Preferred Starting procedure

[Licensed to kill]

So, I just bought another Model A (my fourth) but my first stock model A. Just wondering what the preferred starting procedure is for these things. I expect each engine be somewhat unique so i will have to "fine tune" my procedure but just wondering where is a good place to start (no pun intended) regarding spark, throttle, choke.

 

[Scottio57]

Good sources on YouTube. Make sure you are in neutral. Spark , lever on the left, all the way up. Throttle, lever on the right, cracked open just a little. Gas valve on. Key on. Pull choke and hold. Push starter, after a few turns release choke. Engine should start. Lower spark lever about the 9:00 position.

 

[mike657894]

Turn on fuel. Turn on power disconect. Spark lever full retard(up). Set hand throttle to 10%. Turn gav out 1 turn. Check for nuetral. I then bump my horn button to check for voltage(just my routine). Turn on key. Press starter. Pull out choke full for one second. Then flutter it after it fires for a few seconds to keep it alive. Then slow the hand throttle back to a nice idle and bring the advance down to middle. Release hand brake. After about 20 seconds mine is warm enough to drive off. Turn gav in to 1/8 to 1/4 open. Set hand throttle to 0. when your getting up to higher speeds you may want to add more advance.

 

[Bob C]

Start with the owners manual.
http://www.motormayhem.net/wp-uploads/2009/04/Model-A-Instruction-Manual.pdf

Bob

 

[Licensed to kill]

turn gav out 1 turn.

"gav" would be?????????

 

[Roger Green]

GAV = the choke knob also turns. To start twist it counter clock wise 1360 degrees. After the engine start turn it clockwise 270 degrees.
Random ROG

 

[Scottio57]

Twisty thing on choke. Turn right to close, left to open.

 

[Simonpie]

I then bump my horn button to check for voltage(just my routine).

I like this one. Volt meters can't tell you if a battery is unable to support a load. For instance, a corroded terminal will still show 6V sitting, but drop a lot when a load is applied. The horn takes a pretty significant draw. If your "Ahooga" turns into a sick calf bleat, you may know you'll have starting problems before they happen.

 

[RawhideKid]

Mine is so fine tuned, I back in the car, lay down across the seats, open the gas valve under the tank, sit up, finish entering the car, turn key on, step on starter button, fires off quicker than my modern.

Now, I have a stock engine with stock points and a stock Zenith carb, but I do have a Nu-Rex centrifugal advance. I use no additional throttle and let the auto advance do it's job.

You too can have this ease of starting, just keep the carb clean, and points adjusted to .020.

I don't exactly remember, since it has been so long since I adjusted it, but I think the GAV is open ¼ turn, maybe ½ turn, but no further.

And yes, I run the crap gas. That's all we can get in Ca.

 

[700rpm]

"gav" would be?????????

Gas Adjusting Valve, part of the choke mechanism.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

"gav" would be?????????

Idle enrichment for cold starts. I open mine 1 to 1 1/2 turns for the first start of the day, then within a couple minutes I lightly close the valve. Some leave it 1/4 turn open.

 

[Mike V. Florida]

Start with the owners manual.
http://www.motormayhem.net/wp-uploads/2009/04/Model-A-Instruction-Manual.pdf

Bob

What Bob said!

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

FIRST, make SURE you have your DRIVERS' LISCENSE, just in case it STARTS! ! !
SA Bill W.

 

[Chippy Minton]

Mine is so fine tuned, I back in the car, lay down across the seats, open the gas valve under the tank, sit up, finish entering the car, turn key on, step on starter button, fires off quicker than my modern.

Now, I have a stock engine with stock points and a stock Zenith carb, but I do have a Nu-Rex centrifugal advance. I use no additional throttle and let the auto advance do it's job.

You too can have this ease of starting, just keep the carb clean, and points adjusted to .020.

I don't exactly remember, since it has been so long since I adjusted it, but I think the GAV is open ¼ turn, maybe ½ turn, but no further.

And yes, I run the crap gas. That's all we can get in Ca.

No choke? Doesn't sound well tuned to me.

 

[ktkamm]

No choke? Doesn't sound well tuned to me.

Even as a relatively new member, I know it is time to grab the popcorn, sit back and watch the show!

 

[Jacksonlll]

OK, here is my chapter to this saga. The video I made on the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlqz7cTBYq0

 

[updraught]

Gas Adjusting Valve, part of the choke mechanism.

Carburetor Adjusting Rod "CAR" in the manual.

I guess here it could be called the PAV on the steering column.

 

[JBill]

I found where my car likes the GAV set, and haven't touched it since. But I'm running a Tillotson carb, which might make a difference.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Except on coldest days, Minerva always started with NO CHOKE!
Bill W.

 

[Licensed to kill]

OK, here is my chapter to this saga. The video I made on the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlqz7cTBYq0

I watched the video but no mention of the "gav". The guy I bought the car from admitted that he didn't know much about them and only drove it around the farm a bit. When he went to start it I asked why he didn't turn the fuel on and he said that he never closes the fuel valve but rather, closes off the fuel with the choke knob al, the way clockwise, then open the fuel by turning it all the way counterclockwise. Didn't seem right to me but might explain why it runs rough and seems to run rich.