1941 V8 appears to start but won't run

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DaveBPT

Member
Working on an 8BA flathead. Car sat for years and now I'm working to get it running. Sent the distributor and coil out for repair. Rebuilt fuel pump and got it car to run. Battery voltage at coil. Starter decided to quit so I had it rebuilt except for starter drive and spring which appeared to be working. The starter button also quit working but I can engage starter through solenoid.

Now the engine cranks briefly, appears to start running and starter kicks out and engine stops.
The starter button show continuity.

Looking for suggestions on where to look next.
TIA
Dave
 
Sounds like you have the electrical systems fixed. Tell us about the fuel. Are you choking/priming it to get the results you describe. May be not enough gas available in the carb to keep it running.
 
Make sure the power wire that feeds the dash is connected to the correct side of the starter solenoid (battery side).
 
Sounds like you are loosing voltage when you remove pressure on the starter button . As suggested, check solenoid wiring . As a temp check add a jumper from battery to coil resistor .
Did you remove any wires from the back of the ign switch? Recheck proper connections at that switch also .
 
can only take a wild stab at it, but i might suspect the carb is not choked properly for a cold start. i only say this because i'm a little surprised how often car owners below a certain age aren't aware of what a choke does, or how it works, or why it's needed and when and when not.

like a say a wild stab... :)
 
Battery voltage at coil, only when the distributor points are both open. If either close you should have about 3. to 4. volts at the coil terminal. The ignition resistor is connected??
Ignition circuit is from coil to resistor to ignition switch (coil) and to the side of the circuit breaker that is battery + all the time.
 
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solenoid.jpg
Picture of how the wiring should look.
 
Yes, you need another power source, feeding the coil separate from the solenoid to provide power through the dropping resistor. You seem to be powering the coil through the push button only when it is engaging the starter.

Al Hook
 
I need to switch the battery wire and wire to starter that are on the solenoid. Thanks, for the picture. I'll let you know if the solves the problem.
 
if the starter motor turns the engine over fast enough to start the engine. it is highly unlikely that any of the wiring involving the starting system is causing the engine to die afterward. as it plays no further part in the running of the engine once started.
 
It helps to have the wires in the correct locations. Switched the wires on the solenoid and it works like it should! I guess if I take wires off I should take a picture first.
Thanks for the help.
Dave
 
Dave, glad it was something simple. I have 42,46, and 48 Fords so it's easy to go look at another car to see if I did something wrong. Taking a picture would probably be cheaper!
 
hueyhoolihan said:
if the starter motor turns the engine over fast enough to start the engine. it is highly unlikely that any of the wiring involving the starting system is causing the engine to die afterward. as it plays no further part in the running of the engine once started.
Click to expand...

Huey, I think you misunderstood the issue. The source of his ignition circuit had been at the starter side of the solenoid, which disconnects when the starter is released.
 
ford38v8 said:
Huey, I think you misunderstood the issue. The source of his ignition circuit had been at the starter side of the solenoid, which disconnects when the starter is released.
Click to expand...

no question i could have misunderstood the nature of the problem...but i was simply going on the following sentence in post #1...

"Now the engine cranks briefly, appears to start running and starter kicks out and engine stops.".

emphasis on the "appears to start running" part. but hey, i can admit when i'm wrong...on occasion. ha
 
DaveBPT said:
I need to switch the battery wire and wire to starter that are on the solenoid. Thanks, for the picture. I'll let you know if the solves the problem.
Click to expand...

The solenoid is a switch operated when you push the start button. They work with the heavy gauge cables connected to either of the large terminals.

Als48 said:
Yes, you need another power source, feeding the coil separate from the solenoid to provide power through the dropping resistor. You seem to be powering the coil through the push button only when it is engaging the starter.
Al Hook
Click to expand...

The 46-48 wiring has no connection from the starter solenoid to the coil. The diagram below is what you need.

579914
 
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