Starting procedures...M38 vs M38 A1 :)

[JEB]

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.

 

[NDT]

I don’t use the hand throttle, I typically blip the gas pedal with my left foot while pressing the starter with my right foot. It’s important to keep the engine as unloaded as possible until oil pressure comes up.

 

[DeetFreek]

Never used the hand throttle. On a cold start I'll pull the choke until it burps to life and jam the choke open and be giving it a little gas at the same time. Never needed the choke once it's warmed up.

 

[JEB]

Never used the hand throttle. On a cold start I'll pull the choke until it burps to life and jam the choke open and be giving it a little gas at the same time. Never needed the choke once it's warmed up.

When you say "pull the choke", do you mean push it in or pull it out?
I have always been told to have it full out at the beginning of the sequence, but now that you mention it, slowly pulling it out makes sense as well.

 

[msgjd]

always needed to do mine w/choke full-out until it wants to catch, then try it again with choke in and barely crack the hand throttle ... I always had to do same with the gasser 5-tons , regardless of the season or air temp ,, unless engine is already warm

 

[JEB]

always needed to do mine w/choke full-out until it wants to catch, then try it again with choke in and barely crack the hand throttle ... I always had to do same with the gasser 5-tons , regardless of the season or air temp ,, unless engine is already warm

Thanks.
I'm still at the stage of trying to figure out if it is:
-normal (they ALL do that)
-cold blooded
-Or if something is wrong. Mine apparently had a weak coil, so every time I tried to start it, it flooded.

 

[DeetFreek]

When you say "pull the choke", do you mean push it in or pull it out?
I have always been told to have it full out at the beginning of the sequence, but now that you mention it, slowly pulling it out makes sense as well.

I'll pull it out on the initial crank until it catches and then push it back in. It's designed to need the choke for the vacuum to pull the fuel .

 

[JEB]

DeetFreek
Thanks, that makes sense.

One additional thing I've noticed...

This is my first vehicle with a starter pedal.
More than once, I've removed my foot a second too soon...just as it starts to catch...which preempts what would otherwise be a successful start sequence.

I guess I'm afraid of running the starter too long.


Coming of automotive age decades after these were designed, I wonder if drivers from earlier times... used to manual chokes, starter pedals and the vagaries of old style carburetors, would of had an easier time living with these?

 

[JEB]

Started great yesterday.
Today it's cooler with light rain, the thing wouldn't start.
With choke and a bit of throttle it ran for 5 seconds, but wouldn't restart without starter fluid.

Once started, it runs fine.

Recently rebuilt distributor.
I'm losing hope.

 

[glcaines]

The next time it won't start, check the spark. I know the coil was replaced, but most of the Chinese coils are junk. Also, have you checked the output from the fuel pump?

 

[JEB]

The new coil is a used American unit, but checked.
The fuel supply was checked during the diagnosis before we rebuilt the distributor and coil.
Since it seems to flood (judging by the smell), I think it's getting fuel.

The plugs are old but seem to be okay. The lack of 24v plugs is a bit disappointing.