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Banging my head 45 won’t start

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Old Jul 20, 2022 | 10:30 PM
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Default Banging my head 45 won’t start

I have a 1947 HD 45 wl , I totally restored it in 2015 from the ground up and it run awesome!! Two kicks when she is cold and away we motored!
but the thing that happen recently is that it just shut down!!!!
here’s what I’ve checked over ( TWICE)
1. Battery charger.
2. Pulled carb ( Linkert m88 ) deep cleaned and reset all settings.
3. Traced all wiring, for shorts or loose connections.
4. Checked fuel line( clear and free)
5. Installed new points and condenser, adjust and set point gap.
6. Check intake manifold for leaks ( kind of!! ) can’t get complete seal because all four valve never completely close.
7. Check ignition switch.
8. Check valve gap.
9. Checked valve springs if any were broken ( by lifting the valve spring cover.
10. Rechecked timing.
11. Checked for strong spark ( ouch )
12. Cleaned spark plugs .
the last things I notice is no matter how many time I fully chock it and try to kick start it the plugs are never wet!!???
But if I squirt some gas deep in the carb I can get it started!!!
so why is the fuel not getting sucked into the cylinder heads???
If anyone has been down this road I could sure use some HELP!!
thanks,
sign Banging my noodle!
 
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 05:12 AM
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From: la la land jerzey
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If the intake manifold seals are brass - then that is first thing to fix - the brass seals today are not what we had back in the 60s and 70s as they are an alloy blend and not a soft brass - years ago when removing an intake you always seen the cuts on the seals from assembly — not today they are way too hard of a material

peek seals are what you want to be using - its a plastic type material and work like the real ones from back then in that they form fit
 
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 06:34 AM
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As John stated your issue is an intake manifold leak. PEEK seals should be ordered, then after installation you must do a bubble test of the manifold.

You may have a bad intake nipple causing a really bad intake leak.

Give this a read:

http://virtualindian.org/11techleaktest.html

You can buy a test rig or just make one. Good luck and report back to us.

Free rig I made from a steel plate and a left over inner tube. You will also need a regulator to set the pressure to 14.5 PSI.

 
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 08:44 AM
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John,
thanks for the idea on intake seals leaking.
I did try to do a leak test on the intake manifold ( did a lot of reading and watching videos on how to do ) but the cylinders don’t completely seal due to the fact that one exhaust valve is always opened which stops from a complete sealed combustion chamber.
Unless I’m doing something wrong here???
the seals that I currently have on the intake manifold don’t appear to be brass they are of a harder metal.
But since this does keep coming up in everything I read I’ll just go ahead and replace them with Peek seals like you recommend.
I do have Bruce Palmers restoration book but I don’t see anything on how to replace the seals. Would you happen to have any instructions sheet on perform this task?
 
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 10:32 AM
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Remove the carb by disconnecting the fuel line and throttle cable. Then three bolts and the carb is off the manifold.

Then you need a wrench for the over sized fittings. 45 Restoration sells them.

Remove plumbing fittings, seals are underneath. Whatever they are, replace with the PEEK.
 
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 02:36 PM
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I have the tools to remove the intake manifold from
from the carburetor and from the cylinder.
But the what to appears to be steel seals on the intake how are those replaced?
Thanks,
s
 
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 06:59 PM
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From: la la land jerzey
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They are just stuck worm being over tightened —brass hammer tap the nut but dont beat on it they will slide off with some juice like wd 40
 
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 08:18 PM
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Just did it thanks! They had been cad plated so the seal got covered which I just found out they are brass!
I really can’t tell if the nipples in the cylinders are bad or leaking, do you think I should replace them along with the new seals??? If so what is the best way to remove with out damaging the cylinders?
scott
 
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Old Jul 21, 2022 | 10:57 PM
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Excuse my ignorance of flatheads, but how does an open exhaust valve affect pressurizing the intake manifold? Thanks
 
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Old Jul 22, 2022 | 06:35 AM
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Replace the seals with the PEEK, reinstall the manifold and then do the bubble test to see if you have a leak at any intake location. You may need to tighten the nuts more to get the bubbles to stop. You will also need to tighten them again after a couple of heat cycles. Normal with PEEK.

Nipple leaks are a maybe, they shouldn't be leaking but it happens. You do NOT want to change the nipples unless they are leaking. Otherwise leave them alone and thank the Milwaukee gods that they are fine.

PS you are over thinking the valves open and closed during the test, just put the rig on it with a decent regulator and get them up to 14.5 PSI. Then liberally spray soapy water all over it and look for bubbles.
 
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