Starting a Model A

Kenjt

Kenjt

Member
I sold my last Model A about 24 years ago. I just purchased another one that will be delivered this Tuesday. I went for a test drive before purchasing the car - the owner drove. He did a lot more adjusting than I remember doing just to start the car, like adjusting the spark control rod and the carburetor adjusting rod. All I remember doing was opening the gas valve, checking the hand brake, making sure the shift was in neutral, and then turning the key and pressing the starter. What am I missing?
 
spark lever up when starting, then lower to the position the car likes other wise drive it!
 
Here is a link to a previous post...it's exactly what you want. Read the entire post the author "updates" the checklist.....

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167585&highlight=starting+checklist

I would like to say at the risk of being a heretic I never play with GAV. Mine is open like 1/2 turn and there it stays. You do what you want.

Get vendor's parts catalogs they have exploded drawings on most items and pictures...very useful...I'm editing this not predicting the future...but the next post by Brentwood Bob is an absolute must....also use the search on this forum...see I found the checklist from 2015...but then again I knew it was there somewhere! One more thing Kenjt I'm in Middletown and my friend also has an A so if you get stuck we have cars to look at and help you, I'm probably about 40 minutes to you. I'm no great mechanic like rebuilding engines and removing clutches but I can tune up a lawn mower so I can deal with these old birds! There is the heretic again. Best of luck and enjoy the car.....
 
Last edited:
Open fuel petcock under the tank.
Turn the key on
Spark lever all the way up
Throttle lever down about 5% or less
Open the GAV abt 1/4 turn.
Pull the choke lever back.
Push in on the clutch so that the starter does not "need" to rotate the transmission over too. Makes for just a very slight differenece in needed starter torque.
Step on the starter switch. After it fires, advance the spark lever a bit.

Once you do it a few times it's second nature. Sounds like a lot of work, but it just takes a few seconds once you get the hang of it.
 
Like I said originally, I owned a Model A for many years. I don't remember ever going through all the steps mentioned just to start my car. Like you said, I just started it and drove it every chance I got. It was always a Great Thrill. And, by the way, my 'new' one is Green.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top