How do you start your A?

Mike V. Florida

Mike V. Florida

Well-known member
Simple question right? Yet, there seems to be variations on how to do it. I would like to hear step by step from when you sit in the seat for the first time that day up to when you place it in gear.

What knobs, levers, etc do you play with to get your Gal ready to move in first gear.

For me, I sit in the car, make sure both levers are up and gas valve on. The GAV is already at 1/8 to a 1/4 turn open. Parking brake on, ****** in neutral, clutch depressed. Turn on the key, press the starter, pull the choke for 1 or 1 1/2 seconds let go and she lights off. I tap the gas a little and lower the spark rod 1/4 way. Wait about 1/2 minute place in gear and release the brake.
 
1. As is always important, open the door and get in.
2. Get back out, go back to the house, retrieve the ignition keys, go back to the shed and get back in the car.
3. Place key in ignition, turn on.
4. Check that it is in neutral.
5. Open GAV one turn.
6. Ensure spark and throttle levers are up.
7. Pull up choke rod.
8. Place foot on starter.
9. Swear, then bend across to L/H side, lift up floor covering and battery hatch and turn on battery.
10. Sit up, and restart.
11. After two warumps, release choke and away it fires.
12. Turn in GAV to set a good pucka-ticka idle.
13. Place foot on clutch, slide it into reverse.
14. Back out of shed and get half way down drive.
15. Swear again, reach under tank and turn fuel on.
16. It's warm enough, so just touch the starter.
17. It fired right up, get out, close shed, get back in and drive it.
 
I turn the key and hit the starter pedal. Of course, mine is 12V and has a downdraft carb so, it'll start no matter where the advance is and there's no GAV to mess with, choking isnt required nor is turning the fuel valve off.

I'm not advocating making changes away from original, that's the way it was when I got it.
 
Slip and slide and whatever contortions it takes to get in, open fuel valve, left lever up, right lever down couple clicks, open GAV a bit while pulling on it, push down on the left pedal,step on the little button on the floor and release choke. Slide tall lever into backwards gear and release clutch. Once down the hill and around the barn pulling onto road close the GAV and head for town while raising the right lever and pulling down the left lever to about 8:30-9:00. 1-2 shift about 5-8 mph and 2-3 at about 15-18 mph and if no traffic is holding me back, then its break-neck speed of about 40-45 mph to city limit with the wind blowing thru what hair I have left.
 
Get in, turn on the cut off switch, turn on the gas, spark up, throttle down 3 clicks, turn on the key switch, trans in neutral, no pressure on the clutch pedal, to prevent wear to the thrust bearing before oil gets there, press on the starter pedal while holding up the choke rod for one revolution of the engine, then releasing, after which the car starts and idles.
 
dave in australia said:
1. As is always important, open the door and get in.
2. Get back out, go back to the house, retrieve the ignition keys, go back to the shed and get back in the car.
3. Place key in ignition, turn on.
4. Check that it is in neutral.
5. Open GAV one turn.
6. Ensure spark and throttle levers are up.
7. Pull up choke rod.
8. Place foot on starter.
9. Swear, then bend across to L/H side, lift up floor covering and battery hatch and turn on battery.
10. Sit up, and restart.
11. After two warumps, release choke and away it fires.
12. Turn in GAV to set a good pucka-ticka idle.
13. Place foot on clutch, slide it into reverse.
14. Back out of shed and get half way down drive.
15. Swear again, reach under tank and turn fuel on.
16. It's warm enough, so just touch the starter.
17. It fired right up, get out, close shed, get back in and drive it.
Click to expand...


Thanks Dave - I got a good laugh out of this ! Some days this is my routine too - usually when I'm in a hurry ! :p
 
pretty much what everyone has mentioned. I have a habit of checking oil dip stick, water in the rad at the right level and gas. I also check the engine compartment to make sure everything looks ok and hood clamps are on. My engines don't lose or leak water but I still feel like I have to check to make sure before heading out.
 
1. Sit down
2. Turn on gas
3. Spark up
4. Throttle 3 clicks down
5. GAV closed (I rarely open it)
6. Ignition on
7. Pull choke
8. Step on starter
9. Release choke 1/2 second later
10. Tap accellerator when engine fires
11. Spark 1/3 down
12. Tap accellerator a few more times
 
They're all a little different. A couple common steps:

1. Check neutral
2. Check spark lever up, throttle down about a third
3. Check ignition on
4. Pull out on the choke and hit the starter
5. Release the choke as she starts
6. Pull down on the spark about half-way
7. Slowly close the throttle as she warms up
8. Get, "the look" from my daughter as she stalls
9. Reach under and turn the gas on
10. Repeat.

On the Woody - GAV open about a half turn, spark a couple clicks down
On the AA - GAV open about a turn, close half way as soon as she starts
On the Pickup - GAV open about a turn, slowly close down
On the Roadster - GAV open a half turn, slowly close down
On the Town Sedan - don't touch the GAV or she won't start period
 
Reach though pasenger side window turn gass on, turn key on, Pull choke hold open with spring clamp. Walk to other side of car timing advanced 1 click from full retard and thoughel 4 clicks down. walk to front of car. Insert hand crank. two prime cranks. walk back to pasenger side remove sping clamp holding choke. go to front. one start crank. now running walk back to drivers side and advance timing 25% Let Warm. get in and on i go. (no time to figure out why my bat keeps dieing. )
 
option A

turn fuel on
turn ignition on
throttle lever down few clicks
spark lever retard
put foot on brake
put in neutral
push clutch in
let roll down driveway
put in 2nd
release clutch
quick choke and fire her up when she reaches 5mph

or option B

have wife come out and hand crank car
 
matt92vr4 said:
Newbie question...What/where is the GAV? I searched but came up empty. Thanks!
Click to expand...

That's the choke knob, which is pulled for the choke, but turned counter clockwise to enrichen the fuel mixture during cold starts. I turn mine open 1 turn for cold starts ONLY, then close it after 30 seconds.
 
LOL, mine is the same as Dave's except that I have to lift the passenger side hood to turn on the gas before anything else. Its a late 31.
 
I just follow the owners manual, only I tend to leave the GAV at 1/4 turn all the time, if it is really cold I will richen it a bit more.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
That's the choke knob, which is pulled for the choke, but turned counter clockwise to enrichen the fuel mixture during cold starts. I turn mine open 1 turn for cold starts ONLY, then close it after 30 seconds.
Click to expand...
Tom,
I thought GAV was Russian for "CHOKE" on their GAZ replicas of "Model A's" Gotta go EAT, I think my brain just "DIED"!:eek: Bill W.
 
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