Cold Feet

[james49ply]

for some reason these engines can be tempermental at tomes, try cranking and moving distributer as you crank, make sure that you are getting fuel, and recheck the point gap. had mine fail to start one time, reset the points and fired right off.

[greg g]

is the center carbon piece in the dist cap incontact withthe rotor??? Did you put the rotor in???

[aero3113]

What's your battery voltage?

[Jim Yergin]

All very good suggestions. Thanks. I am getting spark at the plug so I don't think it is an issue with the distributor being shorted out or the rotor not making contact. The voltage on the battery I think was 6.45 volts.

I will try re-gapping the points and moving the distributor while cranking.

Jim Yergin

[Jim Yergin]

Bet you didn't know that the plug over the #6 cylinder once removed will fit nicely through an open spark plug hole. You also probably didn't know that it can then travel to a place where it can only be retrieved by removing the head.

Oh well, live and learn.

Jim Yergin

[T120]

...It's all good information,Jim.Thanks for posting - may prevent a similar occurrence for someone.I've had a few parts disappear on me in the past that have been a cause for concern...

Edited September 15, 2010 by Ralph D25cpe

[Jerry Roberts]

Bet you didn't know that the plug over the #6 cylinder once removed will fit nicely through an open spark plug hole. You also probably didn't know that it can then travel to a place where it can only be retrieved by removing the head.

Oh well, live and learn.

Jim Yergin

I would look for a very small magnet on a very thin flexible shaft . If you can't find one , make one .

[Niel Hoback]

Move the piston up to 1/2" from TDC and try a shop vac on the plug hole. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[Jim Yergin]

I would look for a very small magnet on a very thin flexible shaft . If you can't find one , make one .

Jerry,

Tried that without success. Thanks for the suggestion.

Move the piston up to 1/2" from TDC and try a shop vac on the plug hole. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Niel,

I would have liked to give that clever idea a try but, after failing with the magnet pickup, I already took the desperate measure of removing the head.

Thanks.

Jim Yergin

[Jim Yergin]

After a detour to remove and re-install the head so that I could retrieve the plug that goes over the #6 cylinder, last night I once again was in a position to try and start the rebuilt (second rebuild) engine. I am glad to report that it started. I want to thank james49ply for his suggestion. By turning the distributor while cranking it over I was able to get it started. It was late last night so I didn't have time to properly time it but will get to that. I had almost forgotten the great feeling of satisfaction one experiences when the engine you took a part and re-assembled actually runs.

Jim Yergin

[P-12 Tommy]

Isn't it wonderful?

Tom

[Don Coatney]

Good job Jim

[greg g]

Keep going Jim. We gotta get you out and about with the confidence that owning a P15 should give you.

[Jim Yergin]

Thanks Greg, but I own a P12. Maybe that is the problem.

Jim Yergin

[greg g]

Permission to rephrase???