Getting my 1931 Model A Coupe go start

[jax55]

Battery sounds questionable, but could be a bad armature or spot in the armature too.
I would bench check the starter with 12 volts (since it is already out), see if that will wake it up. If not, looks like the started is toast, and time to take it apart or take it to a rebuilder to be rebuilt.
If it was not running when you got it, could be any number of things...some as simple as lack of use for some period of time. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[joshhirst13]

Hey guys. I agree & it looks like we are all in consensus about pulling the starter & bench testing it. I'm at work until Saturday, but I will be doing this on Saturday as soon as I've got a few spare moments. Sorry to keep you guys in suspense. Not my intention. Ha ha. Stay tuned for the next episode.
Thanks again for full of your help & interest fellas. It is greatly appreciated.

[Ernie Vitucci]

Good Evening all...I had this happen last week. I put a starter back on a car with one bolt that was slightly too long and when I tightened it up it jammed the fly wheel. I thought it was the battery, but then I took a crank and I could not turn the engine with the crank. I took the plugs out and still could not turn the engine over. I took the starter back off and the engine turned over just fine. FINALLY I compared the bolts for the starter and saw that one was too long. I put the starter back on with three short bolts, put the plugs back in, took the crank out and stepped on the starter and the damn thing started! Ernie

[joshhirst13]

Ok guys. Sorry for the long delay. I finally had a chance to pull the starter. Took a little bit more than 3 bolts. Ha ha. Had to disconnect to the switch & I also had to remove the coolant neck on the side of the motor. I couldn't get it out without doing so. Oh well. Anyways I finally got it out & tried it again with the "Freshly charged" 6 volt battery I have & it moved about an inch. So then I took it to a 12 volt battery & jumped it & the starter came to life. Spun very smooth, fast, & quite. Looks like it was the battery. So that will be my next purchase. Now I guess I can see if I can get this thing to run.
Thanks again for everyone's help.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I remove the oil dipstick, but the coolant inlet should not have to be removed to remove the starter.

[katy]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Are you sure your charger is working well enough?

[1crosscut]

I recently removed the lower water inlet to get a starter out. The starter had what looked like a "modern" bendix that was much larger. Probably could have gotten it out without removing it but didn't want to struggle with it as the block was shot anyhow. Will put the starter on before the water inlet when the engine goes back in.

[Brian SATX]

Take the battery to Advance Auto, O'Reilly's etc and they will test it and charge it for free and then give you a reading.

[joshhirst13]

Hey guys. I bought a new battery today. Installed it, pushed the couch in, hit the starter button & she turned over a bunch of times. It was the old battery. Weird how my charger would charge it & show fully charged as well as the volt meter showing over 6v. Oh well. It's all water under the bridge now. Time to get some fresh fuel, change the oil, flush the radiator/add coolant, then see if I can get her to fire up. You guys have any other suggestions or things I should do before attempting to start her up? Also, how should I handle or go about cleaning the gas tank.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Josh

[J Franklin]

I wouldn't add coolant besides water until you are sure the head gasket is sealed properly. In your area it is not real necessary. You can flush fresh gasoline out to see if the tank is dirty. And now you know how assumptions can cause you grief!

[joshhirst13]

Hey guys. I've finally had some time to mess with my Coupe today. I finally figured out that the coil was bad. Interestingly enough, whoever had the car 2 owners ago mounted a second coil to th firewall. Not sure why he did this, but as luck would have it the second coil created spark. I put everything back together & tried firing it up. Took a little coaxing, but finally got it to fire & had it running (super rough, but running) for about a min. Turned it off,then I noticed that there was oil or gas that came out of a couple of the spark plug holes. I tried to start it again, with no luck. I think plugs soaked now. Any ideas what would cause this? Any help is always appreciated.
Thanks
Josh

[burner31]

Easy way for pics:
Click the "blue post reply" lower left bottom of page, when text box opens, in the top middle of the bar you will see a "paperclip" click that, a window will open "manage attachments" click "choose file" then pick your picture, after you picked up to seven pics click the top "upload" on the right hand side of the text box, wait for it to upload.
You must type something, anything into the text box message, scroll down to see "preview post" at bottom of your text box, you should see your message as it will appear when you post, if you like it click "submit reply" to post.
Easy-cheesy

[joshhirst13]

Hopefully this pic will post. Said one of the two pics had an error.

[joshhirst13]

Picture attempt #2

[Ruth]

Originally Posted by joshhirst13

Picture attempt #2

Your picture came thru OK. Interesting that they installed head "bolts" instead of the original studs and nuts.

[1crosscut]

Check to make sure the metal gasket is on the spark plugs and that they are tight. Probably time for a new set of plugs by the look of it.

[burner31]

Have to watch the picture size, if they are to big they wont go

[joshhirst13]

Yep. That was it. I was in such a rush to try & start the car after removing the plugs & cleaning them that I forgot to tighten them down. Ughhhhh.
Thanks

[burner31]

So you got the engine running now, yes?

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by joshhirst13

Should I hear something or feel something when I do this. What am I looking for?
Thanks
Josh

yup, a clunk,