MTFCA Forum

Sorting out the Ghost is almost done and I'm looking forward to getting some driving in. Yet now we have a new thing rather than an old one.

The Ghost will not start beyond a brief chuff or two as it burns up the primed gas mixture. I can't even get around the fender from the crank to the steering column before it's stopped. It will do a momentary free start when I turn the key to battery, but the moment the primed gas is gone, thats it, over.

I've put in a rebuilt NH as a temporary backup while the G is being rebuilt. It's previously run on both carbs without issue, and typically started on mag and battery both with two or three quarter turns of the crank. I've increased the throttle and opened up the fuel mixture, but this does not help and also seems like a non-solution given that the car previously ran on its ordinary settings. Coils freshly rebuilt, have run before. The only thing different this time is that I installed a new (old) commutator that came with the car, in better condition than the previous one.

It seems the fuel is not reaching the motor, but I'm not sure what is keeping it from doing so. Who ya going to call?

Same type commuter/roller?
If you switch from one style to another, your advance/retard timing positions can be different.

IF you have a "potato" fuel filter/shut off, Check the screen. I had green mung in mine TWICE.

Good Luck

As you get the occasional free start, the timing is spot on and spark must be strong. Fuel is your problem as you suspect yourself. Check the fuel from the tank through to the carb, your problem is somewhere there, screen in the bulb, maybe flakes blocking the entrance to the shut off, dirt in the line, sticking float needle, maybe a blocked passage in the carb, You'll find it, good luck .

Check for a stuck float.

I went through the same, or similar, thing lately. Even though I just set the timing, I did something that messed it up. On rechecking it, I was way off. So, just sayin', recheck your timing.

Thanks for the input.

Tracked it down to a stuck rubber-tip needle valve in the rebuilt NH carb. Cleaned up the G and put it back in. She started like a dream, barely two quarter cranks. Started just as nicely on mag with one quarter turn. Took her down the block but found the clutch grabbed when put into high. This is a known issue and I'd already adjusted it once -- but apparently not enough.

Closer and closer . .

Leave the rubber tips for the back side of pencils, the old stuff works!
Use a coffee stirrer heated and pushed down onto the needle to twist the needle in the seat with a mix of oil and ajax to reseat the brass needle and it will be fine