JEB
Active member
- 141
- 161
- 43
- Location
- Colbert, WA
Since its restoration two years ago (time flies!) my M38A1 has been a bear to start. The mechanics were gone over during its restoration, the engine was fresh but most everything was looked at and repaired or refurbished as necessary.
Finally, in June it got so bad that attempting to start it would lead to a flooded engine. I'd wait a half hour and it would start right up.
The restorer sent a friend to my garage to check it out, his diagnosis: weak spark caused by old coil or questionable distributor.
He came back to install it. The Army manual he was using was for the M38, now he and I, and I'm sure all of you, know it has a different engine than the A1, but I didn't say anything.
When it came time to fire it up, he said the manual calls for not only full choke on cold start-up, but also 3/4" of hand throttle.
Dutifully set, the engine caught on its first try and ran smoothly.
After he left, I broke out my new A1 manual. As you might expect, the two publications are very similar, especially when discussing general operations, and other non mechanical issues.
It of course mentioned the choke when starting a cold engine, but did not mention opening the hand throttle.
Odd.
Do any of you use the hand throttle when starting?
BTW..the Jeep starts first time now.
And yes, I crack the hand throttle.
Finally, in June it got so bad that attempting to start it would lead to a flooded engine. I'd wait a half hour and it would start right up.
The restorer sent a friend to my garage to check it out, his diagnosis: weak spark caused by old coil or questionable distributor.
He came back to install it. The Army manual he was using was for the M38, now he and I, and I'm sure all of you, know it has a different engine than the A1, but I didn't say anything.
When it came time to fire it up, he said the manual calls for not only full choke on cold start-up, but also 3/4" of hand throttle.
Dutifully set, the engine caught on its first try and ran smoothly.
After he left, I broke out my new A1 manual. As you might expect, the two publications are very similar, especially when discussing general operations, and other non mechanical issues.
It of course mentioned the choke when starting a cold engine, but did not mention opening the hand throttle.
Odd.
Do any of you use the hand throttle when starting?
BTW..the Jeep starts first time now.
And yes, I crack the hand throttle.
