How do you start your B ?

jCarroll

Well-known Member
Location
mid-Ohio
I have a new to me B which is sometimes hard to start. Sometimes the second or third pull (its hand crank) gets her going,
sometimes 10 pulls gets nothing. My settings are third notch on the throttle, full choke for two pulls, then half choke.
I'v got gas through the carb, new plugs, mag was hot when I timed it. Have not used starter fluid.
My experience is that all tractors have sweet spots for quick starting - don't think I've found this ones.

What works best for you? What should I try next?
 
Big thing is the impulse working as it should every single time. Many work on and off and if so start good one time then not the next time
 
As Old said listen for tbe impulse coupling to click. Giving some some spark is not the same as having a good hot spark and causes many problems for people. I recently rebuilt our B magneto when it began to act like yours and it is now back to starting on the 2-3 pull every time. Are you shutting the fuel off when not in use? We always do. A small leak at the needle can easily flood the engine.
 
I always turn the gas off and let it run out of gas so it takes a couple more pulls on the crank to start it. I turn the gas on, set the throttle at about 1/3, full choke and start to crank. After about five pulls, it fires up and then I open the choke.
 
On my high compression pulling tractor, when I know the next time I start it will be a cold start-up, I full choke it and shut off the key while idling. Then, the next time I start it I don't have to crank on it hardly any and it fires right off saving the battery and starter.
 
Well, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, even tho you've never seen how well it works. You would be wrong. My pistons have power crater bowls, so gas wash is minimal.

This post was edited by DrAllis on 07/04/2022 at 02:33 pm.
 
I usually do half throttle and full choke until it fires or pops and then half choke. Mine also likes a 1/4 CCW turn on the main needle on the carb for a cold start. It also take a bit more cranking when the carb is dry. I second making sure the mag has a good impulse.
 

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