Terraplane, or Terrible pain starting problems

Hudsonrules
Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
:unsure: I need some ideas why I have to choke the heck out of my 1937 Terraplane when I start it. If i begin to push the choke in, the engine dies unless I choke it more. Then it races. I have not been able to get it to idle as yet. It sounds healthy but the choke is bothering me. It as a add on manual choke which I have adjusted and hope it stays where it is at. I close the choke tight, engine starts, begin to push choke in, open, the engine dies. I must be doing or have done something wrong. Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks, Arnie in Nevada.

Comments

  • Marconi
    Marconi Senior Contributor
    Hi Arnie, sounds to me like you've got a vacuum leak somewhere. A couple of extreme cases I've seen over the years, 1 the gasketm between the intake and exhaust manifolds leaking or installed backwards causing a leak. 2 The intake manifold being burned thru at the hot spot below the carb and sucking exhaust into the intake. Not so extreme manifold gaskets failing, carburetor base loose from main bode, screws loosening, Carb body warped. But start with vacuum hoses, wiper motor etc. Vacuum hose at wiper motor somtimes will crack where it goes onto the fitting at the motor under the dash! Good luck. Hope I've given you some ideas where to look.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    It also could be a case of varnish inside the carb and this will block gas from going through the jets. Start engine and leave hand choke all the way out and spray brake-kleen around the intake gasket to test if it's leaking vacuum. If leaking, engine will die, there is your problem. If nothing happens, then remove carb and clean it out. Walt.
  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    How about a little background on how this condition came about ... all of a sudden, always done it, or ... ? Was anything changed, like the carb? Happens only on a cold start, or does it never want to run unless the choke's almost fully closed?
  • Hudsonrules
    Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
    :cheer: :cheer: Thanks for the information. I bought this Terraplane just over three years ago. It was represented as a running, driving car that I could get in and drive. Of course I bought it sight unseen and the owner told me her son drove it regularly to town. Paid for the car, had it shipped and was I surprised. Very dusty, not running, no brakes, did have a newer battery though. I did get it to run, but had to have the carburator rebuilt, rebuilt fuel pump, bled the brakes and the car would barely move. Adjusted the clutch and it was better. Drove the car less than twenty miles and the clutch gave out. I put the car in my shop and had to pull the engine as some one had put an overdrive on the back of the transmission, The Terraplane has been in the shop for nearly three years. It is back together, but I am having starting issues, I replaced the fuel pump again. I do have to choke it to keep it running, so possible vacum leak which I will check out. I have crazy hours and my wife has some health issues, so I do not have the time to spend on it to get it right. I keep getting interupted. I know this happens as we get "wiser". Thanks, Arnie in Nevada.
  • Richard E.
    Richard E. Senior Contributor
    Arnie, did you check the postion of the heat riser in the intake manifold when you had it apart? Mine was stuck shut at one point and it caused all sorts of problems. My advice is keep it open at all times.
  • junkcarfann
    junkcarfann Expert Adviser
    edited June 2011
    If the engine needs full or almost full choke, it is because the air/fuel mixture is off. It is too "lean", i.e. there is too much air, and/or not enough fuel in the mixture.

    There are two causes for this.

    First, it could be getting too much air, thus leaning out the mixture. Choking it reduces the incoming air, thereby richening the mixture, so the engine will run.

    This is usually a vacuum leak. For starters, I would take the vaccuum line to the wipers, disconnect it and plug it up. And any other vacuum lines someone may have put on. And also tighten the bolts holding down the carb to the intake manifold.

    The other cause is not enough fuel, which is usually the carburetor itself clogged/plugged up inside. Could be the idle circuit. As Walt said, take it a part and clean it. It also could be the mixture settings on the carb itself, but I doubt it. Sitting for a few years will definitaly cause the gas to turn to glue and plug things up.

    Rebuild the carburetor, cleaning it out well, and make sure the gasket at its base is good, and that no other leaks such as vacuum hose to the wipers is bad.
  • Hudsonrules
    Hudsonrules Senior Contributor
    :cheer: :cheer: Checked for vacuum leaks, took care of what I found and the Terraplane starts and runs much better. Thanks for the help and input. Arnie in Nevada
  • Jay_G
    Jay_G Expert Adviser
    My thought is back to the carb and the idle circuit. It sounds to me like something is pluged. Try some spray carb cleaner, also how old is the gas?

    Jay
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