Newbie asks: Correct starting procedure @ 1 mile elevation

BillEbob

BillEbob

Senior Member
Albuquerque is 5,280 feet above sea level. What position for "spark" and lean/rich setting for carburetor. I was told that Jack Bahm's instructions are appropriate for sea level. If so, procedure for 5,280 feet?

Bill
 
I don't know that it makes much difference your elevation as far as starting. But you always want to put your spark all the way up-no advance. You can then see where to set the GAV to figure out what works best for your car. Good luck!
 
If I were @ 5,000 Ft, I'd jist coast down in SECOND, CLUTCH it & get a "FREE" start:D
I do it in reverse, in my TILTED Driveway & tell folks it has an OPTIONAL, SILENT, INERTIA Starter:eek: "Maybe" that's why NOBODY ever comes over:confused:--Model As are supposed to be FUN:D--I love to tell someone something "funny" & they LAFF, 12 minutes LATER:rolleyes:
Bill Eccentric
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
If I were @ 5,000 Ft, I'd jist coast down in SECOND, CLUTCH it & get a "FREE" start:D
I do it in reverse, in my TILTED Driveway & tell folks it has an OPTIONAL, SILENT, INERTIA Starter:eek: "Maybe" that's why NOBODY ever comes over:confused:--Model As are supposed to be FUN:D--I love to tell someone something "funny" & they LAFF, 12 minutes LATER:rolleyes:
Bill Eccentric
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Bill, it's been 13 and I'm still not laughing!


LOL!
 
Fred K-OR said:
I don't know that it makes much difference your elevation as far as starting. But you always want to put your spark all the way up-no advance. You can then see where to set the GAV to figure out what works best for your car. Good luck!
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THAT'S what the gentleman was referring to, too little advance! HE stated I should try starting it 1/3 to 1/2 way down!!

Just didn't sound right to me, but at day 3 of Model A ownership, what do I know?!

LOL

Bill
 
BillEbob said:
THAT'S what the gentleman was referring to, too little advance! HE stated I should try starting it 1/3 to 1/2 way down!!

Just didn't sound right to me, but at day 3 of Model A ownership, what do I know?!

LOL

Bill
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If you have the spark advanced, the engine will "kick back" and mess up your starter. That is why you put the lever all the way up. The amount of "kick back" will depend also on how your timing is set. If the timing is to advanced, you will get more "kick back" with the lever down. After your rig warms up, If your rig will not run at an idle, with the lever all the way up, then you have either a need for a timing adjustment, an idle adjustment or you need to open or close your GAV. (gas adjustment valve)

Anyway if you don't already have a book on how to run your A, it may be a good idea to purchase one. The books will give you a lot of valid information rather than reading stuff from old guys like me that don't know much. Have fun with your A!
 
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I use to live at 10,560 ft but didn't have my A then.
At higher altitudes you don't have as much air so I would think you would close the GAV.
 
I live at 5400 ft. Turn on the gas valve at tank. (always turn it off when the car is not running) I put the advance all the way up and turn the GVA to3/4 turn open and press the starter while holding choke out. Once it is running I advance the timing about 1 inch to smooth out the warm up when it is cold,25degrees this morning. I don't give my 31 to much gas until I know I have good oil circulation. Once it is warmed up I turn the GVA to half open.This my 57th year with Model As and I still talk to them at start up.
 
Hey Bill, when I was 15, my A had a slipping clutch. I had a guy convinced that I had an automatic trans.
 
I grew up in Denver, same altitude. Dad had a T and my cousin a couple A's. No difference in starting any of them between Denver and Philly where I live now - spark all the way up, throttle halfway down, mixture a half turn rich, pull out choke and crank. Release the choke when she starts and close the mixture slowly as she warms up. Each car has a slightly different mixture setting it likesto run at - the cars in Denver tended to like the mixture a little leaner, but not sure it was ever really significant.
 
Neube

The GAV adjustments and the carburetor are like woman,they all need to be tuned to make them happy.They also don't care how high or low you are.
 
I think the most important "take-away" from this thread is to always have the spark advance lever all the way up (retarded) whenever starting, regardless of altitude. Other than that, I doubt there are any special altitude related correct procedures. I think you just have to get used to your car and get to know it.

A friend of mine makes it a habit to push the spark advance lever to the top position whenever he turns the car off. It think that's a good move.
 
Thanks all! I too have not changed from the way that Jack Bahm demonstrated in his YouTube video. I was afraid to damage car if club member was correct in his remonstrance of my starting technique!

Cheers!
Bill
 
I just finished a tour up to 6,000 ft. Standard starting procedure. It did like to run leaner due to alt. Car ran well. Less spark advance when climbing those hills!
 
I never considered the fuel burning slower. When I was training for my private pilots license I thought it very interesting that you have to lean the gas out as you gained altitude and also watch exhaust gas temps to know you weren't to lean.

Remember the tv commercial that at the end would say "The more you know"?

Frank Miller said:
This might help. Overall you might need 2 more degrees advance at most. I do not believe that is enough to affect starting your motor. The theory is the fuel burns slower at high altitude.
http://amarillo.com/stories/012200/whe_conditions.shtml#.WhVuIlWnGUk
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Read the instruction book (Owners Manual)

Very good info on starting and where the spark lever needs to be

I have run my Model A at over 10,000 ft.

No difference in starting, just run gas valve a little leaner

My opinion

Chris W
 
CWPASADENA said:
Read the instruction book (Owners Manual)

Very good info on starting and where the spark lever needs to be

I have run my Model A at over 10,000 ft.

No difference in starting, just run gas valve a little leaner

My opinion

Chris W
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My mantra: "WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, READ THE 'DESTRUCTIONS'❗"

lol 😂
Bill
 
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