MTFCA Forum

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.

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.

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.

Our 1925 Touring will free start almost all the time, if the engine is warm.

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" ?

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!

"....a free start, long seconds after the key is turned on...."

Starting on magneto is safest.

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

Following Mr. Bingham's definition of a free start, I've only experienced that once or twice. That always warrants excited laughter.

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.

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.

^^ I can vouch for that, Steve.

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.

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