Starting a 55 Plylmouth

[JimCno]

My guess for the proper procedure is... if it is cold, you would press the accelerator down to the floor then let it up again. Then turn the key. I think that is pretty standard for a car with an automatic choke and a carburetor.

[plym_46]

Do a basic trouble shooting inspection of the systems needed for starting.

Spark, gas to carbs, squirt of gas when the acc is pressed.

Good thick wires with positive ground. 

Check the oil, check the radiator.

Pull a couple of plugs and crank the engine with the coil wire disconnected to see if you have compression.

If everything checks out, reconnect the coil wire assuring it is firmly seated in the dist cap, and trickle a bit of gas into teh carb,

press the gas pedal and see if the choke closes.  If so with the gas pedal about 1/4 to 1/2 way down crank it.

hopefully it will fire up.  If so and it will idle, then check for visible gas leaks, coolant leaks, or other problems.

My experience with a few is that there may be a couple valves stuck in the open position.  Firing in 4 cylinders may not lend itself to self starting, giving it a tow and a bump start might get it going in that case.  In many cases getting it runing and getting some heat in it will free the valves.  If not then you may need to pull the head and play wack a mole with a rubber mallet to loosen them up.

Good luck.

[Jim Benjaminson]

At first glance I'd say "turn the key" but I'm assuming there is more to the story than that.  How long has the car been sitting?  If its been any length of time the procedure to get it started can be lengthy.....post some more information about how long its been, etc., and you will get a lot of good advice.

[wiltoole]

Friends, If anyone can tell me the proper procudure for starting a 1955 Plymouth Beleveder, I will be most grateful!? Thanks, Wil