Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

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Steve Jelf
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Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by Steve Jelf » Sat Sep 28, 2019 9:26 am

Even wearing an NH, Lizzie was making me work too much to get started. Wire brushing all the soot off the plugs improved starting considerably.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Mike Royster
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by Mike Royster » Sat Sep 28, 2019 9:56 am

Had an old mechanic tell me one day "99% of all carburetor problems were electrical." I have found it often to be so!


Mark Osterman
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by Mark Osterman » Sat Sep 28, 2019 11:19 am

Steve, If you had so much soot that cleaning made a difference you probably need to run more lean. That could also account for your milage. Once you get up to operating temp on your long drives, turn back the carb adjusting needle a little.


Joe Reid
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by Joe Reid » Sun Sep 29, 2019 12:46 am

Is the engine still a little stiff? How is it acting after the rebuild? Do you like the scat crank?


Joe Reid
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by Joe Reid » Sun Sep 29, 2019 12:50 am

As the engine “breaks in” do you have to make continuous adjustments? I keep having to adjust things on my 1920. It runs a little different. Do you have the standard clutch or is it the jackrabbit? Mine has a jackrabbit and it is really smooth.

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George N Lake Ozark
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by George N Lake Ozark » Sun Sep 29, 2019 1:57 am

Years ago on this form was a debate on spark plug gap with high compression engines. The consensus was to narrow the gap to.025 from the normal setting of .030/.032.

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by Steve Jelf » Sun Sep 29, 2019 10:56 am

The engine was as stiff as you might expect at first, but after driving over 2000 miles it turns as easily as ever. There's still some iron fuzz on the magnet when I change oil, but less each time The crank is fine. With so much attention to balancing rods, pistons, drums, etc., it's pretty smooth.

Stock Ford clutch. No problems.


IMG_2522 copy.JPG
I've been setting plug gap between .025" and .030", about .028". Maybe I'll narrow that to .025" and see if it makes any difference.
The inevitable often happens.
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Chris Barker
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by Chris Barker » Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:08 am

Can anyone think of any reason at all why narrowing plug gaps from .03 to .025 should make things better in a HC engine - or any engine - if was starting OK at .03?

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple

Post by Steve Jelf » Sun Sep 29, 2019 11:30 am

No, but if it wasn't starting perfectly maybe it would make a difference. If I understand this correctly, higher compression reduces the ability of plugs to make a spark. Maybe a slightly smaller gap would make for a better spark under the higher compression.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

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