We had a bit of a heat wave here in Michigan today. I think got to about 20 so I go out in the garage to try to fire up the shoebox. It hadn't been started since mid November so I didn't know what to expect. Would it even turn over let alone start up? I had no clue. So I turn the key on to run the electric pump a few seconds, pull out the choke pump the gas pedal and almost immediately it fires up. Didn't cough or hesitate once. Just sat there a purred like a kitten. God I love flatheads!
I put my flatties away for the winter but The Y Block F350 is a year 'round driver. Even started right up at -22F, of course the 12V on the 6V starter helped a bit. Had to do it, the radiator was slushy and needed to add some more straight AF. Just think, it is only 10 more weeks to the first swap meet out here!
Tommy, That's a real good point about electric fuel pumps. They are much better than mechanical pumps in priming and in handling vapor. I would have cranked several seconds just to fill the carb with a mechanical pump.
My battery always runs down priming the carbs. When I finally get some petrol I get the click,click,click....dead battery Give me an electric fuel pump and an electronic ignition!
did you take it for a ride, i fired up my comet and took her for a nice cruise, burr no heat in my car!!LOL nate
[ QUOTE ] This reminds me...what's the proper way to set up an electric fuel pump AND a mechanical one? [/ QUOTE ] You can run the fuel line from the electric pump through the mechanical pump. One word of caution though, if the mech. pump diaphram develops a leak, the electric pump will pump gas into the crankcase without you knowing it. Some of the guys that only want the original look of the stock pump replace the diaphram with a thin steel block off plate. If the electric pump you are using allows fuel to flow through it when it's off, you can wire it with a toggle to use it to prime the carbs only. If it doesn't you will need a bypass with a check valve so the mech. pump can pull fuel around the elec. pump.
tommy, That's good info although I really don't see the need for two pumps although a lot of guys want them. If I'm gonna take the time to install an electric them I'm gonna use it all the time.
me too! Some of the flathead restorer types want the stock pump on the motor but the convenience of the electric.
Ya done good, Fuel Pump...I, on the other hand, had a little issue with my old pontiac this weekend. Oh, the fuel pump pumps ok, it's a new double diaphram unit with the vacuum pump on top but the tank is fulla old gas. The old shit doesn't wanna light off too well in sub zero temps. I had to move the car to get Tuck's engine outta my garage and it took mucho grinding on the starter, tipping the lawn mower gas can into the carb and a lotta spirited cussing to get it started. When it finally lit off, it ran on 4 cylinders for about 5 minutes, then 5 for another 5 mintues and finally cleared itself out to run on 6 cylinders. How entertaining at midnight for my neighbors... Maybe it'd help if my accelerator pump worked in the carby.
My buddy Don has a 9N Ford, and he uses it to plow his driveway, cause when it's cold that's the only thing that'll start easily without killing batteries. Seriously, like a crank and a half and it's running! Jay
Yep, dont need no 'lectrics. An old guy around here has a home brew snow plow made up from a shortened F5 oil truck frame, duallies and all. The 8BA has been converted to 12V but the starter is still 6. Fires right off in any weather. Lots of 8N and other tractors around here used for cleaning driveways also.
[ QUOTE ] My buddy Don has a 9N Ford, and he uses it to plow his driveway, cause when it's cold that's the only thing that'll start easily without killing batteries. Seriously, like a crank and a half and it's running! [/ QUOTE ] We have an 8N ford that we use to turn a generator in the event of a power outtage, it always fires right up