the problem is gone...just not trusting yet...I'll always post the solution...may have a new situation too. Was running good than developed a backfire like an hour later....CONDENSER??? I'll post,

Did the "backfire" sound like a shotgun out the exhaust, or was it more of a cough at the carb?

jg61hawk · 05-21-2020, 09:17 PM

Patrick L...Yes 61 hawk.

jg61hawk · 05-21-2020, 09:23 PM

The hard stop was apparently related to timing. The backfire was loud shotgun, actually neighbors came over.... I think I resolved that too. Long story: When I got the new battery (Jim' Auto battery formally Antique Auto battery) the instructions were very clear don't let it charge over 8 volts. I ended up moving the brush on the generator all the way up to only get 7 volts. At any rate generator was not charging the battery and when I checked the battery had only 6.02 running. I assume the low voltage was breaking down the spark system, because I upped the charge and things got all better.

Patrick L. · 05-22-2020, 03:58 AM

Glad its fixed. I happen to like Studebakers even more than 'As'. I was born in a Studebaker parts room.

05-18-2020, 07:27 PM	#1
jg61hawk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 402	Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks This started about a month ago....I crank it over with electric start and the motor is turning but suddenly it almost freezes with a hard "stop" but then continues to crank . This may happen once or several times before it starts. I thought the battery may have been losing it's cranking amps as it was 6 years old, so I got a new dry cell 6 volt. Still doing it. I'm thinking I'll reset timing, but why would timing just fade away? Yes the spark is retarded on starting. Thoughts Thanks Jim

05-18-2020, 07:44 PM	#2
wmws BANNED Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Coatesville, Pa Posts: 719	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks I would definitely check the timing. Maybe the screw holding the cam was not tight enough and the cam slipped.

05-18-2020, 07:46 PM	#3
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks Your lever may be up,but that distributor is not retarded. Check that linkage and make sure the cam is not rotating a little. Last edited by Jacksonlll; 05-19-2020 at 05:38 AM.

05-18-2020, 10:46 PM	#5
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks If the hard stop is near TDC, it's probably the timing rater than a battery/starter. __________________ <Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable

05-19-2020, 07:53 AM	#6
Roxo Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Kankakee, Illinois Posts: 225	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had this same problem when I first got my A. The battery cables were to small for a 6 volt system. It would turn over a few times then suddenly stop on the compression stroke. After a few times of that it would eventually start. Just something else to try. Good luck

05-19-2020, 11:56 PM	#8
jg61hawk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 402	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks KATY: The battery has no liquid acid in it, can't spill. Jim's Battery sells them to look exactly like original battery, but many makes are out there. Snyder's sells this version: OPTIMA BATTERY 6V A-10655-6 The Optima is a sealed battery so we are able to ship it within the U.S. by UPS or Federal Express. I my have used the wrong term, "SEALED" it may be Glass Mat :---BU-201a: Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) Learn what differentiate AGM from other lead acid battery types AGM technology became popular in the early 1980s as a sealed lead acid battery for military aircraft, vehicles and UPS to reduce weight and improve reliability. The sulfuric acid is absorbed by a very fine fiberglass mat, making the battery spill-proof. This enables shipment without hazardous material restrictions. At any rate it can't leak. Last edited by jg61hawk; 05-20-2020 at 12:03 AM.

05-20-2020, 12:08 AM	#9
Bill G Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Walla Walla, WA Posts: 1,045	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks Did the original issue get resolved? Curious minds are wondering....

05-20-2020, 10:47 AM	#10
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,042	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks jg61hawk, got the picture, thanks for the info, Ken __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

05-20-2020, 11:58 PM	#11
jg61hawk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 402	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks Bill G,,,Not sure yet....Today I used the Nu Rex tool and set timing and "step 3" extrta retard" for easy starting. Problem continued. I then did the manual old way and set timing with test light and by hand... I THINK the problem is gone...just not trusting yet...I'll always post the solution...may have a new situation too. Was running good than developed a backfire like an hour later....CONDENSER??? I'll post,

05-21-2020, 09:17 PM	#14
jg61hawk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 402	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks Patrick L...Yes 61 hawk.

05-21-2020, 09:23 PM	#15
jg61hawk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 402	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks The hard stop was apparently related to timing. The backfire was loud shotgun, actually neighbors came over.... I think I resolved that too. Long story: When I got the new battery (Jim' Auto battery formally Antique Auto battery) the instructions were very clear don't let it charge over 8 volts. I ended up moving the brush on the generator all the way up to only get 7 volts. At any rate generator was not charging the battery and when I checked the battery had only 6.02 running. I assume the low voltage was breaking down the spark system, because I upped the charge and things got all better.

05-22-2020, 03:58 AM	#16
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Cranking Then a Hard Stop...Then Cranks Glad its fixed. I happen to like Studebakers even more than 'As'. I was born in a Studebaker parts room.

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