Perez64 Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 I have a 1924 Dodge Brothers coupe that is not starting, engine cranks but does not start and I'm trying to get some information how to get the vehicle to start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minibago Posted February 22, 2023 Share Posted February 22, 2023 Step one Do you have compression? Step 2 Do you have spark? Step 3 Do you have fuel getting to the cylinders? Do you have a carburettor float bowl full of fuel? Remove the plugs and squirt a small amount of fuel down each plug hole, if you have spark and compression then it should fire. If it has been standing for some time you may have stuck valves The condenser may be faulty. The vacuum tank may not be sucking fuel up. It could be just about anything so start at the beginning and work through methodically. More information on your car history would be helpful e.g.stored in a shed for the last 30 years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregush Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 Check and clean your points as needed. Any grease/oil, dirt or corrosion on the contacts will not allow them to close the circuit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB26 Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 My 26 wouldn’t start when my rotor wore out. But yeah, do the basic checks. Spark, compression, fuel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perez64 Posted February 23, 2023 Author Share Posted February 23, 2023 17 hours ago, Minibago said: Step one Do you have compression? Step 2 Do you have spark? Step 3 Do you have fuel getting to the cylinders? Do you have a carburettor float bowl full of fuel? Remove the plugs and squirt a small amount of fuel down each plug hole, if you have spark and compression then it should fire. If it has been standing for some time you may have stuck valves The condenser may be faulty. The vacuum tank may not be sucking fuel up. It could be just about anything so start at the beginning and work through methodically. More information on your car history would be helpful e.g.stored in a shed for the last 30 years. yes it was stored in a storage unit for some odd years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perez64 Posted February 23, 2023 Author Share Posted February 23, 2023 17 hours ago, Minibago said: Step one Do you have compression? Step 2 Do you have spark? Step 3 Do you have fuel getting to the cylinders? Do you have a carburettor float bowl full of fuel? Remove the plugs and squirt a small amount of fuel down each plug hole, if you have spark and compression then it should fire. If it has been standing for some time you may have stuck valves The condenser may be faulty. The vacuum tank may not be sucking fuel up. It could be just about anything so start at the beginning and work through methodically. More information on your car history would be helpful e.g.stored in a shed for the last 30 years. how does the fuel system work cause it does have old fuel in it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 It sounds like you are unfamiliar with early DBs. Stop where you are and get manuals. The fuel system manual is available from the DB club store as a copy. The owner's manual, the Book of Information, is available from AACA library as a copy. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregush Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 A 1924 would have used a vacuum fuel pump unless it has been fitted with an electric pump. Most all Stewarts operated the same, so might do a search of Stewart vacuum pump and start there. 1914 to about 1927, the carburetors were about the same. Read some of the post here that have been talking about them in the last month or so. More than likely (maybe that would be 100% likely), the fuel system will need to be cleaned with any old gas removed. 1924 would be 12 volt, positive ground. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted February 24, 2023 Share Posted February 24, 2023 If it was stored for years with gas in it, the fuel system is certainly suspect but you could have a combination of problems. Cleaning the points would be the first thing I'd do on the ignition side. Is it using the original coil or an aftermarket (externally mounted) one? If you can get the carb apart and cleaned up, you can then test the engine using a gravity feed small fuel tank to the carb. This bypass of the vacuum tank, etc. will at least let you know if it will run with fresh gas. Then you can tackle the fuel system. Also, if the starter doesn't work, it is quite easy to 'hot wire' the ignition system direct to a 12V battery and then use the crank to fire it up. That's what I did with mine when I first got it running. Ask if you want more details on how to do this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minibago Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 On 2/24/2023 at 12:48 AM, Perez64 said: how does the fuel system work cause it does have old fuel in it Rather than focus on what it could be did you methodically satisfy yourself that you have compression, fuel in the carburettor bowl and spark to your plug? Any loss of compression will firstly require a check to see that all valves are moving not gummed up in the guides. No fuel in the bowl? Pour a small amount down each plug hole. No spark? Then that is where you need to look. Yes, if you have a vehicle that has been stored for some years the correct way to go about things is to change at least the engine oil, drain the fuel tank and lines and replenish with fresh fuel. Check that the points have not bonded together. Easy really. Find the problem and fix only that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 Well written, Jack! It is an odd shift pattern. Since I drive a 5 speed as my daily driver, I have to use extra effort to not shift into reverse when going for 2nd. I finally made up a laminated card with the pattern and stuck it to the dash board with magnets…. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattml430 Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 7 hours ago, MikeC5 said: Well written, Jack! It is an odd shift pattern. Since I drive a 5 speed as my daily driver, I have to use extra effort to not shift into reverse when going for 2nd. I finally made up a laminated card with the pattern and stuck it to the dash board with magnets…. I did similar Mike when I had the 27 , it was the opposite to the 29 Victory. I always forgot which one was which when I was in them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Gregush Posted June 3, 2023 Share Posted June 3, 2023 lol I just have to remember which car/truck I am driving. My 48 Ford F2 with 3 speed on the floor, low and reverse are switched. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted June 15, 2023 Share Posted June 15, 2023 I don't think anyone could miss the noise of winding it out in 2nd gear, Jack. You might like this diagram from the MIM since it shows the actual gear engagements with shift pattern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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