The Ford Barn

MotownMachine · 04-22-2023, 07:03 AM

Hi all,

I moved last summer was not able to take my 'A' with me right away. The car has not fully run since August, but was running fine before then. Now that I can move the car, I can't get it to start.

In the past if my A wouldn't start, I always found the problem in the electrical as I'm sure most of you have. This time the battery is almost brand new and fully charged, I have 6 Volts at both sides of the coil, distributor wire is OK, points are clean, plugs are clean, distributor is greased, air filter is clean, oil is clean and full.

By now I am chasing gremlins and nothing seems to get it going. It turns over all right and every now and then I get a few kicks out the engine like it wants to start, but it never does. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

dave in australia · 04-22-2023, 07:28 AM

Old fuel maybe.

CT Jack · 04-22-2023, 08:04 AM

Clean the points. Place a small piece of 220 grit paper between the point contact surfaces. They probably have some surface corrosion on them which is nonconductive. We have started many old idle engines this way.

eagle · 04-22-2023, 08:11 AM

Very first thing to check when it will turn over and not fire is spark. Lift a couple of the spark plug straps so there is a small gap between it and the plug, turn the ignition switch on, and run the starter by hand from under the hood. You should see a nice hot blue spark jump the gap at a consistent rate. If not, then start the troubleshooting, most likely points need cleaning but CHECK THIS FIRST.

Gene F · 04-22-2023, 07:40 PM

Try what is recomended in post #3. If that does not work get a can of wd-40, or as a last resort either. A small shot and be ready to step on the starter. If it kicks you know the ignition is fine, and the fuel system is the issue. And vice versa. You need to get a direction, or you will chase your tail for a long time.

And before everyone starts screaming...It's just a small amount for diagnosis!!!!!!!

SDJason · 04-22-2023, 07:47 PM

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Did you drain all the fuel out of the carb before leaving it parked (i.e. turn off the shutoff valve and let the engine run until it dies)?
A lot of gunk can develop if there was fuel in there that evaporated over time.

MotownMachine · 04-23-2023, 05:37 AM

Got it running! Ended up sanding the points again, resetting the gap, and adjusting the rotor height. As soon as it kicked, I pulled the accelerator down all the way, and it started up and stayed running at idle

Big hammer · 04-23-2023, 07:32 AM

Thanks for the report, get out drive it !

04-22-2023, 07:03 AM	#1
MotownMachine Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 6	Starting After Sitting Hi all, I moved last summer was not able to take my 'A' with me right away. The car has not fully run since August, but was running fine before then. Now that I can move the car, I can't get it to start. In the past if my A wouldn't start, I always found the problem in the electrical as I'm sure most of you have. This time the battery is almost brand new and fully charged, I have 6 Volts at both sides of the coil, distributor wire is OK, points are clean, plugs are clean, distributor is greased, air filter is clean, oil is clean and full. By now I am chasing gremlins and nothing seems to get it going. It turns over all right and every now and then I get a few kicks out the engine like it wants to start, but it never does. Any suggestions? Thanks!

04-22-2023, 07:28 AM	#2
dave in australia Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,177	Re: Starting After Sitting Old fuel maybe.

04-22-2023, 08:11 AM	#4
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Starting After Sitting Very first thing to check when it will turn over and not fire is spark. Lift a couple of the spark plug straps so there is a small gap between it and the plug, turn the ignition switch on, and run the starter by hand from under the hood. You should see a nice hot blue spark jump the gap at a consistent rate. If not, then start the troubleshooting, most likely points need cleaning but CHECK THIS FIRST. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

04-22-2023, 07:40 PM	#5
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,975	Re: Starting After Sitting Try what is recomended in post #3. If that does not work get a can of wd-40, or as a last resort either. A small shot and be ready to step on the starter. If it kicks you know the ignition is fine, and the fuel system is the issue. And vice versa. You need to get a direction, or you will chase your tail for a long time. And before everyone starts screaming...It's just a small amount for diagnosis!!!!!!!

04-22-2023, 07:47 PM	#6
SDJason Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 443	Re: Starting After Sitting Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Did you drain all the fuel out of the carb before leaving it parked (i.e. turn off the shutoff valve and let the engine run until it dies)? A lot of gunk can develop if there was fuel in there that evaporated over time.

04-22-2023, 08:04 AM	#3
CT Jack Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hebron, CT Posts: 432	Re: Starting After Sitting Clean the points. Place a small piece of 220 grit paper between the point contact surfaces. They probably have some surface corrosion on them which is nonconductive. We have started many old idle engines this way.

04-23-2023, 05:37 AM	#7
MotownMachine Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 6	Re: Starting After Sitting Got it running! Ended up sanding the points again, resetting the gap, and adjusting the rotor height. As soon as it kicked, I pulled the accelerator down all the way, and it started up and stayed running at idle

04-23-2023, 07:32 AM	#8
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Starting After Sitting Thanks for the report, get out drive it ! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done