The Ford Barn

Mad Mac · 08-15-2014, 04:16 PM

Two strange things happened yesterday. Firstly when the motor was off I retarded the spark and had a "phantom start". Fortunately she was out of gear at the time. This was recently mentioned in another thread, but even after a lifetime with Model As I had never actually experienced it before. Secondly after warming the engine up for 2 minutes as I normally do, I set off down my driveway only to have the motor stop after 100 meters. That is unusual as she is normally very reliable. It soon became apparent that the carby was flooded, as she eventually started, after cranking her over for a while using full throttle. Strange though, that she should flood like that after warming up smoothly for 2 minutes immediately beforehand. Anyone got any ideas about that? Its a stock standard '29 RPU.

tbirdtbird · 08-15-2014, 04:21 PM

needle and seat...speck of crud in there

nickair · 08-16-2014, 02:06 AM

Phantom start: One possibility may be some carbon buildup that remained hot enough to ignite the cylinder. Not sure if that is the issue of course, although that does happen on aircraft at times. Just a thought.

Mike V. Florida · 08-16-2014, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdtbird

needle and seat...speck of crud in there

My thoughts also

gridleak · 08-17-2014, 10:16 AM

Similar to a model T free start. When you move the spark lever the points could open and fire the plug and the car will start, depends on what position the points are at when the engine was stopped.

gridleak · 08-17-2014, 10:23 AM

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This happens occasionally in T models where the firing of the coils is continual if the engine stops with the timer contacts made. It happens in A models only when the points closed when the engine stops and open when the spark control is moved

08-15-2014, 04:16 PM	#1
Mad Mac Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Zealand Posts: 366	Strange events Two strange things happened yesterday. Firstly when the motor was off I retarded the spark and had a "phantom start". Fortunately she was out of gear at the time. This was recently mentioned in another thread, but even after a lifetime with Model As I had never actually experienced it before. Secondly after warming the engine up for 2 minutes as I normally do, I set off down my driveway only to have the motor stop after 100 meters. That is unusual as she is normally very reliable. It soon became apparent that the carby was flooded, as she eventually started, after cranking her over for a while using full throttle. Strange though, that she should flood like that after warming up smoothly for 2 minutes immediately beforehand. Anyone got any ideas about that? Its a stock standard '29 RPU.

08-15-2014, 04:21 PM	#2
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Strange events needle and seat...speck of crud in there __________________ '31 180A

08-16-2014, 02:06 AM	#3
nickair Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Oregon Posts: 132	Re: Strange events Phantom start: One possibility may be some carbon buildup that remained hot enough to ignite the cylinder. Not sure if that is the issue of course, although that does happen on aircraft at times. Just a thought. __________________ Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. L.D. I have 40 horses in the garage. Only feed them when I want to take them out. 31 Model A Tudor 55B Nick

08-17-2014, 10:16 AM	#5
gridleak Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: bozeman mt Posts: 170	Re: Strange events Similar to a model T free start. When you move the spark lever the points could open and fire the plug and the car will start, depends on what position the points are at when the engine was stopped.

08-17-2014, 10:23 AM	#6
gridleak Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: bozeman mt Posts: 170	Re: Strange events Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This happens occasionally in T models where the firing of the coils is continual if the engine stops with the timer contacts made. It happens in A models only when the points closed when the engine stops and open when the spark control is moved