Can't Start Flathead, Need Help!
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
Can't Start Flathead, Need Help!
I could use some suggestions. I’ve always prided myself in being able to get anything started over the years but I am stuck.
I have a 1947 WL 45. Sitting for over a year. Pretty good shape, original condition. I haven’t been able to get it started. Here’s what I’ve done:
Cleaned out gas tank (not much in there) put in new gas.
Cleaned gas filter, not much crud, a little.
It has a new shut off valve. I took it apart, followed fuel to carb to make sure it has flow. It does.
It has compression.
It has spark at the plugs (took each out and checked for spark) and points. Gap in each is good.
Checked valve/tappet clearance.
Battery is charged & lights (including brake light) work.
Float in carb was stuck. Not any crud in bowl but float did not swivel on float pin/fingers.
Now float works and float valve opens and shuts gas off.
Low speed adjustment is 3 turns out . . . I’ve tried to start it with 4 & 5 turns out.
High speed needle is 2 turns out.
When I kick to prime (tried 3 kicks, 4, 5) with full choke I get gas at the carb (I wipe it down with a rag ‘cause I’ve had small flames at the carb, yikes,). I kick with dist advanced (turned full clockwise . . . tried no advance, half advance, etc) I get a pop, sometimes a good loud pa pop.
That’s it. Never a double or triple pop like she’s gonna catch. It’s been a month now, dang. I have to be missing something!!
I’m getting gas when I prime it. So much that I wipe with a rag to prevent a flame there. My next step is to take the rest of the carb apart and check passages. I kind of anticipated that suggestion. Any other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated . . . thanks.
I have a 1947 WL 45. Sitting for over a year. Pretty good shape, original condition. I haven’t been able to get it started. Here’s what I’ve done:
Cleaned out gas tank (not much in there) put in new gas.
Cleaned gas filter, not much crud, a little.
It has a new shut off valve. I took it apart, followed fuel to carb to make sure it has flow. It does.
It has compression.
It has spark at the plugs (took each out and checked for spark) and points. Gap in each is good.
Checked valve/tappet clearance.
Battery is charged & lights (including brake light) work.
Float in carb was stuck. Not any crud in bowl but float did not swivel on float pin/fingers.
Now float works and float valve opens and shuts gas off.
Low speed adjustment is 3 turns out . . . I’ve tried to start it with 4 & 5 turns out.
High speed needle is 2 turns out.
When I kick to prime (tried 3 kicks, 4, 5) with full choke I get gas at the carb (I wipe it down with a rag ‘cause I’ve had small flames at the carb, yikes,). I kick with dist advanced (turned full clockwise . . . tried no advance, half advance, etc) I get a pop, sometimes a good loud pa pop.
That’s it. Never a double or triple pop like she’s gonna catch. It’s been a month now, dang. I have to be missing something!!
I’m getting gas when I prime it. So much that I wipe with a rag to prevent a flame there. My next step is to take the rest of the carb apart and check passages. I kind of anticipated that suggestion. Any other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated . . . thanks.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: new mexico
I could use some suggestions. I’ve always prided myself in being able to get anything started over the years but I am stuck.
I have a 1947 WL 45. Sitting for over a year. Pretty good shape, original condition. I haven’t been able to get it started. Here’s what I’ve done:
Cleaned out gas tank (not much in there) put in new gas.
Cleaned gas filter, not much crud, a little.
It has a new shut off valve. I took it apart, followed fuel to carb to make sure it has flow. It does.
It has compression.
It has spark at the plugs (took each out and checked for spark) and points. Gap in each is good.
Checked valve/tappet clearance.
Battery is charged & lights (including brake light) work.
Float in carb was stuck. Not any crud in bowl but float did not swivel on float pin/fingers.
Now float works and float valve opens and shuts gas off.
Low speed adjustment is 3 turns out . . . I’ve tried to start it with 4 & 5 turns out.
High speed needle is 2 turns out.
When I kick to prime (tried 3 kicks, 4, 5) with full choke I get gas at the carb (I wipe it down with a rag ‘cause I’ve had small flames at the carb, yikes,). I kick with dist advanced (turned full clockwise . . . tried no advance, half advance, etc) I get a pop, sometimes a good loud pa pop.
That’s it. Never a double or triple pop like she’s gonna catch. It’s been a month now, dang. I have to be missing something!!
I’m getting gas when I prime it. So much that I wipe with a rag to prevent a flame there. My next step is to take the rest of the carb apart and check passages. I kind of anticipated that suggestion. Any other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated . . . thanks.
I have a 1947 WL 45. Sitting for over a year. Pretty good shape, original condition. I haven’t been able to get it started. Here’s what I’ve done:
Cleaned out gas tank (not much in there) put in new gas.
Cleaned gas filter, not much crud, a little.
It has a new shut off valve. I took it apart, followed fuel to carb to make sure it has flow. It does.
It has compression.
It has spark at the plugs (took each out and checked for spark) and points. Gap in each is good.
Checked valve/tappet clearance.
Battery is charged & lights (including brake light) work.
Float in carb was stuck. Not any crud in bowl but float did not swivel on float pin/fingers.
Now float works and float valve opens and shuts gas off.
Low speed adjustment is 3 turns out . . . I’ve tried to start it with 4 & 5 turns out.
High speed needle is 2 turns out.
When I kick to prime (tried 3 kicks, 4, 5) with full choke I get gas at the carb (I wipe it down with a rag ‘cause I’ve had small flames at the carb, yikes,). I kick with dist advanced (turned full clockwise . . . tried no advance, half advance, etc) I get a pop, sometimes a good loud pa pop.
That’s it. Never a double or triple pop like she’s gonna catch. It’s been a month now, dang. I have to be missing something!!
I’m getting gas when I prime it. So much that I wipe with a rag to prevent a flame there. My next step is to take the rest of the carb apart and check passages. I kind of anticipated that suggestion. Any other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated . . . thanks.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
if it has been sitting, carb and points are always the first thing to check..if it has spark,carb is next.it doesn't take much to plug the idle circuit especially with the crap gas they are selling now
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
Good stuff . . . I'll do the carb circuts this weekend. j1mmy, I was trying to take a shortcut and not blow out the passages . . . go figure. Cam cover doesn't look to ever have been off but you never know. If blowin' through the carb circuits doesn't help (along with the starter fluid & new plugs I just bought) I'll have to break down and check the cam gear alignment. It sure doesn't look like anyone's been in there for oh what . . . the last 60 years or so
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 1
From: new mexico
Good stuff . . . I'll do the carb circuts this weekend. j1mmy, I was trying to take a shortcut and not blow out the passages . . . go figure. Cam cover doesn't look to ever have been off but you never know. If blowin' through the carb circuits doesn't help (along with the starter fluid & new plugs I just bought) I'll have to break down and check the cam gear alignment. It sure doesn't look like anyone's been in there for oh what . . . the last 60 years or so
I'll bet its a carb problem of some type.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
blowing out the carb doesnt always clean it.. you have to trace where each port goes.spray carb cleaner through and look for it to come out the other side..a lot of times you have to run a wire through the passages..for the idle circuits unravel a piece of electrical wire. use one of the tiny strands to clear the jet out.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
Is the gas coming out of carb blowing out and have you had flame out of carb. This is why my guess of bad cam timing. If one intake value is out of time, it will blow gas and possible flame out of carb on compression stroke. I am guessing you have Linkert carb. Take apart, soak, and blow out with air. If it has brass float, throw float away and replace with one of new gas resistant type floats.
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Do you stand the bike upright? The reason I ask is because with the carb being on the left side,I have a flathead and a few other bikes and have noticed our maybe just in my head that they seem to start better when they are upright..If you are sure that you have spark,remove the A/C and put some gas in a spray bottle.Open the choke and throttle plate and spray some gas in the carb and see what happens..Sometimes when my old bikes sit for a long time they will sump..This makes it hard to start..Good Luck..
Last edited by Captain Itch; Oct 31, 2011 at 12:11 PM.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 12
From: Hwy 66
Did you put new capacitor? It won't start with bad one, but you still have a spark on plugs.
Also, sometimes velves rust inside guides and are suspended, when you start it backfires into carb, but u said velve clearences were ok,just a suggestion.
Also, sometimes velves rust inside guides and are suspended, when you start it backfires into carb, but u said velve clearences were ok,just a suggestion.