1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

Hey guys, I have a 1931 79-B Panel Delivery. It has been fully restored, but probably hasn't been run in at least 5 years. I put in a new battery, cleaned out all the fuel lines (the shut off valve was completely blocked so I cleaned it). So I know the carb is getting fuel. I pulled the spark plugs, cleaned them and tested. So I am getting spark to the plugs. The car turns over fine, but won't start. I'm looking for any suggestions before I pull the zenith 2 carb and clean it?

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

If you can get your hands on another carburetor that's known to be a good working unit, try switching them out and try to start it again. Otherwise carburetor should be removed and completely cleaned; all passages blown out with compressed air.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

Check gap on plugs, should be 0.035. Check gap on points, should be 0.020. Check timing of engine. Take carburetor off intake manifold and split in half (one bolt on bottom). Spray carburetor cleaner on all components and through all passages and jets. Make sure everything is clear including float valve. Check float valve by blowing through with the carburetor half in the normal position and inverted. Re assemble and put back on engine. Check compression by cranking with the hand crank. Open GAV 1 turn (counter clockwise). Choke for only 1 revolution.

I got a car started that sat outside in a wet field for 5 years and got it so that it could be driven. See https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...light=nkaminar

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

I would completely clean the carburetor before doing anything else.

Make sure all the air passageways are open and clean, jets, and check the float.

Enjoy

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

spray carb cleaner into the carb and it should fire.........

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

Hello, on cars that sat for awhile, have seen Zenith carburetors orange from rust on inside, as per previous posts take it apart and clean it . I also run a small wire in through the casting to clean them out, sometimes rust blocks them.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

Get an assistant to give it a shot of either, and then hit the starter. If it fires and then dies it's the carb. Typically with an A it's either fuel, or spark. Not much else to go wrong.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

Does it have compression in all cylinders? A few squirts of engine oil down each spark plug hole won't hurt anything.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

Look at the link in Post #3. I used some MMO in cylinders and poured a quart of engine oil down the hole for the distributor to oil the main bearings before I started it.

I have been driving the car around Wilkesboro after rebuilding the steering and brakes and it is fun to drive. It will need a complete restoration or rebuild.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

The same thing that was plugging up the fuel line valve is most likely plugging up the various circuits in the carburetor also. The suggestion that Gene F suggest is exactly what I would be doing as it would certainly validate the carburetor as your culprit, or not. If it starts and dies as soon as the ether charge is spent then no fuel is being mixed with the incoming air and being sent to the combustion chamber(s)....

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

If it doesn't fire with ether. make sure the point faces are clean and doing their job.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

After setting awhile, stuck valves are a common problem. Might do a compression check to confirm valves are free. With spark it should at least cough a few times. Please share the fix.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

A quick 'might help' is to lightly sand the points. It may be getting spark to the plugs when you manually work the points, but not when the points are just connecting by themselves. Don't ask me how I know....

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

James said that he was getting spark to the plugs so it is not the ignition.

Check compression by hand cranking, check to make sure the timing is correct (and cam screw secure), and clean the carburetor.

James, where are you located?

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

My brother Rick was asked to start a Nash that sat for years. Brian the owner had last driven it to where it now sat. Rick systematically went though things as that's what mechanics do. It could hardly turn over although the battery was apparently charging all night. Rick realized Brian had disconnected the charger while replacing the seat.

With a new battery, still no sign of starting. The electrical system seamed ok but the fuel was blocked by some debris. Once cleaned, still no go. Some plugs weren't up to par but no reason for a lack of life from all six cylinders.

A small amount of ether created some action but still no go. Rick asked how old the gas but Brian couldn't remember. He went for gas while Rick disconnected the supply and replaced it with a temporary hose for the new gas. All fuel was then drained from the pump forward and the new gas was hooked up.

With a few cranks the engine ran but lacked power. The plugs and wires were replaced, the fuel tank was drained, cleaned, and filled with fresh gas. After test driving, Brian claimed to have more power then before.

Rick put a flame to a small amount of the old gas, and everyone but Rick were surprised it wouldn't burn once he removed the flame. That was a neat science experiment for the day.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

carb cleaner works better at starting then ether or fresh gas. It contains propane and fires off an engine much faster. Ive used them all and it works best.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

I use high-test gas in my collector cars towards the end of the season. It breaks down far slower. I mean far slower! Not worth the aggrivation for 40 cents a gallon difference. on the balance of the tank(s).

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

Check the tank for water. Was it drained out completely???

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

Okay, so I pulled the carb. Some of the jets were completely blocked, so I cleaned everything really well, and made sure all the jets were completely clear. Car still doesn't start. I sprayed starter flued into the intake and it still doesn't start. I did notice that when I turn on the ingnition switch, the amp meter does not move. I know that the amp meter is good, it moves if I turn on anything else electrical. Any thoughts.

Re: 1931 Sitting for 5 years won't start
 

The tank was completely dry when I got it. I put a gallon of fresh gas in it. And then drained it. When I drained it, the gas came out pretty clean. No rust bits or discoleration.