Flathead won’t start
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Flathead won’t start
I have a 1948 Ford f1 flathead. I can not get it to start. I have rebuilt the carb. Rebuilt the distributor and set the points. Replaced the fuel pump and fuel pump pushrod. New spark plugs, new plug wires. It ya strong spark. Gas flowing good. Did a compression test, most cylinders are near 90. Nothing super low. Got it to back fire once or twice. Can anyone give me any suggestions that I am missing?
thanks
thanks
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I did not, I did all the previous things in my garage. And I couldn’t figure it out so I sent it to a shop near me, I would think they checked that, but I will double check with them about that on Monday.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: East KY
In the meantime, tell us about the truck. Did it sit a long time? How old is the gasoline in it? You should have at least some sort of fire if it's anywhere close. When I first started my truck (after it sat for literally 20 plus years), I drained about 6 gallons of varnish that used to be gasoline before anything else.
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Some guy was auctioning off his collection of 40 cars. And all of them ran the day of the auction besides the f1. I drained the oil and replaced it. And the gas was pretty much empty. So I added about 5 gallons of fresh gas. It has backfired once or twice. But not too promising
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The last service sticker is like 25 years old. Not that that means much. But I’d assume it say for some while. The carb was very gunned up and the old fuel pump was nasty
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,823
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From: Mason City, Iowa
I agree with Doc, could be the timing is way off. Check to see when cylinder 1 is at TDC on compression stroke, that your rotor is pointing to the #1 plug wire on the distributor. I would also double check to make sure the firing order is correct. (The wires from the distributor are connected to the correct plugs.) Hope this helps!
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Phantom of the Phorum
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Kentucky
Vanpelt Sales is a great resource for Flathead tune-up information, including firing order.
You can check out the 1948 information here: Flathead Tuneup Specs for 1932-48 V8 (221 & 239)
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You can check out the 1948 information here: Flathead Tuneup Specs for 1932-48 V8 (221 & 239)
Welcome to FTE!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,867
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I bought a beater truck with a flat six that spun over and wohld occasionally back fire but wouldn't start. Checked the distributor and it was rotated 180°. Took it out, turned it around and it fired rught up.
