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Old 06-25-2013, 10:22 PM   #1
40Ford!!
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Default How to prime the flatty

I just replaced my intake and I'm not getting the fuel to draw. I'm quite sure the fuel pump is on properly and the fuel line is not plugged. I blew air from the fuel line up front and there was definitely fuel in the tank. I blew air from the rear and I could not get any fuel to push thru. My next effort will be to add some fuel into the carb and get it to fire. How much can I add directly into the carb? Any other suggestions? Thanks

Last edited by 40Ford!!; 06-25-2013 at 10:23 PM. Reason: Typo
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Old 06-25-2013, 10:45 PM   #2
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

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Originally Posted by 40Ford!! View Post
I just replaced my intake and I'm not getting the fuel to draw. I'm quite sure the fuel pump is on properly and the fuel line is not plugged. I blew air from the fuel line up front and there was definitely fuel in the tank. I blew air from the rear and I could not get any fuel to push thru. My next effort will be to add some fuel into the carb and get it to fire. How much can I add directly into the carb? Any other suggestions? Thanks
I'd dump a thimble or so in there choke it and see what happens. Sometimes it takes a little to bring it up from the tank and fill your float bowl.
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Old 06-26-2013, 05:29 AM   #3
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I have a fuel shut off and when I park mine for several days I run the carbs dry. At startup it takes 5 seconds of cranking to get pressure at the carburetors. I am interested in how much fuel to manually put in to prime after long shutdown with dry bowls.
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Old 06-26-2013, 05:55 AM   #4
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

To push fuel through the system you need to let the air out. After cleaning out the stock fuel filter I would leave the glass filter bowl loose and then blow into the tank. The air in the line comes out the gap allowing the fuel through. A few decent puffs, then around to the engine and the bowl would be filling nicely. Re-tighten before it gets to the top. The electric fuel pump I fitted for starting saves the huffing and puffing.
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Old 06-26-2013, 06:08 AM   #5
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Make sure the cap for the fuel pump is snug, 7/16 hex head bolt on the top. Temporarily place a couple wraps of electrical tape around the bottom of the fuel pump steel cap and the top of the casting for the body. The tape will seal the cork gasket from pulling air when it is dry and once fuel is in the pump the gasket well swell and the tape can be removed.
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Old 06-26-2013, 07:00 AM   #6
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

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A shot of starter fluid works better than gas. G.M.
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Old 06-26-2013, 07:58 AM   #7
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

If you replaced the intake, is the fuel pump push rod long enough on the new manifold?
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Old 06-26-2013, 09:18 AM   #8
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

After replacing carb and fuel pump, I place my hand on top of the carb and crank the engine. The vacuum generated simply pulls the gas up to the pump. I watch and see the bowl filling and know then that it will fire up.
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Old 06-26-2013, 10:30 AM   #9
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

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Originally Posted by G.M. View Post
A shot of starter fluid works better than gas. G.M.
Starter fluid will wash the oil off of the pistons and cylinder walls and create more wear.
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Old 06-26-2013, 11:01 AM   #10
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

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Starter fluid will wash the oil off of the pistons and cylinder walls and create more wear.
I agree... starter fluid is a no-no.
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Old 06-26-2013, 12:25 PM   #11
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Uisng an electric fuel pump for those times the car has been sitting long or on a first start after a modification or a rebuild has worked for me .... start the pump, start the car, shut off the pump once the engine is running.
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Old 06-26-2013, 12:52 PM   #12
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Fuel pumps are weakest on the suction side, and with somewhat tired equipment an empty system won't prime even with long cranking even though pump is working well enough to run the car once fuel gets up front...
Best way to prime is to make a small can or use a tiny funnel to directly get gas into the carb bowl...when I was running a very high mileage rig I added a piece of thin tube to the bottom of a small can so I could insert it right into the bowl vent of the carb and avoid dumping raw gas down the engine's throat. The rather weak pump would then do fine once the engine lit.
On later Ford flathead carbs, there is a convenient vent tube in carb throat, on earlier Ford vent holes are external, and on Strombergs the hole is behind the rocker...all require a small tube or hose to prime neatly.
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Old 06-26-2013, 02:46 PM   #13
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Ok, call me a botch artist, but I just tip a bit of gas straight down the carb. It'll fire and run. It will go for a few seconds and after you've done it a few times it will have pulled the fuel through and run on it's own.

One precaution, though, don't stand over the carb with a jug of gas, tip a bit in, go and put it down a little way away from the car and crank it over. Repeat as necessary.

Mart.
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Old 06-26-2013, 02:54 PM   #14
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I agree that starter fluis is harsh but only if you use in all the time because of fuel delivery issue. Safer than gas and wear some eye protection.
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Old 06-26-2013, 03:07 PM   #15
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I do what Mart does.....squirt gas into each carb and it will strart for a few seconds. Do this a few times and it starts up for good. Don't want to use starter fluid on a healthy engine.
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Old 06-26-2013, 03:15 PM   #16
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

If you are equipped to fill the bowl, the thing can start normally. Gas down the throat means cranking until enough raw gas goes down the gullet to allow a startable mixture, quickly followed by lean-out backfire as the slosh runs out. Once you fabricate something with a tube that will enter a vent, it is at least as easy as just drowning it.
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Old 06-26-2013, 04:23 PM   #17
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I woundt use staring fluid but use carb cleaner with the plastic nozzle that way you can spritz it in to keep it running.do it all the time at the shop.
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Old 06-26-2013, 04:33 PM   #18
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I, too, use carburetor cleaner.
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Old 06-26-2013, 06:48 PM   #19
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Any particular brand of carburetor cleaner? Chlorinated or not? Thanks in advance. Larry
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Old 06-26-2013, 07:23 PM   #20
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Buy an OPTIMA battery !!!
My all stock 36 can sit for months , I just pull the choke & let the optima spin her over like its 12volt until she sucks the gas from the tank & she busts right off !
No Kenct pump here !!! A correctly rebuilt & tested pump built 9 years ago!!(by me )
Cheers
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Old 06-26-2013, 07:32 PM   #21
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I use WD40 for a starting fluid.
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Old 06-26-2013, 07:42 PM   #22
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Finally, I found out Im not alone re Carb cleaner as start helper.
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Old 06-26-2013, 07:49 PM   #23
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

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Originally Posted by Mart View Post
Ok, call me a botch artist, but I just tip a bit of gas straight down the carb. It'll fire and run. It will go for a few seconds and after you've done it a few times it will have pulled the fuel through and run on it's own.

One precaution, though, don't stand over the carb with a jug of gas, tip a bit in, go and put it down a little way away from the car and crank it over. Repeat as necessary.

Mart.
Yep ,that's what I do
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Old 06-26-2013, 07:57 PM   #24
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I use WD40 for starting fluid.
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Old 06-27-2013, 08:49 AM   #25
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Install an electric pump and a toggle switch.
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Old 06-27-2013, 10:15 AM   #26
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

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I have used WD40 also. It's propellant is propane so it will not flood the carb and it also has a lube ingredient so it will help to replace any oil on the cylinder walls that has washed away until they can get splashed again.
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Old 06-27-2013, 11:53 AM   #27
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Cool Hand has the answer! Learned the same trick from a small engine guy years ago. Snowblowers can have a tough time when it is real cold and that engine hasn't been run lately.
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Old 06-27-2013, 12:24 PM   #28
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I would avoid putting my hand over the carb while cranking the engine. I have an acquaintance who did just that, there was a backfire through the carb which sent a throttle plate completely through his hand.
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Old 06-19-2014, 11:35 AM   #29
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Has anyone ever installed a aircraft style hand primer instead of a free flow electric pump for the purpose of priming when the lines are dry?
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Old 06-19-2014, 12:51 PM   #30
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Hi Everyone,

If I leave the car sit for more than two weeks I have to prime it. If driven in the last two weeks it will start on the first crank.

21 Stud, For priming I use a sealed container I got at the camping store for hikers to travel with stove fuel. It's got a locking screw-on cap, and doesn't freak me out to keep it in the car 2/3 full of fuel (never full, harder to pour). It holds about two cups.

I remove the air cleaner and pour about a shot worth down the carb. Cap the can and set it 5 feet away.

Hop in, turn on the ignition, give 1/2 inch of choke, and hit the starter, then smile. When she fires I reduce the choke to about 1/4 inch. I give it just a little touch of hand throttle, then get out and replace the air cleaner, lower the hood, and retrieve the fuel bottle.

It works pretty reliably for this engine.

Other techniques tend to flood this engine.

That's the way my Dad taught me.

Just my 2 cents to answer the original post.
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Old 06-20-2014, 04:17 AM   #31
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I have a "Dollar Store" plastic ketchup dispenser (with a cap for the spout) half full of gas. You can use it to shoot gas down the carb vent to fill the flost bowl or squirt a little directly into the carb. Originally, I was afraid that the gas would desolve the plastic and emptied it after every use. I eventually got lazy and left it full of gas. Sorprisingly (to me), leaving the gas in it has produced no ill effects.
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Old 06-20-2014, 04:52 AM   #32
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

I agree with 36tbird. When replacing the intake, or the fuel pump, make sure the push rod is still a match and isn't installed upside down. This will cause a mismatch and prevent fuel from getting thru fuel pump.
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Old 06-20-2014, 05:20 AM   #33
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Pull the choke out,pump it up,hit the starter! If it doesn't start, you have an ignition problem, or a carborator problem.
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Old 06-20-2014, 05:38 AM   #34
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

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Pull the choke out,pump it up,hit the starter! If it doesn't start, you have an ignition problem, or a carborator problem.
And remember, most ignition problems are carburetor related, and most carburetor problems are usually cause by defective points, condensor, or coil.
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Old 06-20-2014, 10:50 AM   #35
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Learned to always replace air cleaner when starting car, you can get a pretty good flame going if there is a backfire. The aircleaner contains and supresses any potential flame
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Old 06-20-2014, 05:35 PM   #36
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

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Originally Posted by 40Ford!! View Post
I just replaced my intake and I'm not getting the fuel to draw. I'm quite sure the fuel pump is on properly and the fuel line is not plugged. I blew air from the fuel line up front and there was definitely fuel in the tank. I blew air from the rear and I could not get any fuel to push thru. My next effort will be to add some fuel into the carb and get it to fire. How much can I add directly into the carb? Any other suggestions? Thanks
Are you saying you changed to a different intake manifold? If so, what did you change from and what did you change to? Some manifolds are higher than others where the fuel pump stand bolts on, requiring different length fuel pump push rods. You could have a situation where your fuel pump rod is too short to engage the fuel pump arm that makes the pump work.
Another possibility is when you installed the FP you may not have gotten the cup on the arm on top of the FP push rod.
In either case the FP will not work. Just some thoughts.
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Old 06-20-2014, 07:06 PM   #37
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Hi Everyone, I recently learned from some smarter guys that when installing my fuel pump, remove the stand, put the pump on the stand, and put the stand on the intake. Makes it easier and more likely you'll get that cup on the rod.
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Old 06-20-2014, 08:51 PM   #38
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

i dont matter what kind.carb cleaner has gotten milder over the years.i think what we get now is non clorinated.
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Old 06-21-2014, 07:14 AM   #39
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Default Re: How to prime the flatty

Did you rebuild the fuel pump,there maybe some dirt in the screen.
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