New to Forum(Can't get it started)

[NJ Gregg]

Hi, First time on your boards. Maybe someone can give some guidence. Bought a 31 coupe 2 months ago. Was able to start and drive car initially with no problem. Car sat for two months. Had to replace battery. Now I can get the car started and running as long as I hold the choke out. No matter how long I let it warm up like this as soon as I let go of the choke the engine dies. Where do I look first to troubleshoot this problem? Thanks NJ Gregg

[jwko]

Welcome to the forum.

I would suspect its a fuel problem.

I really don't know much about these old cars but I would love to have one.

[rustngreese]

Hi. The first thing you should look at is to see if you have spark. Easy to do, just remove one of the spark plugs and keep the cable connected while grounding the electrode to the head. Crank the engine and see if you have a spark at the electrode. If you have spark then fuel will most likely be the problem. Sometimes dirty gas or rust from inside of a dirty fuel tank will clog the carburetor inlet. If there is no spark it could be that the points moved and closed together inside the distributor or your condenser (also inside the distributor) has gone bad. These are some places to start at least. If you suspect fuel problems, first unscrew the supply line coming from the fuel tank at the carburetor and make sure you have fuel running to the carb. If the fuel flows freely then you will need to check inside the carburetor and you should find the obstruction.
Good Luck with it!

[thefonz]

Originally Posted by rustngreese

Hi. The first thing you should look at is to see if you have spark. Easy to do, just remove one of the spark plugs and keep the cable connected while grounding the electrode to the head. Crank the engine and see if you have a spark at the electrode. If you have spark then fuel will most likely be the problem. Sometimes dirty gas or rust from inside of a dirty fuel tank will clog the carburetor inlet. If there is no spark it could be that the points moved and closed together inside the distributor or your condenser (also inside the distributor) has gone bad. These are some places to start at least. If you suspect fuel problems, first unscrew the supply line coming from the fuel tank at the carburetor and make sure you have fuel running to the carb. If the fuel flows freely then you will need to check inside the carburetor and you should find the obstruction.
Good Luck with it!

Although good advice for some basic trouble shooting, if it runs as long as he holds the choke, he is obviously getting spark.