The Ford Barn

GregLast · 07-23-2015, 11:18 AM

Hey everyone.

I just got my grandfathers 31 Coupe back to the house and I can't for the life of me figure out what I'm doing wrong.

It's been sitting in his garage for the last 4 months, largely untouched. He was great about giving it some attention on a regular basis, and since his passing I have taken the car out 3 times to put a little gas in it, start it up, let it idle, and then drive it around the section line. All that went pretty smooth, once the battery was charged. I did have to charge the battery every time, but no more than 30 minutes and it would let me start the car.

Trailered it to my place and let the battery charge all day yesterday out of the car. I put the battery in the car, and drove around the neighborhood. After about 20 minutes of driving, it became harder to start the car and keep it running, and eventually wouldn't start at all. I let it sit on the charger overnight, and this morning it started ok, not awesome, and I was able to let it idle for a couple minutes, then it died, it will not start now.

When it is running, it's not running smooth like it was before we trailered it to the house. It's rough, I've had a few backfires, and sometimes it acts like it wants more gas, and starts to die, and then finds some and gives me another turn of the engine.

I have no clue where to start.

Bob C · 07-23-2015, 11:22 AM

How old it the battery, also charge it up and then load test it.
Is the generator charging?

Bob

bobpo1 · 07-23-2015, 11:35 AM

Also with that car sitting so long, you may well have a fuel restriction problem. Maybe drain the tank and clean it out as good as you can and make sure your getting a good flow of fuel.

Good Luck and Thanks for taking over the Ol' Lady, give her some TLC and you'll be a happy Model A owner. I have learned so much on this site.

As said previously, make sure you have a good battery and an GREAT GROUND.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-23-2015, 11:35 AM

Model A's are + ground, so be sure the larger positive post goes to the ground strap.

Just to be sure the generator is polarized jump across the two cutout terminals for 1/2 second with the battery installed. The key won't have to be on for this.

GregLast · 07-23-2015, 12:19 PM

The battery is in there good, I just wonder if it's time for a new one.

The rough idle is more concerning.

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Chuck Sea/Tac · 07-23-2015, 01:29 PM

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It sounds like you may have two problems. If you have to charge the battery to start, is tat because it turns over slow? Check connections, an battery/ charging(as mentioned).
The bad running could be gas, or electrical. So make sure the battery , generator is working good, then we can move to the next potential solution.

Tacoma Bob · 07-23-2015, 01:43 PM

Agree with all the above. IF the battery is sound I would guess the charging system is next. That could be why it's running rough. The battery may be doing all the work. ( firing the plugs).

1931 flamingo · 07-23-2015, 01:55 PM

Ck fuel flow at the carb. Verify the point gap.
Are you familiar with the spark advance lever on the steering column??
Have you adjusted the GAV??
Paul in CT

Mitch//pa · 07-23-2015, 02:23 PM

where are u located? maybe someone can help.....

GregLast · 07-23-2015, 04:34 PM

Excellent! That's why I love this place. You guys have my head moving in a good direction.

I'll get the battery replaced either tonight or tomorrow. I'm not sure how long he's had that one but it's acting like its spent.

How could I check the generator? I have a multimeter. Is there an article I could read that would walk me through?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Patrick L. · 07-23-2015, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregLast

Excellent! That's why I love this place. You guys have my head moving in a good direction.

I'll get the battery replaced either tonight or tomorrow. I'm not sure how long he's had that one but it's acting like its spent.

How could I check the generator? I have a multimeter. Is there an article I could read that would walk me through?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First things first. Is the generator charging ? It doesn't sound like it is. With the engine running at a fast idle the ammeter should show a charge of at least 3-4 amps.
If not charging the first to do is polarize the generator as Tom stated.

GregLast · 07-23-2015, 11:01 PM

I cannot get this car to start.

It acts like it wants to but when I think it's trying, it stops!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GregLast · 07-23-2015, 11:03 PM

I've checked that there is good clean fuel running to the carb. Carb is a Zenith. Battery registers as 6.2 V DC on the meter.

After trying to start it a few times, I noticed a little smoke coming from the distributor. It's not smoking now, even after trying to start it a couple more times.

I jumped the generator contacts with the battery connected.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mshmodela · 07-24-2015, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Model A's are + ground, so be sure the larger positive post goes to the ground strap.

Just to be sure the generator is polarized jump across the two cutout terminals for 1/2 second with the battery installed. The key won't have to be on for this.

And that you've got a good clean connection to the frame --was not, better now.

GregLast · 07-24-2015, 03:55 PM

Man. Ok.

I replaced the battery. New battery reads 6.2V. It turns the engine over but doesn't start. Just keeps cranking. I checked the plugs and they were black, so I took a little sandpaper in between lightly.

I'm out of ideas.

Mitch//pa · 07-24-2015, 03:58 PM

i repeat post # 9

1crosscut · 07-24-2015, 05:48 PM

When you are cranking are you getting spark?
Pull a plug and let it rest against the head with the plug attached and see if you have spark at the plug.
If not it could be several things. Perhaps the points need cleaned and adjusted.

bambooboy · 07-24-2015, 06:39 PM

greg,its time to start over. do a search on here for starting &running procedure.try that, then clean gas,spark at fairly clean plugs as stated above.as a newby myself it takes some time to get used to an 80 year old car.did grandpa have any books on model A's, if not i have found everything right here just doing a search. tom

GregLast · 07-24-2015, 07:51 PM

I'm familiar with the starting procedure, and I know it has fresh gas (I put it in there). I've checked to make sure fuel is flowing free to the carb. I got it to turn run just a little, but it acted like it was gasping for air, and I saw a little white smoke come from under car (from the carb), then it shut down again.

When the key is off and I press the starter button, it shouldn't try and turn over, right? It does.

GregLast · 07-24-2015, 07:52 PM

I do have some books, and I've been reading those and searching here for things I can try.

07-23-2015, 11:18 AM	#1
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Running rough, won't start after it dies. Hey everyone. I just got my grandfathers 31 Coupe back to the house and I can't for the life of me figure out what I'm doing wrong. It's been sitting in his garage for the last 4 months, largely untouched. He was great about giving it some attention on a regular basis, and since his passing I have taken the car out 3 times to put a little gas in it, start it up, let it idle, and then drive it around the section line. All that went pretty smooth, once the battery was charged. I did have to charge the battery every time, but no more than 30 minutes and it would let me start the car. Trailered it to my place and let the battery charge all day yesterday out of the car. I put the battery in the car, and drove around the neighborhood. After about 20 minutes of driving, it became harder to start the car and keep it running, and eventually wouldn't start at all. I let it sit on the charger overnight, and this morning it started ok, not awesome, and I was able to let it idle for a couple minutes, then it died, it will not start now. When it is running, it's not running smooth like it was before we trailered it to the house. It's rough, I've had a few backfires, and sometimes it acts like it wants more gas, and starts to die, and then finds some and gives me another turn of the engine. I have no clue where to start.

07-23-2015, 11:22 AM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. How old it the battery, also charge it up and then load test it. Is the generator charging? Bob

07-23-2015, 11:35 AM	#3
bobpo1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 301	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. Also with that car sitting so long, you may well have a fuel restriction problem. Maybe drain the tank and clean it out as good as you can and make sure your getting a good flow of fuel. Good Luck and Thanks for taking over the Ol' Lady, give her some TLC and you'll be a happy Model A owner. I have learned so much on this site. As said previously, make sure you have a good battery and an GREAT GROUND.

07-23-2015, 11:35 AM	#4
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. Model A's are + ground, so be sure the larger positive post goes to the ground strap. Just to be sure the generator is polarized jump across the two cutout terminals for 1/2 second with the battery installed. The key won't have to be on for this.

07-23-2015, 12:19 PM	#5
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. The battery is in there good, I just wonder if it's time for a new one. The rough idle is more concerning. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07-23-2015, 01:29 PM	#6
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It sounds like you may have two problems. If you have to charge the battery to start, is tat because it turns over slow? Check connections, an battery/ charging(as mentioned). The bad running could be gas, or electrical. So make sure the battery , generator is working good, then we can move to the next potential solution.

07-23-2015, 01:43 PM	#7
Tacoma Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,025	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. Agree with all the above. IF the battery is sound I would guess the charging system is next. That could be why it's running rough. The battery may be doing all the work. ( firing the plugs).

07-23-2015, 01:55 PM	#8
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. Ck fuel flow at the carb. Verify the point gap. Are you familiar with the spark advance lever on the steering column?? Have you adjusted the GAV?? Paul in CT

07-23-2015, 02:23 PM	#9
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. where are u located? maybe someone can help.....

07-23-2015, 04:34 PM	#10
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. Excellent! That's why I love this place. You guys have my head moving in a good direction. I'll get the battery replaced either tonight or tomorrow. I'm not sure how long he's had that one but it's acting like its spent. How could I check the generator? I have a multimeter. Is there an article I could read that would walk me through? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07-23-2015, 11:01 PM	#12
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. I cannot get this car to start. It acts like it wants to but when I think it's trying, it stops! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07-23-2015, 11:03 PM	#13
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. I've checked that there is good clean fuel running to the carb. Carb is a Zenith. Battery registers as 6.2 V DC on the meter. After trying to start it a few times, I noticed a little smoke coming from the distributor. It's not smoking now, even after trying to start it a couple more times. I jumped the generator contacts with the battery connected. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

07-24-2015, 03:55 PM	#15
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. Man. Ok. I replaced the battery. New battery reads 6.2V. It turns the engine over but doesn't start. Just keeps cranking. I checked the plugs and they were black, so I took a little sandpaper in between lightly. I'm out of ideas.

07-24-2015, 03:58 PM	#16
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. i repeat post # 9

07-24-2015, 05:48 PM	#17
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. When you are cranking are you getting spark? Pull a plug and let it rest against the head with the plug attached and see if you have spark at the plug. If not it could be several things. Perhaps the points need cleaned and adjusted. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

07-24-2015, 06:39 PM	#18
bambooboy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: joppa maryland Posts: 209	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. greg,its time to start over. do a search on here for starting &running procedure.try that, then clean gas,spark at fairly clean plugs as stated above.as a newby myself it takes some time to get used to an 80 year old car.did grandpa have any books on model A's, if not i have found everything right here just doing a search. tom

07-24-2015, 07:51 PM	#19
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. I'm familiar with the starting procedure, and I know it has fresh gas (I put it in there). I've checked to make sure fuel is flowing free to the carb. I got it to turn run just a little, but it acted like it was gasping for air, and I saw a little white smoke come from under car (from the carb), then it shut down again. When the key is off and I press the starter button, it shouldn't try and turn over, right? It does.

07-24-2015, 07:52 PM	#20
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Running rough, won't start after it dies. I do have some books, and I've been reading those and searching here for things I can try.