trouble starting

Billy 1931 Model A

Billy 1931 Model A

Member
My A is restored and in very nice condition. She starts about half the time. I have new plugs and a new head installed by my restorer, a professional. I believe my starting problems are operator-error. I've read everything and tried everything: Spark lever up (retarded), throttle at half, GAV one turn open (CCW), full choke and no choke, the starter motor is turning her over, but she won't cough.

I have spark: this car ran two days ago. Fuel is dripping out of the air intake near the choke butterfly.

What am I doing wrong? Am I flooding her, or starving her of fuel?
 
Not sure if it would make much difference, but I only pull the hand throttle down about 1/4….not half. I open the GAV about 1/2 turn, then hit the starter….I don’t pull the choke out until after about 2-3 seconds, then only briefly, as it fires right up then. Every car is a bit different on these settings……
 
my car sat for 2 years, wouldnt start with fresh gas in the plugs.......


sprayed some carb cleaner in the carb exhaust and she fired right up. wouldnt stay running. the ethanol gas has everything gummed up. will do a carb swap today.


try a shot of the carb cleaner and no choke. she should immed fire.
 
Flooded. Try a little bit of advance, 2 clicks. Open up the throttle full. Close down the GAV. After it starts close down the throttle for a fast idle and open up the GAV for a smooth run. Gradually close down the GAV to your normal running position as the engine warms up. You may also want to close the gas valve until it starts.

If that does not work try the starter fluid to see if there is a problem with gas flow.
 
If you are using E-10 gas you might have water in your carburetor bowl. I frequently had this problem until I started using E-Free gas. Just drain the bowl and see if it will start.
 
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