Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Poor starting Ford 1600 Crossflow

I've had my 1972 4/4 for a couple of months and, once it's going it is great fun. Probably the most uncomfortable ride I've ever had on 4 wheels but that's not an issue. What is an issue is starting.

Whenever I go to start the engine for the first time in a day, whether its been left overnight or for a week, there is a click and a grunt then nothing. After about 8 repetitions the engine fires and all is well. The red light on the speedometer lights when the key is turned and goes out when the engine starts.

Once the engine has been started once in the day it starts well the rest of the time.

It's not a battery problem - I've have the old battery ( dating from 2014) on a full charge overnight and stil the same probem and it's no different with a new one. The positive cable from the battery to the ignition relay and from there to the starter are well connected and appear sound.

The starter was replaced with a reconditioned one by the previous owner last year but seems to be original spec - it's a black cylinder with a single connector on the from end. There isn't a separate solenoid that I can see.

Grateful for any ideas, please.

Mark

Similar happening to my dads..

Try a new earth cable or give it a good going over, as Morgans have bad earth connections..

I guess you have an old mechanical fuel pump (like mine) and this takes some turns of the engine (that drives the pump) to prime the carb etc. Seems normal.

To check a quick spray of carb cleaner or "start you b@st@rd" (really) in to the carb and it should start first turn(ish).

It doesn't sound electrical so I'd suspect the carburettor. Check the float level and the needle valve. Overhaul kits are cheap enough.

Me too. My T140V Bonnie had a loose jet once and did exactly that though of course there was not electric start.

If it was fuel related wouldn't the starter motor turn the engine without it firing, which it doesn't? It clicks and grunts once then nothing.

Mark

Sounds electrical to me. Try it with the headlights on. See if they dim or stay bright. But I would go with a dodgy earth as a starting point. If the starter is inertia there will be a solenoid somewhere so double check all the connections.

The earth can be critical. I had a Metro once where the earth was bolted into the bellhousing, and the position of the terminal and bolt tightness had to be just so, or it clicked. It could be that repeated attempts to start heats up the connection and eventually makes it.

My guess is bad earth or the internal solenoid is faulty.

Thanks to all.

I'll start with the connections, then cables and if that doesn't work I'll have somebody else look at the starter motor.

Mark

i had the same problem on my 1969 4/4. The ballast resistor, a ceramic block mounted on the o/s inner wing would fail every 3/4 months causing the same symptoms . Standard Ford Transit issue. I eventually bypassed it and fitted a 12volt coil, all ok thereafter. Also fit a new earth strap between the exhaust manifold to head bolt to chassis, hopefully all should then be ok.