hard starting cold

Mike

Mike

Well-known member
Good morning,
Does anyone sell <super starter> for a 1919 Model T ? This car I am working on is very hard to start when cold. After the car is started and warmed up it starts fine. The starter draw is slightly high but is acceptable, the owner of the car is not interested in jacking the car up each time he wants to use the car.

Mike
 
Your last sentence put a stopper on my idea. My car starts hard too, and about lurches through the garage wall if it's really cold outside.
 
Making sure all connections are clean & tight sometimes makes a difference. The correct heavy battery cables also are necessary.

A known good battery would be a good test as well.

The solder joint in the starter where the terminal post fastens inside can get weak & cause a loss of starting ability.

Does he leave the car parked with the brake lever fully forward? This will squeeze the thick oil out of the clutch & make it easier to start cold. Pull the brake lever back just before cranking.
 
Jack,
The battery is new, I will try leaving the brake handle full forward

Thanks,
Mike
 
Mike, have you checked the clutch adjustment? I just had the same thing an a TT in the shop here. Turns out his adjustment bolt had worn down so far it was nowhere near long enough to operate correctly.
 
I did check the clutch adjustment, the car shifts very well and neurtral is dead center. I will take a look again and call you

Thanks,
Mike
 
Clean every connection. Ground strap to frame. Battery cable to switch. Switch to starter (both ends). Some need a ground strap from frame to engine block. Many overlook this and chase their tails. Clean each one and be sure they are good.
 
Since you don't say it's cranking slowly but instead it's hard to start I'm going in another direction. Coils: are they properly set up with an HCCT? New condensers ect? This will improve running and starting. Clean timer? How's your carb setting? Finally the thing you may not want to hear: how's the compression? Low it'll be hard to start cold and easier when hot.
 
Check the internal clutch adjustment. There are three fingers on the clutch drum, each with an adjusting screw, and these often get neglected. All the external and band adjustments in the world won't compensate for it. If you're having to jack a wheel, you don't have a good neutral. When you crank by hand, your neutral should be almost as good as a car with a regular selective sliding transmission.
 
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What carb is installed? I've read that some of the models of carbs were more difficult to start a cold engine with. I believe the Holley NH is a good cold starting carb.
 
Thank you everyone for all of your suggestions !! I put a slow charge on the battery and check / cleaned ALL wire connections. Cranked engine with key off for 6 revolutions, then turned key on cranked again and the car started right up.

Thanks again,
Mike
 
If you have a good Kingston or NH you might try one to see if you can start it quicker. Are you using the choke to prime the motor? Are you opening the spray needle a bit ? Are you opening the throttle when priming?
 
Cold engine startability problems point to poor gas atomization (converting liquid gas to gas vapor for firing). When the engine is warm atomization of the liquid gas occurs quickly for restarts. Chokes allow extra gas into the cylinders when engines are cold. Try switching carburetors. Also insure your spark lever is adjusted properly and that you are providing a few notches of advance on the lever. This will aid in starting poorly atomized gas
 
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