How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Just bought a 54 Meteor Skyliner, been parked for possibly 25 or 30 years. It has a 239 flathead in it, that my friend started with a 12 volt battery when I picked it up. He had a hard time starting it, but once it did start, it ran nice and smooth, no smoke or noise at all. Had nothing in the cooling system so he shut it down after maybe 30 seconds.

The car was a deal I couldn't refuse, and I'm thrilled to have it. Needs body work, and some other things. Now I'm trying to start it with a 6 volt battery and it just wont even sputter. Checked compression, and they were all 50 to 65 PSI. I added oil to a couple of them, and they went up to 75. I suspect the rings are stuck from sitting. Engine is totally clean outside, like not a spec of dirt/grease/oil top to bottom. Almost like it was rebuilt many years ago. The history of the car is pretty much unknown.

I checked the points and all is good there, lots of spark. I tore the carb apart last night, fully cleaned it as it was a bit corroded/gummed up. Still wouldn't start.

The solenoid was getting hot, and then broke when I tightened it up so I bought a new one today and will replace it tonight along with cleaning up all the connections. It seemed to turn over slow for a 6 volt, my other car (54 Meteor, original 255 flathead) spins a lot faster.

Am I on the right track with the solenoid and cleaning the connections? I'm new to 6 volt cars, and I LOVE THEM. Haha.

My hope is to get it so I can start it without issues, and then once I fill the cooling system, let it run for long periods, that woke up my other 54 last year real nice. It was even "seized" but is now one of the nicest running flatheads around.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

If 12 v will start it, why not do that to warm it up. You can install 6v battery to work the ignition but use jumper cables from a 12v battery to spin the starter. Once you get the gum out 6v may do the job.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Good idea, makes perfect sense. I'll give that a try first.

Just realized I posted in the wrong forum, sorry about that.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

I got it started on 6V using ether! It runs very nice now. However, the new solenoid they gave me doesn't work right. I have to push the button on the solenoid, using the key doesn't start this solenoid, it just buzzed for a while, now it does nothing. Its a Standard SS558. I looked up that part number and it said it was for a 1950 Ford. The 51 to 54 Fords are supposed to have SS571. What's the difference?

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Is the Meteor a Canadian Ford? I thought 1954 was the first year for the Y block V8.
I have a 1954 Ford 2 dr. sedan original car, it has a 239 c.i. Y block V8. Did not know
a 54 Ford came with a flathead. Learn something new every day.


P.S. Also thought 1953 was the last year for the Flathead.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

rj, I have a Napa Echlin ST62 six volt solenoid I bought by mistake. (I will never have a use for it!!) It is for a key switch ignition. If you can use it, I'll send it to you for free, and I'll pay the postage...assuming you're in a US location. If you can use it, send me a PM with your address.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Canada kept flathead and king pin suspension for an extra year. A friend mistakenly installed a 12 volt starter on a 55 Ford. It turned over very slow and needed jump start.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Yep, Canadian Fords got flatheads one more year.

I let it run for about a half hour last night. Still will only fire up on ether. After cleaning connections, it turns over better now. I definitely have the wrong solenoid, must be for push button start.

I am in Canada otherwise I would take up your offer RKS. I can get one locally, it will just take a couple of days.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Thanks for the info, did not know about the flathead.:)

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

After you get it running you might try to free up the rings (assuming they are stuck) by either slowing dripping ATF down the carb. Don't do it in a garage, it will smoke like hell. Seafoam is another option either down the carb and/or in the gas tank. I'd try the ATF route if it was me. Of course, others will have other opinions as well.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Good idea about the atf down the carb. I already have MMO in the tank and the oil. Hopefully tonight I get some time to work on it after the wife's wish list haha.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

I didn't either, but I recently saw a flathead powered '54 Meteor online somewhere, so that seems to verify the engine was available in Canada in '54. I'd heard a long time ago that they still used the flathead in pickup trucks in Canada in '54 (Mercury maybe?) but apparently they used it in the Meteors, too.


I agree about learning something new every day.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Update: I can start it without ether! Have to pump the gas, but it will start fine on it's own. Installed the correct solenoid. Compression test before I ran the engine was all cylinders between 50 and 65 PSI. After starting it on ether yesterday and running it until warm, they all went up to between 70 and 80!

Now I can start it on gas, even when it's warm I have to pump it two times, but it runs. It will stall putting it into Drive, but I was able to drive it around the subdivision! Needs some suspension work, but the trans works very nice surprisingly. Have yet to put ATF down the carb, but at least I can start this thing and move it around no problem.

The thermostats are either stuck open, or opening too soon. It never really gets hot enough, only about 140. I also suspect a vacuum leak, if you cup your hand over the carb a little, it smooths out a bit.

Thanks for your help so far guys, I'm looking forward to working on this Skyliner!

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Ok, this is almost a high compression flathead now. Four cylinders are 105/110, and the worst cylinder is 85psi. They are all coming back from 50/60!!

Now, I'm trying to figure out why it is still hard to start. You have to pump the gas quite a few times, hot or cold to get it to start. Once the engine warms up, it will idle, a bit rough. When you cup your hand over the carb, it smooths out and picks up speed. Intake gasket leak?

I sprayed carb cleaner at the throttle shaft, and I do hear a bit of a change, but not that much.

Anyone had luck reusing an intake gasket? Thinking of pulling the intake and having a look, can't get a new gasket for a number of days. Use some rtv?

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

First, I would check the vacuum hoses, and fittings around the bottom of the carb for leaks. If all is well there, order your new intake and carb gasket. Leave the rtv on the shelf. Clean both surfaces very well, then wipe them both down with a liquid cleaner and let them dry. clean all the intake bolts on a wire wheel and run a thread chaser down all the block holes. I like to spray WD 40 or similar on the new gaskets, and oil the bolt threads lightly. Torque them evenly from the center out, final torque should be about 25 to 30.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

You're right, I know better than to use RTV lol. I did check for vacuum hose leaks, they have been removed and plugged so no leaks there. I'll be pulling the intake today. The way the rest of the engine accessories were installed (all with loose bolts) I wouldn't be surprised if I find loose intake bolts.

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

If the engine is hard to restart and requires a lot of pumping the accelerator, it needs either the accelerator pump in the carb repaired or an operating choke.

Try looking down the carb while operating the throttle (engine off!) and see if you get a nice stream of fuel squirting in. If not, the accelerator pump isn't working.

Congrats on finding compression! :D



Terry

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Forgot to mention that the accel pump has a very strong shot of gas, both sides. It has a manual choke, and it closes completely off. The idle screw is almost screwed all the way in to make it idle, and it has a rough idle unless you cup your hand over the carb a little, then it smooths out.

I'm VERY happy with the compression!

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

With that information, I think you're on the right track looking for a vacuum leak. May be a pretty good sized one at that. With some luck the intake gasket may be ok to use again...I have!



Terry

Re: How to start a low compression flathead?
 

Pulled the intake, and I suspect that gasket failed. Was wet at the very back on both sides of the gasket, and next to one of the intake ports. I thought it was pretty cool to find two pennies blocking off the heat risers, one is 1980, the other one I will have to flip over to see the year. I'm undecided as to whether I remove them or leave them in.

I suspected that the engine was rebuilt/refreshed in the 1980s and that the car was not touched since then. Another clue perhaps?