Model T Hard to Start When Hot

E

Ed in Maine

Well-known member
My 1914 Model T is hard to start when it is hot. If it stalls for some reason, I
may have to wait an hour for it to cool off before it will restart. The car does not have a starter. I am using a NH carburetor. It does start with less than 10 pulls when it is cold. It does seem that there is less compression when it is hot. I have found that if I stop the car, it can be restarted easily within 5 minutes by either a free start or with the crank. But after that, it is going to be difficult to get the car running. Even with the choke, the car refuses to start. Is there anything that can be done to improve starting reliability after the car is hot and has been stopped for over 10 minutes. Thanks for your help, Ed
 
Don't use the choke when it is hot! Ethanol is more prone to vapor lock. Your car should be able to start with only a few pulls on the crank so go over the ignition system.
 
What is the compression, have you checked it?
Do you have good fuel flow too and out of carb?
When was the last time the coils were serviced?
Have you check for vacuum leaks?
 
All of the above especially have fresh coils. Something is obviously breaking down when things get hot, look for some frayed or loose wires near a heat source. Open up and clean that gas cap vent.

I barely use my choke to start when cold, and when running most days I'm getting free starts with my Brent Mize coils:D
 
Do you start on Mag or battery? Folks are correct about coils service. Coils that are on the minus side of condition can be problematic. It pays to have them checked out now and then. The magnets in the magneto can get weak on gauss but they either work or they don't as a general rule. The coils may need repairs or adjustments. They have condensers that can fail, points that can wear out, and internal coil windings can deteriorate and lose efficiency. Nothing lasts forever.
 
I had the same problem starting about 10yrs. ago. The car had started well for years
and all of a sudden it would not start when hot just as above. If I threw cold water
on the intake manifold it would then start.
I spoke with an engineer from Chevron and explained the problem. He told me that with
the new fuel blends it was causing some older cars to have to crank longer to start.
I explained that I was the starter and that wasn't going to cut it.
He suggested moving up to mid range fuel which is 89 octane in California.
Ever since then I haven't had a problem starting. Starts on a 1/4 turn again.

Just say'in......your results may vary
 
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