MTFCA Forum

Engine has not been started in a couple of years.

New 12V battery, new fuel tank and sediment bulb, full flowing fuel.

Mixture knob counterclockwise about 7/8 of a turn.

We removed the hot air pipe to make it easier to spray starting fluid.

Carburetor is a Kingston, L-4 I think.

It did start once, and ran for about 4 - 5 seconds, roughly.

Pictures show the settings for the carburetor and the timer.

It did backfire through the carburetor a couple of times, but that got fixed by connecting the spark lever to the steering column!

We're open to suggestions...!

Any help is appreciated.

Thx.

Bill. Have you checked the compression? 35 lbs in each hole is sort of a minimum. Getting fire to each hole is the next consideration. Lay the spark plugs, with wires connected, on top of the head, and rotate the crank. See that each plug fires. Next, it’s all about fuel. Skip the ether spray and crank the carb open to two turns. Pour a little fuel into cylinder, put the plugs back in and try to start it.

Carbe is L4. Try opening the spray needle more. I don't see a gasket between the carb and intake. Have you checked compression? Full fuel flow, have you opened the drain on the carb and let it flow for more then a few seconds? Are you pre priming the motor with the choke? If so, does it sound like you are pulling fuel in, you should be able to hear it.

Look like the throttle is wide open. Better hope it doesn't fire up like that so hook up the linkage and try again.

I assume the spark plug wires are connected correctly. Any chance of a problem with the Batt/Mag switch or coilbox connections? Corrosion can sometimes be a problem when a cars has set for years. Pull the coils and clean the contacts.

When it was last shut down was the fuel run out of the carb or has it been sitting for years?

How well was it running when last shut down?

Bill Everett wrote: ↑

Sun May 16, 2021 10:03 am

Engine has not been started in a couple of years.

Mixture knob counterclockwise about 7/8 of a turn.

It did start once, and ran for about 4 - 5 seconds, roughly.

Pictures show the settings for the carburetor and the timer.

It did backfire through the carburetor a couple of times, but that got fixed by connecting the spark lever to the steering column!

Any help is appreciated.

Thx.

Bruce Compton wrote: ↑

Sun May 16, 2021 10:30 am

Look like the throttle is wide open. Better hope it doesn't fire up like that so hook up the linkage and try again.

I agree with Bruce. Why is the carb unhooked ?
I would start here, it’s not gonna start with the throttle wide open.
You show the lever but not the actual timer.

Hook the throttle up, open it about 4-5 notches at the column. Open the mixture about 1-1/2 turns from closed. Make sure the timer is set according with the service manual and try it.

If still no joy, check compression, spark, plugs, coils....

I should start by draining the float bowl and wait till there is good gas comming out.
Than open the spray needle for 1.5 turns and prime the engine with the trotle lever half way down and the choke closed. Turn the engine over till gas is leaking on the ground.

Set the contact on, set the ignition lever two or three notches down and try to start the engine.

Good luck
Andre
Belgium

Are you cranking with the starter? Is ignition switched to "Bat"? Are you using the choke during cranking? (Hook up throtle linkage!)A T will usually start fairly easily, even if there are some issues.

Compression, timing, spark, gas. Got 'em ? She'll run.

Are you cranking with the starter?

It's a brass era car. Most likely there isn't one. Even so, I would start on BAT.

When working on fuel problems let the gas flow into a white container ... like a white ceramic cup. This will help you see the debris, if any, much easier.

Turn the adjustment on the carb all the way down and then open a turn and a half.

Use a battery and set on BAT

Set the spark on full retard and the gas around six notches.

Crank four times with the choke pulled all the way. You should hear gas sloshing in the carburetor.

Remember to set the spark to full retard! Then turn on the ignition (on BAT) and you should hear a coil buzz. Put the crank at 7:00 and pull up to 12:00 several times and it should start if you heard the gas sloshing and the coil buzzing.

Once started advance the spark and dial back the gas until it sounds good.

Make sure your roller on the timer is not 180 degrees off. That will produce the effects you descibed while trying to start car.

Tried to start my new Joe Bell rebuilt engine, but no go. Finally got back to it today, and found I had switched two harness wires at the coil box. I plead temporary insanity. Fixed the wires, did the normal starting prep as outlined above, and she came to life!

This is not my first rodeo, and I thought I had everything perfect. Goes to show you can't be too careful checking things out.

Good luck, Bill

Aren’t you glad you found it! Sure beats takings thing all apart to no avail. Good deal!