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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Flathead will not start

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Discussion Topic: Flathead will not start -- page: 1 2 3 4

40headaches

10-09-2015 @ 11:41 AM

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I have a 40Ford 85hp flathead.6volt system, Plugs are good and get a spark when held to motor. Plenty of gas gets to the carb. I replaced the coil brush. Orig. was chipped. Turns over but does not start. I'm open to any ideas. My next step is to get new coil and inner distributor caps. Is it possible to check the points w/ out removing the distributor? Mighty small hole when coil is off.

10-09-2015 @ 12:18 PM

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Sounds as though you motor/engine has very low compression....

Do a compression check and if it's low, pour a little oil into each spark plug hole to raise the compression....

This message was edited by MG on 10-9-15 @ 12:20 PM

40headaches

10-09-2015 @ 12:50 PM

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What would a good and bad compression number be?
Will it be critical that I cannot get the engine up to operating temp. prior to compression check. Hence unable to start it. Am I understanding correctly that there is not a 40 Ford manual available. But one is in the works.

10-09-2015 @ 1:24 PM

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Given that you cannot start the engine, you have no other option to take a compression reading other than with the engine cold. Ideally, your want to see compression readings above 90 lbs. when cold....

When was the last time this engine you have started/run???

This message was edited by MG on 10-9-15 @ 1:30 PM

40headaches

10-09-2015 @ 1:38 PM

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It ran the day I got it. Sept. 30th. 2015. no more than I got it home the problem started. Always taking more time to start. Kept turning over. Drove it Sunday but had it turning over for minutes to get it to fire up. The motor almost fired up on a few tries but failed. Now it just won't at all. Did I burn up the points?

carcrazy

10-09-2015 @ 1:41 PM

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An easy check to see if you have a functioning ignition system is to spray some starting fluid into the air cleaner/carburetor opening before trying to start the engine. If the engine does not fire and try to run with the starting fluid, your ignition system is not operational.

40headaches

10-09-2015 @ 1:43 PM

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Is there a certain dimension that the coil brush should be set to protrude from its little home? I did replace the coils condenser.

10-09-2015 @ 1:54 PM

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40headaches said: "Plugs are good and get a spark when held to motor." That said, the coil brush is doing its job. Is the spark you mention strong? That is, is it at least a 1/4 inch bright blue spark?

40headaches

10-09-2015 @ 2:16 PM

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Not a strong spark at all on 3 of 3 plugs I checked. Also tried the starting fluid test. It wanted to fire but it was like a miss and wound down. If I remove the distributor to get a visual on the points I should have a replacement gasket on hand correct? And will there be any fluid that will be coming out of the motor. I am ignorant w/ motor common sense but that I know. I do appreciate the help I can get on this site.

10-09-2015 @ 2:32 PM

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I'd replace the coil first before removing the distributor. Do you have access to a known good working coil?....

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