Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-10-2017, 06:44 AM   #1
cuzncletus
Senior Member
 
cuzncletus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sevierville, Tenn.
Posts: 391
Default won't start when hot

My flathead in my 39 won't restart after the car has warmed up. The engine is a 270 inch 8ba, aluminum heads, two 94's, cam, chevy distributor by Bubba with a Pertronix. I thought it was vapor locking so I rerouted the fuel lines. Not the problem; plenty of fuel and good (3 lbs.) pressure. I tried some ether but it wouldn't fire on even that so apparently there is no fire.

I don't want to just start replacing parts but want some advice on where to start. My first thought is the coil might be opening up when hot. It's on a bracket I built off the right thermostat housing. If it's not that I'm going to be pretty well lost as, like a lot of hobbyists, I get quickly confused by little sparky things.
cuzncletus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 07:01 AM   #2
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,303
Default Re: won't start when hot

Get rid of the Pertronix and go back to points.
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 08-10-2017, 07:03 AM   #3
flatheadmurre
Senior Member
 
flatheadmurre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Sweden
Posts: 3,045
Default Re: won't start when hot

If you bought the ignition setup from Bubba im pretty sure he will sort out the problem for you...when issues arrise...call the supplier...if they are standup guys they sort it out.
flatheadmurre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 07:07 AM   #4
adileo
Senior Member
 
adileo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,772
Default Re: won't start when hot

Is it cranking strong?
__________________
Thanks

Andy
1952 F1
adileo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 07:17 AM   #5
Big-Foot
Member
 
Big-Foot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Kenyon MN/Gold Canyon AZ
Posts: 64
Default Re: won't start when hot

Valves tighten up sometimes and if yours haven't been adjusted in a while, that may be your problem. Take a couple plugs out and get the hot and cold compression reading. Flatties are the easiest in the world to do this on..
Considering that your battery is fully charged and in good condition --
If you have slow cranking speed, you may want to check your ground straps for good connection. Starter motors will try to draw more current when they are hot and a poor ground connection can easily push your current requirements beyond the capability of the battery.
__________________
Regards - Randy
1933 Tudor
Big-Foot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 07:36 AM   #6
cuzncletus
Senior Member
 
cuzncletus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sevierville, Tenn.
Posts: 391
Default Re: won't start when hot

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Cranking speed has always been good, no drag or hesitation. The starter is an aftermarket 12 volt as is all the wiring. After sitting all night the car fired when I hit the key this a.m.
cuzncletus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 08:31 AM   #7
Old Redneck
Senior Member
 
Old Redneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Waynesburg,Pa.
Posts: 1,909
Send a message via AIM to Old Redneck Send a message via Yahoo to Old Redneck
Default Re: won't start when hot

Male sure the spark plugs wires are correct. I had this happen mine was the two on the rear on the passenger side were cross. When hot would not start but cold would. A cheap test
Old Redneck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 08:36 AM   #8
Old Redneck
Senior Member
 
Old Redneck's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Waynesburg,Pa.
Posts: 1,909
Send a message via AIM to Old Redneck Send a message via Yahoo to Old Redneck
Default Re: won't start when hot

Take a wooden or rubber long handle screw driver and ground out each cylinder when the car running. When you do this the engine should die down a little bit. BUT if it don'T AND TWO CYLINDER don't die down Check out if cross.
Old Redneck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 08:46 AM   #9
George/Maine
Senior Member
 
George/Maine's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mid coast Maine
Posts: 1,878
Default Re: won't start when hot

On my 39 ford had same problem. When going to 12 volts remove the resister under dash if still being used. Points are better your flathead will not blow out the spark low rpms, with 12 volt coil and resister. if still don't start get 2 post solenoid for 12 volt. that will by pass the resister just when starting.
George/Maine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 09:30 AM   #10
flat 39
Member
 
flat 39's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clermont FL
Posts: 99
Default Re: won't start when hot

My '39 would be hard to start when hot. I determined that it was corn gas boiling out of carb and flooding the engine. I blocked the heat riser in the intake manifold. Starts much better now.
flat 39 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 09:32 AM   #11
chap52
Senior Member
 
chap52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Marana Arizona
Posts: 1,776
Default Re: won't start when hot

Timing?
chap52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2017, 10:57 AM   #12
ct1932ford
Senior Member
 
ct1932ford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CT.
Posts: 596
Default Re: won't start when hot

Check Timing First!
__________________
A man should do what he thinks best! "The Duke"
ct1932ford is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:14 PM.