Hot Rods 1950 Merc M47

Everyone has helped creating on my F1 flathead question from the 50 ford and for the oil and filter stuff for the 59 Olds. Now I pulled my 50 M47 out and it started after a couple minutes with ether then run great. We shut it off for half an hour and it won’t start now. It has been very hard to start for the last couple years. Anyone have any ideas? It is the Merc flathead 8 After pulling it out and taking a look I now found the road breather tube that I was confused on with the ford. Question. Points? Cleaning? Would that be why so hard to start? If so.. advice on does and don’ts to so it? And how? It’s origins with 6 volt btw. Thanks all

 

Check and clean the points. They can get corroded from sitting. The condenser can corrode inside the can also and stop working.

 

Thanks for the tip. Never thought of the condenser either... I haven’t done that before and seems to be far and few on YouTube. Think I’ll tackle it next weekend...

 

Do a compression test. If you've got some low cylinders test them again after adding a couple squirts of oil thru the spark plug hole. If you don't see much or any improvement you may have some sticky valves that aren't closing completely.

You might also try running a cranking vacuum test.

 

Good thought. These old girls never had much compression to begin with. Flatheads eh: Runs perfect once it starts and no issues with idle etc wonder if a fuel pump of some sort may help. It’s original with just the glass bubble