The Ford Barn

rjlester · 03-27-2023, 06:54 PM

Just bought a 54 Meteor Skyliner, been parked for possibly 25 or 30 years. It has a 239 flathead in it, that my friend started with a 12 volt battery when I picked it up. He had a hard time starting it, but once it did start, it ran nice and smooth, no smoke or noise at all. Had nothing in the cooling system so he shut it down after maybe 30 seconds.

The car was a deal I couldn't refuse, and I'm thrilled to have it. Needs body work, and some other things. Now I'm trying to start it with a 6 volt battery and it just wont even sputter. Checked compression, and they were all 50 to 65 PSI. I added oil to a couple of them, and they went up to 75. I suspect the rings are stuck from sitting. Engine is totally clean outside, like not a spec of dirt/grease/oil top to bottom. Almost like it was rebuilt many years ago. The history of the car is pretty much unknown.

I checked the points and all is good there, lots of spark. I tore the carb apart last night, fully cleaned it as it was a bit corroded/gummed up. Still wouldn't start.

The solenoid was getting hot, and then broke when I tightened it up so I bought a new one today and will replace it tonight along with cleaning up all the connections. It seemed to turn over slow for a 6 volt, my other car (54 Meteor, original 255 flathead) spins a lot faster.

Am I on the right track with the solenoid and cleaning the connections? I'm new to 6 volt cars, and I LOVE THEM. Haha.

My hope is to get it so I can start it without issues, and then once I fill the cooling system, let it run for long periods, that woke up my other 54 last year real nice. It was even "seized" but is now one of the nicest running flatheads around.

03-27-2023, 06:54 PM	#1
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 291	How to start a low compression flathead? Just bought a 54 Meteor Skyliner, been parked for possibly 25 or 30 years. It has a 239 flathead in it, that my friend started with a 12 volt battery when I picked it up. He had a hard time starting it, but once it did start, it ran nice and smooth, no smoke or noise at all. Had nothing in the cooling system so he shut it down after maybe 30 seconds. The car was a deal I couldn't refuse, and I'm thrilled to have it. Needs body work, and some other things. Now I'm trying to start it with a 6 volt battery and it just wont even sputter. Checked compression, and they were all 50 to 65 PSI. I added oil to a couple of them, and they went up to 75. I suspect the rings are stuck from sitting. Engine is totally clean outside, like not a spec of dirt/grease/oil top to bottom. Almost like it was rebuilt many years ago. The history of the car is pretty much unknown. I checked the points and all is good there, lots of spark. I tore the carb apart last night, fully cleaned it as it was a bit corroded/gummed up. Still wouldn't start. The solenoid was getting hot, and then broke when I tightened it up so I bought a new one today and will replace it tonight along with cleaning up all the connections. It seemed to turn over slow for a 6 volt, my other car (54 Meteor, original 255 flathead) spins a lot faster. Am I on the right track with the solenoid and cleaning the connections? I'm new to 6 volt cars, and I LOVE THEM. Haha. My hope is to get it so I can start it without issues, and then once I fill the cooling system, let it run for long periods, that woke up my other 54 last year real nice. It was even "seized" but is now one of the nicest running flatheads around.