Shovel won’t start

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 14, 2018 | 08:52 PM

Clay West

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 4

Likes: 1

From: indiana

Shovel won’t start

im new here. I recently bought a 78 flh that has been sitting for a couple of years and I’m trying to get it started w no luck.

I have changed plugs plugs and put new gas in. I rebuilt super e carb. I’m getting spark and fuel. I have only been able to get it to start by giving a few squirts of starting fluid. When it does start it idles really high and gets hot. Without starting fluid I get a lot of pressure and backfire through the carb. A couple of times flames. I believe I have the timing right. And I believe I have compression since it has started a few times with starting fluid.

I also believe I have good seal on carb manifold. I don’t think it’s leakkng there but can’t get it runnunjv long enough to be sure.

Any my help would be appreciated.

Apr 14, 2018 | 09:38 PM

johnjzjz

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 12,878

Likes: 5,449

From: la la land jerzey

couple of things - welcome first

did you re do the manifold o rings - if your low speed jet is partly clogged it will do those kinds of things its doing

float level ????? correct

ignition is working as it fires off the starting stuff

but all bets are on the carb area you need to make that real correct

Apr 14, 2018 | 09:43 PM

perki48

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 10,135

Likes: 4,780

From: Sandpoint, Idaho

Depending on the ignition system you are using you might be firing wrong cylinder.

Apr 14, 2018 | 10:37 PM

Clay West

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 4

Likes: 1

From: indiana

I did not redo the rings.
I can do another cleaning on the jets to see that helps.
It has a dyna s ignition. I can double check that also to make sure it’s not off 180

Apr 15, 2018 | 08:43 AM

98hotrodfatboy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 21,092

Likes: 7,614

From: Poolville

Starting fluid does burn Hot.. Not a good thing. Squirt gas instead.. Definitely a fuel issue. Pull the bowl and clean both jets. Take out the idle mixture screw and squirt carb cleaner through that same port and blow out with shop air. S&S has a lot of carb setup directions on their site... Have you tried to start it with the enricher? Also how well does the accelerator pump work? can you see it squirt a good solid stream into the threat of the carb? Replacing the Intake seals would be a good thing as well....

Apr 15, 2018 | 09:22 AM

Clay West

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 4

Likes: 1

From: indiana

I’ll pull the bowl again today. But did use ss rebuild kit so everything is new. Tried w enrichment and without. Accelerator pump was also part of rebuild kit so it’s newand giving plenty of gas in the throat. I’ve set everything back to ss factory settings. I believe float is set right but will double check.