1948 Fergie: trying for the first start

[wascator]

HI, I got the 12 Volts all hooked up, gas tank on, the glass bowl is still leaking a little. I know I have ignition, but so far, all I can get is smoke out of the exhaust pipe and once, an impressive if short-lived flame from the carb air inlet (!). Perhaps I need to set the carb a little different? I have the small mixture screw 1 1/2 turns open; what about the big screw which angles up to the right? where should I set it?
I did not have the engine apart: I did replace the oil pan and removed the front cover to get out some broken bolts and change the front seal.
 

[Jerry/MT]

The main jet shoul be out 1-1/4 turns. the idle air mix should be out 3/4 to 1 turn.

Check the timing(6°BTDC) and make sure the advance Isn"t stuck.
 

[El Toro]

If you have good fire to your sparkplugs I would bring No1piston near the radiator to TDC on the compression stroke. Once you have No1 piston at tdc remove the distributor cap and look to see where the rotor is pointing. It should be at the No1 plug tower. Hal
PS: If this looks ok I would try a pull start.
 

[wascator]

I looked today after work; I had just stuck the plug wires on anywhere; I put them on correctly but one was too short wo I'll have to make a new wire. I predict startup when I get time to proceed;this weekend probably.
 

[Keith Molden]

If those plug wires were on there before and now 1 is too short, try changing it with one of the longer ones. It should fit one of the plugs near the distributor. They don't shrink from sitting LOL Just my thoughts, Keith
 

[wascator]

You're right, maybe friday afternoon. I had a 550 mile day today; at least the weather was great. There is a huge sugar mill at White Castle, Louisiana, and it was going full-steam (literally)when I drove by.