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04-08-2023, 06:37 PM | #21 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 554
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Quote:
JB |
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04-08-2023, 08:00 PM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 254
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
I'm happy to announce, its FIXED!!!. I found the vacuum leak. I can start it with just a slight touch of the gas pedal, and it fires instantly. Every time. No more pumping the gas/feathering the throttle. No more idle speed increase with my hand cupping over the carb.
I knew the vacuum leak had to be INSIDE the carburetor, because when I poured the Marvel Mystery Oil in it, it would cover the throttle plates and keep running slowly until it all got past the plates. I couldn't stall the engine, it just slowly idled along until it "drank" it all down. Tore the carb apart, and noticed the small o-ring type gaskets were so flattened where the transfer tubes (can't remember the official name) meet the carb body, one of them was open, and the neighboring one was crushed less than paper thin. Last time I tore the carb apart those little gaskets were very flat, but a complete circle. Made some new ones for now (until the rebuild kit comes in) and it starts up WAYYY better. Now, I have the idle screw almost all the way out, the timing is dead on the timing mark (I checked the vacuum advance with my timing light, and it works now). It idles nice and slow. The idle screw was so far in before that I think the advance was always on, and showing the timing was advanced too far at an idle. I can also put it in Drive or Reverse, and it doesn't stall! Super happy, now I can move the car in and out of the garage and work on it whenever I have time. I appreciate everyones input on this problem! I was beginning to doubt my skills, but this definitely was a strange problem and tough to figure out. Going for a drive after supper, will see how it does around the block now. Again, thanks guys!!! Sorry for the long posts! |
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04-08-2023, 08:21 PM | #23 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 92
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Good to hear you found it. Thanks for posting.
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04-08-2023, 09:22 PM | #24 |
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Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 254
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Just drove it.
More power, an acceptable level of power. Was really gutless before. Sometimes will start without touching gas pedal, most times just stab it once to the floor and it fires. Compression test hot starting at number one: 100,110,110,100,115,120,100,105 When I started they were all 65psi and under. Going to spend tomorrow with family and then Monday play with it some more. Happy Easter guys! |
04-08-2023, 10:24 PM | #25 |
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 170
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Thanks for sharing. I had exactly the same problem and solved the same issue today with my Vermillion 1952 F1.
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04-09-2023, 01:14 PM | #26 |
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Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 254
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
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04-09-2023, 03:15 PM | #27 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yucaipa, CA
Posts: 1,116
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
I had mentioned I did not think a vacuum leak would cause hard starting. That's the downside to commenting on these things. You get proven wrong sometimes. I hadn't thought about one inside the carb. I I've even seen that happen, but then I didn't work on early Ford carbs at work. I was thinking more of a leak around the carb base or the throttle shaft and propane would have found that immediately. It must have lowered the vacuum signal inside the carb to where it wasn't pulling fuel through the idle ports. It still should have started on the accelerate pump squirts and then idled like crap. We used to always had to take those ASE and smog inspection update tests. I always thought wouldn't it be great if the answer to the problem was only A,B, C, or D. In the real world there can be endless reasons for a problem. Good job on finding the problem.
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04-09-2023, 03:17 PM | #28 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yucaipa, CA
Posts: 1,116
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Don't get one like mine get a modern digital one that also displays the dwell and rpm. You would have everything you need to check the ignition in one timing light.
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04-10-2023, 10:08 AM | #29 |
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Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 254
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
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04-10-2023, 10:17 AM | #30 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 254
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Quote:
I still think it should start warm without touching the gas, but once I get a rebuild kit I hope that makes a difference. The Holley Teapot carb on my other car is a work of art. When I got that car, it was parked in a garage since 1966. Once I freed up the engine (dry seized) I put a fuel line on it and it ran great. Drove it around and months later even though it ran great I finally rebuilt that carb just for fun. It was full of gunk and rust, but operated perfectly. Cleaning it out didn't make it run any different but after that experience I became of big fan of that carb. I can bump the key on that car and it idles immediately. That impresses people. |
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04-10-2023, 10:18 AM | #31 |
Senior Member
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Great discussion, thanks. As a matter of practice, whenever I get a new flattie the first thing I do is send the carb and fuel pump to Charlie, AND the coil to Skip Haney. No matter how good the car is running.
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Tim Carlig |
04-16-2023, 01:10 PM | #32 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA
Posts: 4,148
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Quote:
I second send to charlie |
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04-17-2023, 05:00 PM | #33 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 4
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Re: Flathead 239 still hard to start after much work...
Hi have you checked for a blocked exhaust system
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