Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-10-2018, 08:32 PM   #1
IanJayLights
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 83
Default Model A won’t start

I know I know, a thread about starting issues. I drove my 28 Phaeton to a local car show (about 2 miles away). I got there fine, parked. I started it and went to leave 2 hours later. It backfired a few times. I limped it home. Now the starter will turn it over, but it doesn’t want to run. I’ve had a few backfires, but it isn’t running.

Here is what I have checked so far

I had it on the trickle charger all night
It has gas in it, and I pulled the line at the carb and plenty of gas is flowing.
I redid the timing to specifications
I checked the timing gear for any missing teeth
I redid the gaps on the points and rotor to spec
I pulled the coil wire and held it up to the head and have a good spark there
I cleaned the plugs
I checked the black wire in the distributor
Changed the condenser

What else could it be? Would it be the pop out switch?
IanJayLights is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2018, 08:45 PM   #2
wmws
BANNED
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Coatesville, Pa
Posts: 719
Default Re: Model A won’t start

If the coil wire is giving you a consistent good spark check the distributor cap button. Take a plug out and see if you are getting spark there. If not it is something in the cap or housing.
wmws is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-11-2018, 08:54 AM   #3
ryanheacox
Senior Member
 
ryanheacox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Northwest CT
Posts: 1,092
Default Re: Model A won’t start

Do you have an original pop out switch?
ryanheacox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2018, 09:52 AM   #4
WHN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,815
Default Re: Model A won’t start

Take your gas cap off and try to start car.

Might be plugged vent in cap.

Good luck.
WHN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2018, 10:08 AM   #5
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Model A won’t start

When it will not start, does the ammeter wiggle a little bit? If it does then the Primary coil circuit is functioning (coil, wiring and connections, condenser, points). This may not work on a 28 if the wiring is not modified. Then as metioned by wmws above check heck sencondary circuit - pull a plug, ground the plug, turn on the ignition, turn over the motor via the switch on the starter, see if you have a nice blue spark at the plug (there are other methods of doing this, this is my preferred way).


To see if it is fuel/carb issue - Try spraying quick start into air intake of the carb, if it tries to run then fuel/carb issue. - do not overdo the quick start, too much is not good for the motor.

Last edited by 30 Closed Cab PU; 12-11-2018 at 11:45 AM. Reason: Changed "secondary Coil" to Primary, Added fuel/carb check
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2018, 07:28 PM   #6
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Model A won’t start

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Remove the carburetor drain plug and see if you have gas in it.
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2019, 02:20 PM   #7
IanJayLights
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 83
Default Re: Model A won’t start

Guys, sorry for the delayed response! I really appreciate all the help. Today is the first day I can get back out there and try with the model A. I’ll let you know what happens. Thank you
IanJayLights is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2019, 05:18 PM   #8
JBill
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 702
Default Re: Model A won’t start

I'd take the carburetor off and spray some carb cleaner through the jets. Backfiring is often a sign of fuel starvation. That is, if your further electrical check, as suggested by 30 Closed Cab PU above, shows spark at the plug gap. Might be some dirt or rust flake in there. While you're at it, check your carb gasket. A leaky one can also cause backfiring. Let us know what you find.
JBill is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

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 03:05 PM.