1939 Ford sedan Cranks wont turn over

[rayro39]

It was starting and running a awhile back, but now it wont turn over.

All original equipment, including the lousy 6 volt system. I just had the carb rebuilt. It's getting gas.

Getting ready to turn this car into a yard fountain.

[Vics Stuff]

Have you checked for spark ?

[rayro39]

Engine cranks, but wont turn over to run. The 6v battery dies fast.

I have it on a charger. But have to wait an hour every time I go to try to start it again.

[rockfla]

Do you maybe have a short in your system? Do the cables arch and or pop when you connect them to a fully charged battery??? That would be my first check. There is nothing wrong with a "proper" and "proper performing" 6V system, mine has worked flawlessly now for over two years AS well they did for many many years of your cars life!!


IF you do not have a short, perhaps a picture of your battery cables might help, as most 6V systems and "past" owners use improper battery cables/sizes. NEXT you need to make sure ALL of the grounds are good and clean. Take the cables loose and clean to shinny metal all the contact points AS well as good clean battery terminals and battery post!!!


ALSO a proper check of the battery itself. You need to first check the cells of the battery with a hydrometer to make sure the cells are performing properly, even before putting a battery charger on it.

[51woodie]

How long is " a while back"? Batteries can deteriorate over a period of time, especially if they are not in regular use. A bad battery, bad battery connections, and wrong sized battery cables can all cause low voltage at the coil, and thus no spark. What voltage do you have at the battery after it is charged? It should be a bit over six volts. Some auto parts suppliers will do a free load test on your battery if you have no means to check it. If your battery is good, do you have any power at the coil with the key on? Those few checks are the basics.

[rayro39]

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rockfla - No arc or popping with the cables.

Even adding gas directing onto the carb, nothing.

51Woodie - Last time it ran was 3- 4 months ago. It originally had a thin battery cable, but I changed it. Made a big difference starting-wise. Thanks to one of the members here for that tip.

Battery is a year old. It has a strong crank. Just wont turn over. Even when I add gas to the carb directly.

[Chris in MA]

Check for spark while cranking. I had a similar issue on my 40. No spark and it turned out to be the ignition switch behind the steering column.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by rayro39

rockfla - No arc or popping with the cables.

Even adding gas directing onto the carb, nothing.

It has a strong crank. Just wont turn over.

I would FIRST check your battery and make sure you are working with a good solid battery. Have all three cells checked with hydrometer and make sure you don't have a dead cell or weak cell. Then you can start eliminating the potential of "other" issues dragging or draining your system down!!


AND what exactly does "It has a strong start but just won't turn over" mean??? I take from that....It is spinning OVER but just won't fire??? is it not spinning over or spinning over, very slowly???

[tubman]

See post #2 and post #7.

[rayro39]

tubman - All plugs have spark

[marko39]

next step is a compression check.

[sugarmaker]

Yes could be one or more stuck valves. Had this issue on a forklift engine for the first time several years ago. I was baffled. I had never had a engine with stuck valves. It does happen. Just remove plugs and place thumb over spark plug hole while someone cranks the engine over. If the compression doesnt force your thumb off then the valve/s may be stuck. They just wont run that way do to the fact air may be being pushed back into the intake and carb.
Worth a try and doesnt cost much.
Yes and get a harbor freight spark tester too.
Regards,
Chris

[jimTN]

6V works fine except when there is high resistance, usually a bad ground connection or use of 12v battery cables. It takes spark and gas to run and you say you have spark.............. With gas as it is today, there could be water in your gas, Pull the plugs and see what they look like. That will not find water but will show if they are fouled from the engine not starting when it was turning over slow.

[Seth Swoboda]

If you decide to sell the car I would be interested.

[ms fowler]

Maybe its me, but I wish we could agree on the vocabulary.

If the engine cranks, then it is "turning over"--that is the job of the starter. In my world those two terms mean the same.

Once it is cranking or turning over, you need only compression, fuel and spark at the right time. I agree with checking compression at this point, and stuck valves is likely.

[solidaxle]

I was confused also. Turning over and starting are two different things. It turns over but will not start is what's going on


Rayro39 says "ran 3-4 months ago". Did you deplete the old gas at that time? 3- 4 month old gas still should fire fine, but if it's very old fuel or you mixed it with new,
it's probably crap.



I assume no one touched the timing. If not, change the plugs and use some starting fluid. While the plugs are all out give it a compression test with a gauge or like some else suggested, put your finger over the spark plug hole and see if there's compression when it "Turns over"