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Old 08-08-2018, 08:37 PM   #1
davidGR
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Default Waiting for AAA :)

Hey guys! Got the A out for the first ride through downtown Grand Rapids and it was amazing. Everyone is just happy when they see your car roll by.

Stopped over at my friends house and the A just kinda died on me, got nervous/ flustered and maybe flooded the engine? I can’t get it to start and have a strong smell of gas comings from the engine bay. I attempted to start a few times, my questions:

How long does it take for a car to unflood?

Where should my levers and choke be if I’ve might have flooded it?

I’ve got super rusty gas tank? Maybe an issue?

I can’t believe I left with out any tools, what should I keep on me as an emergency?

Any help would be great, I’m currently waiting for AAA to get here picture to prove it.
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Old 08-08-2018, 08:51 PM   #2
abachman3
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

It should be ready to start again after just a few minutes. Make sure the spark retard lever is all the way up and the throttle lever should be about half way down. Gas on at switch and the GAV should be open about one full turn. Key on, step on starter button and pull up on choke lever... for just about 2-3 seconds and let choke go. Should start up.
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Old 08-08-2018, 09:13 PM   #3
davidGR
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

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Originally Posted by abachman3 View Post
It should be ready to start again after just a few minutes. Make sure the spark retard lever is all the way up and the throttle lever should be about half way down. Gas on at switch and the GAV should be open about one full turn. Key on, step on starter button and pull up on choke lever... for just about 2-3 seconds and let choke go. Should start up.
Followed your instruction and no go! I don’t want to seem like a loser but we’re should I start to figure this out?
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Old 08-08-2018, 09:45 PM   #4
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

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Followed your instruction and no go! I don’t want to seem like a loser but we’re should I start to figure this out?
Same thing happened to me Saturday. It was over a hundred degrees here and I was in my 31 we went into a Mexican restaurant and ate lunch I did not shut the fuel off so when I went to start it it acted like it was dead I shut the fuel off open throttle all the way and turn it over a half a dozen times put fuel lever halfway down and it started too fire slowly at first but it finally picked up and cleaned out turn my fuel back on and away we went. My car usually starts will just say half a turn of the motor but sitting in that on parking lot with a full tank of gas must have pushed fuel pass needle seat

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Old 08-08-2018, 09:51 PM   #5
Gary WA
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

you say rust in tank? Remove gas line from carb and see if you have good flow,turn off gas valve first then turn on after removing from carb, catch gas in container of course! if rust in tank, rust in jets too!
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Old 08-08-2018, 10:11 PM   #6
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

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Pull the coil wire off of the distributor, hold it a short distance from a head bolt and crank it over to check to see if you have spark. Should give a fat blue spark about a half an inch long.
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Old 08-08-2018, 10:38 PM   #7
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

After looking in the tank from the filler neck or gas gauge, drain the tank and install a pencil filter into the gas valve. But first try and get as much rust out of the tank as possible. If it is even there. The PO may have had it cleaned. IF it is an old seal job it may be coming apart in which case it has to be stripped out. Vic in 10 u see I think can do that.


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Old 08-08-2018, 11:06 PM   #8
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

So I finally got it back home, AAA was busy tonight in Grand Rapids.

I'm going to see what happens tomorrow, after work I'm going to check for spark.

I was about to leave the garage when I decide to take a look in the radiator, does anyone have any idea what floating inside of here, looks like a rusty piece of metal? Any thoughts? Whats that tube coming out the top?

I do have a Motormeter
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Old 08-08-2018, 11:22 PM   #9
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

So on a related question to your dilemma, your AAA membership covers towing on an older car like you're A? Just wondering cause we have AAA for our daily drivers but never thought about using them for our garage toys, even though hagerty provides towing too...stuff in rad looks like corrosion of some sort? Best of luck.
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Old 08-08-2018, 11:27 PM   #10
J Franklin
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

Rusty metal wouldn't float. Also if you flood the engine wait a while and when trying to restart pull the throttle all the way down until it starts. If flooded you can also pull and dry the spark plugs and don't ever chock the carb when the engine is not stone cold.
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Old 08-08-2018, 11:30 PM   #11
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

The tube is an overflow tube.
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Old 08-08-2018, 11:36 PM   #12
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

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Originally Posted by cajunfirehawk View Post
So on a related question to your dilemma, your AAA membership covers towing on an older car like you're A? Just wondering cause we have AAA for our daily drivers but never thought about using them for our garage toys, even though hagerty provides towing too...stuff in rad looks like corrosion of some sort? Best of luck.
Cajun, I have AAA Collector Car Insurance on the Model A and Club Membership for 200 mile towing, if needed.
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Old 08-08-2018, 11:46 PM   #13
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

I learned whatever you do call AAA FIRST - if you dont use one of their preferred towing companies you are SOL on the bill. One reason I stopped their coverage - not to mention their rates are stupid high for any decent towing coverage.
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Old 08-09-2018, 06:42 AM   #14
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

Now that the car is home, you can take your time finding the problem. Is there another Model A owner nearby who might be able to help, a local club perhaps?
Either way, I’m sure the members here will put you on the right track.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:24 AM   #15
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

I pull choke only when motor is cold , never when warm. Also when I shut key off I always shut the gas valve off....
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:52 AM   #16
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

That metal piece in the radiator may be what is left of the top baffle. The tube is your overflow. This is not why your car won’t start. If flooded open throttle all the way and have the gav and choke off. Do not check for spark when you are smelling gas around the engine.
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:08 AM   #17
davidGR
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

Good Info guys!


I have an update, before I went to work I tried to get it to fire up. I set the controls like normal starting. Spark fully retarded - Gas Lever two clicks down- GAV 1 turn out Fuel on - Pull Choke and release - no start.


I decided to the put the gas lever all the way down and tried again and got it to start.


It ran for about 5 minutes as I adjusted the gas lever back to normal 3 o'clock position for idle. It then died out on me and I couldn't get it to fire again.


Then I had to run to work.


Seems like I need to do some finer adjustments and maybe clean out the carbs?


Thoughts always appreciated.
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:17 AM   #18
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

When you even SUSPECT it's FLOODED, push the throttle WIDE open & crank constantly, until it fires off & let it do a GREAT ROAR, to clean it out!!
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:17 AM   #19
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

When you even SUSPECT it's FLOODED, push the throttle WIDE open & crank constantly, until it fires off & let it do a GREAT ROAR, to clean it out!!
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Old 08-09-2018, 09:29 AM   #20
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Default Re: Waiting for AAA :)

I think AAA covers the driver regardless of what your driving -- I've had my '31 towed, using a flat-Bed as recommended. I've Triple A Plus, covers when I'm a passengner of a broke-broke down too
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