Butterflymom Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 When I initially had acquired my 1920 dodge it started right up even drove it. Now nothing! Help!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 You don't say what the problem is except that it won't start now Have you got compression Have you got spark at the plugs Is Gas getting to the carburettor ? Check all of these the come back with the problem one then we may be able to help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Confirm also that the starter is working and that the battery is not flat or failed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 6, 2018 Author Share Posted January 6, 2018 No spark at plugs Yes to compression and yes to gas to carb. Yes it turns over battery iss good and starter works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Check the Coil make sure the distributor points are set to the correct gap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share Posted January 7, 2018 And the correct gap would be? Thank You so much for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryLime Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 .018 inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 How often do you start it up? Dirty points can do it too if the car is left to sit for months (light corrosion on the contacts). Sometimes a little piece of fine emery paper folded and puled through the (closed) points will get them conducting again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share Posted January 7, 2018 Can anyone tell me also what are the levers that release air on top of the heads for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share Posted January 7, 2018 I really truly appreciate every one of yall's input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share Posted January 7, 2018 And the two levers on the steering column what are they for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 9 hours ago, Butterflymom said: Can anyone tell me also what are the levers that release air on top of the heads for? Those are not for releasing compression but for priming the engine when cold. The Dodge has an up draft carb which is hard to start when cold. You open the priming cups on top the engine and pour a little gas. You then close them and all cycs. are primed with gas. They are quite common on updraft engines of that era. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 9 hours ago, Butterflymom said: And the two levers on the steering column what are they for. One lever is for spark advance or retard the other is for gas. They are both used during start up and later during driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 7, 2018 Author Share Posted January 7, 2018 To Jan Arnett you are amazing THANK YOU so much!! Awsome info!! There is a line running from the intake manifold up to an what looks like a holder for something, could you tell me what was or is supposed to be there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 (edited) A vacuum tank. It's a can shaped device that pulls fuel from the fuel tank using engine vacuum. It then feeds fuel into the carburetor by gravity from the line on the bottom of the can. Your car must have an electric fuel pump hidden somewhere if the vacuum tank is not there. This is a '25 Dodge set up but it isn't much different than '20. Edited January 7, 2018 by MikeC5 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Butterflymom said: To Jan Arnett you are amazing THANK YOU so much!! Awsome info!! There is a line running from the intake manifold up to an what looks like a holder for something, could you tell me what was or is supposed to be there. As Mike says the line is designed to provide vacuum to a vacuum tank. The vacuum tank is an early fuel pump. It used a vacuum to pull fuel from the gas tank. As he said it sounds like someone installed an electric fuel pump. It is a modification that some people make which I do not like as the original vacuum works fine if you understand how they work. What concerns me about your car is if they removed the vacuum tank and just disconnected the vacuum line and left it unplugged at the manifold creating a vacuum leak. I would removed the line at the manifold and put on a cap or put a vacuum tank in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Hey @Butterflymom, how about some photos? We can't get enough photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 Okay, thank you so much! Where can one get stock parts, for this vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 I am thinking its something with the ignition, where can I obtain an manual or schematic, because, I have done everything, and am now getting sparkl# 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan arnett (2) Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Repair-Manual-1926-1925-1924-1923-1922-1921-1920-1919-1918-1917-1916-1915/362052317642?hash=item544bfff1ca:g:pEAAAOxyPLpRdc7A&vxp=mtr Romar should also have this manual. If you get an owners manual 1919 to 1924 they should be about the same with information. I will scan you a schematic. What area of the country are you inJ Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 Romar and Myers Early Dodge are your best bets for parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 9, 2018 Author Share Posted January 9, 2018 In Venice, Ca. Thank You So Much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 The lever that controls the spark is important, it is to be used correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68dodgeramman Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 Can you explain the proper use of the spark advance lever. If I understand correctly, it should be pulled back to start the engine? And then after that I'm lost, as to how it's used, lol. I'm knew to this as you can tell. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 The lever that controls the spark needs to be set to retard the spark at startup. It is advanced somewhat to get around, and advanced more as the car speeds up on the road. It needs to be used to retard the spark some while climbing hills or pulling hard. Used wrong in starting it can bend the starter or your arm depending on how you start the car. It is used to save your bearings or crankshaft pulling on hills or under load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 Copies of original owner's manuals, Books of Information is what DB called them, can be gotten from the AACA library. The DB club stores it's literature there. The correct manual is the one printed JUST before your car was built. The Books of Information have answers to MOST all the questions you are asking. A list of these manuals with publishing dates is listed on the DBclub website. According to the manuals the spark lever is placed in the retarded position to start the engine. Then it is moved to the advance or normal position for all driving. A retarded spark overheats the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 Well guys, I cant thank you all enough for all your help, but this has proven to be more than i can handle this time! So, i as much as it pains me i have decided to sell my baby. I have included some pictures. Make me an offer I cant refuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Sorry to hear you're having such issues. Dodges are good, solid, dependable cars with a little sorting out. It would help any potential buyer to know how much you want for it and where the car is geographically located. The Dodge Brothers "slow" four cars, 12 volt starter generator ones, have never brought big money, and decent driving ones regularly sell in the four figure range. The only exception is VERY early 1914-15 cars, the lower the production number in those years the higher the price. Good luck, hope you find a good home for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 ,I'm am going to research, what I could get for it, I am in Venice, Ca. It did run really nicely I just cannot get it start now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Gee mate you give up easily Surely there are other DB owners in your area that can help you out 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I bet a good local auto repair shop could get your car running for you. It only takes Fuel, spark, & Reasonable compression to run. BTW my high school was Venice High. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Zetnick Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Yeah, don't throw in the towel just yet unless you are totally disinterested.....looks like a very cool car project! I am no mechanic myself, but I have learned a lot from others. Anything I can't do myself I have hired a hot rod shop, an old school mechanic shop and a mechanic that works out of his truck....they have all helped at times immensly and I've learned so much in the process! Anyway, sounds like the problem isn't a big one, but one that may be a little hard to comprehend between you and others online...maybe a local mechanic can help out. If you love the car I'll bet once your dilemmna is figured out and the car starts again it will change your outlook and give you momentum to move forward! Good luck w/ whatever you decide! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I have an old Ferguson tractor and a mid '30s Chevy and it seems that every time I let them set a few months I need to clean the points before they will run. Of course at first they flood due to not firing so I always have to get the points filed and then wait to start because of the flooding. Don't give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cahartley Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 In an earlier post you stated you now have spark........but is it making it to the plugs? Have you tried priming the cylinders to be absolutely certain gas is getting to the cylinders? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycars Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Wow, I cannot believe that you would buy a car like this and no so amazingly little about it! Is this a joke or actually a serious inquiry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 I fell in LOVE with the car when I saw it, Dodge has a VERY SPECIAL place in my heart, my LATE husband was a MASTER VIPER TECH for Dodge! And, had such a love and passion for Dodge and passed that love on to me. I know a whole hell of a lot about vehicles and how to work on them. And, they ONLY WAY I LEARNED ANYTHING was by asking questions and doing research. I want to THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAD WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, and so I have decided to stick it out and complete this project on honor of my husband. She is a beauty and deserves much love and tlc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 BFM That is Bonzer news. I sincerely hope that you can get some assistance in breathing some life into this car I would love to be able to help but I am a little too far away.(Western Australia) Good luck and please keep us posted on progress 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cahartley Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Atta mom....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 Okay, so now back to thetask at hand. She turns makes the turning over sounds, but just doesn't want to catch and start. I noticed there is a ground in the chassis only. Should there be one to the motor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterflymom Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 I have had two mechanics come by and they were left scratching their heads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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