Im a newbie restoring a model t that ran in the 80s but has been sitting in a barn since. Spark is good, all 4 plugs have a bright spark in order when crank is turned. We looked at the carburetor, cleaned it as best we could (we couldn’t clean the idle hole very well though), checked that the float still floated, and checked that gas was flowing through the feed pipe. There is enough compression that the suction feels strong when the crank is turned with a hand over the spark plug hole. Gas is getting to the carburetor, it leaks out the air intake when holding the choke.
But when we try to start it with the starter button, the starter makes a growling noise, and if we’re lucky the engine turns over (we can hear 1 explosion, but usually none at all) but won’t run. I usually let go of the starter button after a few seconds, I’m worried to damage something if I hold it longer. What am I missing??? Keep in mind i’m a newbie so feel free to point out the obvious!
My first thought based on what you describe is that your battery or starter is weak, check and clean all of the battery and starter connections. Do you have the spark fully retarded for starting? Here is a handy article on reviving a T that hasn’t run in a long time: DG93
Check your timing and if it is set correctly use the hand crank giving it a good snap up. Unless you flooded it there is no reason why you can’t start it with the crank and even if it is flooded pulling it through slowly will burn off the excess gas. Starter may be bad or connections dirty or battery weak but If there is enough current to make the coils buzz you can start on the crank. You might want to chock a front wheel and jack up a rear wheel to make cranking easier. When I start a car that has been sitting for a few days I pull out the choke and crank it over 4 times with the hand crank with the switch off. That should charge each cylinder with gas. I then turn on the switch and it always starts on the 3rd or 4th pull.