Carburator Problem - L4

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Carburator Problem - L4
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 06:30 pm:

My 15 T has a Kingston L4 on it that I have rebuilt. The cars runs perfectly, engine sounds good.

The problem is with starting (handcranking). Used to be that 2 priming pulls (with the choke on) and 1 maybe 2 cranks with the ignition on would start her. I could count on it.

Now it takes 15 or 20 cranks before she will start. I've tried every combination of chokeing and throttle setting I can think of ..... with no joy. Still 15 or 20 cranks, then it starts and runs perfectly. I have taken the carb apart several times but its clean as a whistle. Timing is fine.

Today (in my frustration) I dribbled about an ounce or two of gas into the carb intake with a vinyl hose (I know - way too much). Two priming cranks (no choke used) turn on the ignition - FREE START !!!

Can anyone tell me what's going on here ?

Thanks
schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ted Dumas on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 07:07 pm:

Check the threaded plugs on top and side of the carburetor. On my L-4, the car had been running fine but now wouldn't start. When I pulled the carb the screw by the throttle had backed out a few turns. I cleaned the carb and tightened both big brass screws and now we are off and running.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 07:44 pm:

Thanks Ted I will check it tomorrow!

schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Zahorik on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 08:27 pm:

I had the opposite problem in that the carburetor would flood all the time. It seemed to work fine prior to that, all of a sudden this occurred. What happened was that the float level changed. For the life of me I do not know how it happened, maybe some kind of shock. Imagine that vibration or a big bump. Anyway if the float level is too low, the fuel level will be low in the air passage and will require more vacuum to pull the fuel out into the air passage. Resulting in hard starting.
Are you sure it is an L-4? Shouldn't a 1915 have an L-2? Or was the carb changed at some point. Either way my guess is to check the float level. The float level should be 7/16" from the machined surface where the bowl seats to the top of the float. The L-2 and L-4 are the same float level.
Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 09:51 pm:

Mike

Yep, its an L4 - apparently changed out at some point. I will check float level again. Right now the float level is set parallel to the carb top when held inverted, Not sure if thats 7/16" but will check tomorrow.

thanks
schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 09:57 pm:

I suspect that you choked it too much before starting. When my car with a L4 is cold, one pull up with choke is all the priming I need. Here is the sequence I use. Key off pull up once with choke out. Turn one complete revolution without choke. Turn on to batt get free start. If it doesn't get free start, one pull up with LEFT hand and it starts right up. My other cars have Holly NH and need two pulls up for priming, and even sometimes when hot if stopped for a few minutes, will need one pull with choke before they will start. I find that the Kingston needs less choke to start under any condition.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 05:26 pm:

Norman

Definitely not choked too much as the only way it will start is if I dump about 2 oz of raw gas in the throat of the carb !

I have checked both the float level and the air tightness of the brass screws - all well there.

I have disassembled it again to check that all passages are clean. I am following this diagram I found on the forum:




One problem is that I cannot find the 2 air bleed passages to clean them out!
Is it possible I have misidentified the carb and it is really an L2 ?
Below are some pics of the carb. Is it an L4 and if so how do I find the air bleed passages to clean them out ?









Thanks
schuh


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bud Holzschuh - Panama City, FL on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 09:40 pm:

Oops - never mind. Found the air bleed passages. They are EXTREMELY hard to see and even harder to clean out. So it is an L4.

schuh


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