Starting/Carburetor

G

GSCOV

Well-known member
So I bought a Flathead car from the west coast and had it shipped east. Ran fine when loaded. It now will not start unless starting fluid is used. Then runs, but needs choke out a bit or it dies. And will not restart either. Plenty of fuel getting to the glass bowl. Have not checked the inlet area yet. These are dual Stromberg 97s. It kinda points to the idle circuit? Not seeing any vacuum leaks, etc. Have driven it and has plenty of fuel getting in, but will not start on it's own. Looking for someone who KNOWS this kind of problem and could offer sound advice. Not looking for everyone to chime in on this one. Thanks in advance.
 
First thing: check that you are getting a blue or white spark that will jump at least 3/8" when cranking. Starter may be drawing down voltage to the coil.

Do you use progressive linkage or straight linkage on your dual 97's? What is the choke setup?
 
If this is your first flathead adventure be aware that they are notorious for "flooding".

More info and folks will help you get it started. Add a city/town to your info and you may find "flatheader" is right around the corner.

It's always fuel or spark. Do as drolston advised and also look down the carb throat and pump the throttle, is gas squirting in the carb?

Keep us posted, Chap
 
GS,
We tend to chime in, any and all advice from the heart.

If not done already join the V8 club, I'm looking a 3 pages of Connecticut
V8 club members. Help yourself.

Charlie ny
 
Something else to consider.......the fuel in the tank (from California?) could be old. That means the ethanol has separated to give you water on the bottom of the tank. You might try taking some from the carb to see if it is good fuel getting to it.
 
What air cleaners? Idle screws set how many turns out? Difference in altitude from where it was before? Mike
 
Hey guys, he doesn't want a conversation, he only wants to hear from the guy that knows exactly how to fix his problem. :rolleyes:
 
Phil Gillespie said:
drolston said:
First thing: check that you are getting a blue or white spark that will jump at least 3/8" when cranking. Starter may be drawing down voltage to the coil.



How does this happen? Just checked my engine and wondered about this.


Phil NZ
Click to expand...

Too high current draw to starter will drop voltage. Starter could be wearing out. That is bearings dragging or brushes worn and not making good contact. The more likely cause of voltage drop when starting is bad cables from battery to solenoid, to starter, and/or ground path from starter back to battery. Arcing solenoid also a possibility.
Click to expand...
 
drolston said:
Phil Gillespie said:
Too high current draw to starter will drop voltage. Starter could be wearing out. That is bearings dragging or brushes worn and not making good contact. The more likely cause of voltage drop when starting is bad cables from battery to solenoid, to starter, and/or ground path from starter back to battery. Arcing solenoid also a possibility.
Click to expand...


Appreciate that explanation.
Many thanks
Phil NZ
Click to expand...
 
I was going to ask if it will start after pouring a little fuel straight down the carb, but won't now, because I might not have the definitive answer.
 
I try to narrow problems down to (like keywords) which are ran fine when loaded, transported west coast to east coast, so 3,000 miles or so, bouncing around and who
knows whats in that gas tank? If you take the top of the carburetor, you may have a
surprise whats in the bottom. I would clean that and put a container with fresh gas hosed up to the fuel pump. worth a try. I also would give each cylinder a squirt of oil.
 
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