Holley G priming question

[NealW]

In April I finished a frame up restoration of a 15 runabout. Everything was rebuilt, including the coils and Holley G carburetor. The car runs and drives great, including starting on the magneto only. I don't have a starter, but do have a 6V "hotshot" type battery to tickle the coils if I start on the battery setting.

While normally pretty easy to start, a couple of nights ago it took me forever to get it started. I suspect that I flooded it, because I choked it for two pulls prior to try starting it. I was wondering if any of you with more experience with using a Holley G would share how much, if any you prime it prior to starting and if that varies with how cold or warm it is. When warm I can start it with one or two 1/4 crank turns on mag with the timing set at 3-4 notches and the throttle at about 7 notches. The mixture is out close to 1 turn. Similarly warm and with the timing fully retarded and on battery, I can get a free start almost every time. Last night I was doing that and was going back and forth between one pull starting on mag and then getting free starts on battery. Our 21 touring has a NH and I get a reasonable amount of free starts, but not like this!

Anyway, any words of wisdom on how much to prime a G when "cold" would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Neal

[Rich Bingham]

I love the Holley “G” carb, and put one on my ‘13 even though it’s not “correct”.

Others with more carb savvy are welcome to correct my notions, but I would say the float adjustment and resulting “puddle” at the strangling tube is the most critical aspect of setup for good results.

I have not started my Lizzie in severe cold, but from 20F on up, two half turns choked then a quarter turn on bat and she’ll go, if I don’t get a free start. Warm after running, any choking will flood her, but she fires easily on mag with a quarter turn.

Adjusting the mixture, my starting point has been a turn and a half open. At top operating temperature I can lean it up a little over a quarter turn, but cold starting is difficult if I forgot to open it back up to the original position.

I run a TW timer, and never advance the spark at all starting cold or warm, on battery or magneto. When it’s colder sometimes I need to “flutter” the choke ‘til she catches strong to run.

[StanHowe]

Remove the three screws that hold the cover on, remove it, look down in the bottom where the little pan is for the idle feed tube to sit in the fuel. The fuel level should be above the bottom of the idle feed tube. Look to see if the drain tube is sticking up above the bottom of the machined area about 3/32 of an inch. If it is not, it will often hold a pool of fuel in the bottom of the carb. 100 years of rebuilding often resulted in that tube being soldered shut, cut off, etc. If the fuel level is too high that allows it to drain. If the float is too high it will set there and drip. If the fuel is too low it will be hard to start and idle erratically.

[NealW]

Well after work today I decided to try starting the 15 without doing any choked cranks first. It was 'cold', as cold as it is at 95 degrees in the shade. Anyway, the mixture, timing for mag starting and gas set as described in my first post, it started on the first quarter turn. I turned it off and it started again on the first turn. I guess in warmer weather I'll refrain from choking, and only do so if it doesn't pop after a few cranks. There's nothing like having a T pop on the first crank, well I guess other than a free start.

[Mountainrider]

Once you get the float level correct the G is a great carb up to 35 mph. I only prime mine when it gets below 60 out. Starts the rest of the time one or two cranks with an extra 1/4 turn on the mixture.

[Oldav8tor]

Once you get the float level correct the G is a great carb up to 35 mph.

The Holley G in my 1917 Touring performs well past 35 MPH - I have no problem holding 40 MPH+ and that's with a ten-tooth pinion. Don't get me wrong, I prefer driving at speeds below 35 anyway.... watching the world go slowly by is one of the attractions of owning a Model T.

[Rich Bingham]

Thanks for the testimonial Tim. I’ve never noticed any lack of response with a Holley G. Plowing through heavy mud or sand or negotiating a steep grade in low gear is more in keeping with the power requirements of the T engine than driving at speeds above 35mph. A stock Model T will lope along at 25 to 30 per all day long, year in and year out, and happily, too. I believe the stress of pounding along at 45mph shortens the life of rod bearings to a very few measurable hours unless an engine has been significantly modified.

I can well understand the “need for speed” 21st century T owners desire in this modern driving environment that in no way resembles the world the Model T was born into and was purposed for. It explains the keen interest on these boards in speedsters and the wide variety of modifications intended to force Lizzie into traveling much faster than she was designed to go. Not enough T owners find themselves compensated for that perceived failing by the fact that the Model T always was, and remains, a more than adequate all-terrain vehicle!

[Mountainrider]

My 15’ T easily goes to 40 but it and I much prefers 35. Had a Holly NH straight through on it for a little while when the G was getting rebuilt. Easily wet to 45. Starts so easy with the G and Idles and Accelerates very smoothly.

[NealW]

This morning it was in the mid 70's (compared to the mid 90's from my earlier posts) in the garage, as well as a few days since I last started the T. Continuing with my experimenting, I wanted to see how many pulls it would take to start without choking or richening up the mixture 1/4 turn as Neil does. It took three pulls on the mag to start. I went to get some gas, followed by a short drive. After gassing up I thought I'd try to see if my free start streak would continue when warm. Sure enough, it did. Customers may have wondered why I was using the "electric" start while I was standing next to the car...

Anyway, it was a nice morning for a drive and was also the first time that I drove it with the top up since finishing the restoration. The visibility is much better out the back with the bigger window right behind me than the 3 narrow windows further behind on our 21 touring. I wonder why Ford thought it would be a good idea to make the rear windows SMALLER.

When I got home, I stopped before turning in to take a couple of pictures and put the top down. With the top up, the bow just barely clears the garage door frame and is too close for comfort for me. After taking a few pictures, I turned it to battery an she started right up on its own. I thought I have gotten more than my fair share of free starts with our NH equipped 21, but this is ridiculous! Now if it will only start this easy during the winter...

Neal