Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
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Topic author - Posts: 6463
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- MTFCA Number: 16175
- MTFCI Number: 14758
- Board Member Since: 2007
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Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
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
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- First Name: Michael
- Last Name: Royster
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
Had an old mechanic tell me one day "99% of all carburetor problems were electrical." I have found it often to be so!
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
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.
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
Is the engine still a little stiff? How is it acting after the rebuild? Do you like the scat crank?
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- Posts: 248
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
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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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
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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Topic author - Posts: 6463
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- MTFCA Number: 16175
- MTFCI Number: 14758
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
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.
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.
Stock Ford clutch. No problems.
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.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
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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Topic author - Posts: 6463
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
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- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- MTFCA Number: 16175
- MTFCI Number: 14758
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Hard starting: sometimes the answer is simple
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
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring