Free start
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Topic author - Posts: 85
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2019 10:44 am
- First Name: Rod
- Last Name: Petrie
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 TT
- Location: Thedford, Ne
Free start
After driving my 26TT almost every day for 6 months I got my first free start. I am curious as to how often others get a free start.
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- Posts: 404
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:39 pm
- First Name: Val
- Last Name: Soupios
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '10 touring, '12 touring, '13 hack, '14 runabout, '14 touring, '14 speedster, '22 centerdoor, '27 touring
- Location: Jupiter Florida
Re: Free start
I get them often on all my T's, even starting cold. Oddly, they almost never fail to start on their own when there are people waiting to see me start them with the crank! It's almost as if they are toying with me.
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- Posts: 350
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:17 am
- First Name: Tad
- Last Name: Glahn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe, 1926 TT Closed Cab, 1924 Runabout
- Location: Grant's Lick, Kentucky
- MTFCA Number: 51667
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: Free start
With clean spark plugs and warm weather mine will free-start most of the time. So long as I prime it first and have a coil buzzing. Timing needs to be just right.
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- Posts: 452
- Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2022 6:23 pm
- First Name: Austin
- Last Name: Farmer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1922 Touring
- Location: N.W. Illinois
Re: Free start
Our 1925 Touring will free start almost all the time, if the engine is warm.
The future of our hobby does not depend as much on youth, but on the future of internal combustion.
The past is only simple because hindsight is 20/20.
The past is only simple because hindsight is 20/20.
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- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2022 11:24 am
- First Name: Rich
- Last Name: Bingham
- Location: Blackfoot, Idaho
- Board Member Since: 2015
Re: Free start
Question ?
To me, a "true" free start is when the engine takes right off when you switch to "bat" without any "prepping".
I have experienced that only twice, when my Lizzie came off the transport after a 2500 mile trip. Ten o'clock on Halloween night. I hadn't driven a T in thirty years, and killed the motor getting her into the garage - I got a second free start and reckoned that meant she liked me. It was kind of a metaphysical experience.
As for "sort of" free starts, on a turn and a half with choke, she'll start when switched on 90% of the time - but is that truly a "free start" ?
To me, a "true" free start is when the engine takes right off when you switch to "bat" without any "prepping".
I have experienced that only twice, when my Lizzie came off the transport after a 2500 mile trip. Ten o'clock on Halloween night. I hadn't driven a T in thirty years, and killed the motor getting her into the garage - I got a second free start and reckoned that meant she liked me. It was kind of a metaphysical experience.
As for "sort of" free starts, on a turn and a half with choke, she'll start when switched on 90% of the time - but is that truly a "free start" ?
Get a horse !
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- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
- First Name: Scott
- Last Name: Conger
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13, '15, '19, '23
- Location: Clark, WY
- Board Member Since: 2005
Re: Free start
a free start, long seconds after the key is turned on, but just prior to putting your hand on the crank is the most enervating Free Start there is.
hopefully your heart and wrist survive the event!
hopefully your heart and wrist survive the event!
Scott Conger
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny
NH Full Flow Float Valves
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured
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- Posts: 6411
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
- First Name: Pat
- Last Name: McNallen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
- Location: Graham, Texas
- MTFCA Number: 51486
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: Free start
"....a free start, long seconds after the key is turned on...."
Starting on magneto is safest.
Starting on magneto is safest.
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- Posts: 4068
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
- First Name: Norman
- Last Name: Kling
- Location: Alpine California
Re: Free start
Depends on where the crankshaft stopped last time it turned. Also whether there is fuel mixture in all cylinders and the position of the throttle and spark levers when the key is turned to battery. also how the mixture is set. Usually needs to be just on the rich side if the engine is cold. Or just at the sweet spot when warm. Mine will often free start right after I stop to get gas and the tank is full and the engine is warm and turned off just before I filled the tank. Then I get in and turn on the key, and it starts. It also happens when I am parked and someone asks me to show them how to crank. Soon as I turn on the ignition it starts! Either that happens or it won't start with the crank. Maybe it starts with crank but dies before I can get around to advance the spark! It is easier to crank start when no one is looking!
Norm
Norm
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- Posts: 350
- Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:17 am
- First Name: Tad
- Last Name: Glahn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe, 1926 TT Closed Cab, 1924 Runabout
- Location: Grant's Lick, Kentucky
- MTFCA Number: 51667
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: Free start
Following Mr. Bingham's definition of a free start, I've only experienced that once or twice. That always warrants excited laughter.
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- Posts: 6411
- Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:08 pm
- First Name: Pat
- Last Name: McNallen
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926-7 roadster
- Location: Graham, Texas
- MTFCA Number: 51486
- Board Member Since: 2021
Re: Free start
My car will usually free start when warm if I richen the mixture a little just before shutting it off. It only rarely free starts after sitting overnight. A stock cam is probably best for free starts. A good free neutral would be helpful also. If I turn off the ignition at about 900 RPM, that seems to help.
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- 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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Re: Free start
The likelihood of free starts depends on several variables, as Norm has mentioned. I get them often when the car has warmed up, never cold. When I get them it's usually instantaneously when I flip the switch, but occasionally I get the one Scott described, where you're reaching for the crank and the car suddenly starts before you touch it.
Remember Mister Ed? He talked to Wilbur when they were alone together, but wouldn't say a word when anybody else was around. My car will usually start on one pull when warmed up, or often free start. But when people are watching it will often make me work. I call it Mister Ed.
Remember Mister Ed? He talked to Wilbur when they were alone together, but wouldn't say a word when anybody else was around. My car will usually start on one pull when warmed up, or often free start. But when people are watching it will often make me work. I call it Mister Ed.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- Posts: 149
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 11:15 am
- First Name: Jason
- Last Name: Kuczynski
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915ish speedster in parts, building a T V8 roadster pickup for support vehicle
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Board Member Since: 2003
Re: Free start
^^ I can vouch for that, Steve.
My other car is an Amish Drag Buggy.
Barnstormers VSC
Si vestri 'non prius novissimo
Celeritate Est Vita
Antique Vehicle Mechanic- Greenfield Village
Barnstormers VSC
Si vestri 'non prius novissimo
Celeritate Est Vita
Antique Vehicle Mechanic- Greenfield Village
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- Posts: 364
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:25 pm
- First Name: Dick
- Last Name: Fischer
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Touring
- Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Re: Free start
My first free start came the first time I ever tried to start a Model T. I was new to T's and had never even heard of such a thing. I had jacked up the rear wheel and pulled the crank through to prime the engine, then walked around to turn on the switch and begin cranking. As soon as I turned the switch to BAT the engine gave a lurch and roared into life, rear wheel spinning madly. It scared the heck out of me; so much so that I immediately switched it back off.
It was winter time and the temperature was about 30F. My hands were already cold and I had assumed I'd be doing a bit of cranking to warm up. Now, as I stood there trying to understand what had happened I realized just how cold I was. And shivering. Went back in the house, got a hot drink to warm up and sat down, trying to grasp what had just happened.
Thinking through how the ignition system worked, I realized that the engine didn't have to be turning in order to make sparks. An hour or so later, the adrenalin having subsided, I ventured back outside and gingerly gave it another try. I fully expected it to jump back into life as before, but it just sat quietly and waited for me to crank.
I bet I didn't get a second free start for a year afterward.
It was winter time and the temperature was about 30F. My hands were already cold and I had assumed I'd be doing a bit of cranking to warm up. Now, as I stood there trying to understand what had happened I realized just how cold I was. And shivering. Went back in the house, got a hot drink to warm up and sat down, trying to grasp what had just happened.
Thinking through how the ignition system worked, I realized that the engine didn't have to be turning in order to make sparks. An hour or so later, the adrenalin having subsided, I ventured back outside and gingerly gave it another try. I fully expected it to jump back into life as before, but it just sat quietly and waited for me to crank.
I bet I didn't get a second free start for a year afterward.
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- Posts: 6789
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- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
- MTFCA Number: 1219
- Contact:
Re: Free start
Often when we least expect them. I often get a chuff from one car even after sitting for days and a free start 1 out of 16 times or so. The other 4 hardly ever. The engines don't always stop at the same place. Momentum, temperature and the phase of the moon have something to do with it.
Rich
Rich
When did I do that?