1925 Franklin ?

Steve Wastler

Steve Wastler

Well-known member
Any of you guys familiar with mid twenties Franklins? I went to get one running today that hasn't run for 7-8 years, it had quite running and was towed home those years ago. The owners grandfather bought it new, then was his moms, then his. He thought it may be fuel related, I figured it was electrical.

Popped off the distributor cap and looked at the contacts, rotor and points, all were very corroded. Cleaned contacts inside and on top, and rotor button in cap as well as the rotor and points. Cleaned another dozen electrical connections.

I was going to pull the carb and clean it, but thought we would see if it would at least run on ether, which it did after a few revolutions.

Sediment bowl filled with ok looking gas, since it was last run 7+ years ago I figured it was before the ethanol blend crap gas, so I turned the gas valve on, and it ran. We put in a few gallons of premium gas to help with the old stuff in the tank. After a few minutes, raw gas was dripping from the exhaust manifold flange on # 6 cylinder and this cylinder was not firing.

I am thinking the issue lies in the carb with a blocked passage or jet, and with # 6 being the lowest on the intake manifold, it was getting the raw fuel that was flowing 'down hill'. The liquid fuel wasn't allowing this cylinder to fire.

I had removed the screws to the bowl cap on the carb, and the bowl had been dry from evaporation, couldn't get the cover off without removing the primer assembly, so I put the cover back on.

While not running the carb doesn't flood, with gas on, so I'm assuming it's not a float or needle/seat issue.

It starts quick and runs on the new/old gas mix, but have the issue of raw fuel from ex manifold and no fire at number 6. Sparks good with #6 plug out on intake.

I am thinking I need to pull the carb and give it a good cleaning, anyone concur? Thoughts?
Thanks in advance....
 
Actually, I didn't do a compression check with gauge or thumb, but you could certainly hear it pushing, pulling air with plug out. I will add, the other cylinders' plugs were wet with un-burnt fuel, but were firing. Will take gauge on next trip...
 
Here's a pic....
 

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Thats a heck of a car ! I like Franklins, they were built close to here.

What carburetor does this monster have ? In the early years they made their own.
 
Bumped into a 1929 Franklin a few years back - wonderful car and still have pics of the motor. That one had an updraft carb mounted a good 6 to 8" below the manifold -not sure if your year is the same. I can not see how any carb issue could put gas into the intake manifold to dribble out. It would actually run out of the air cleaner first.

#6 would need to be checked for compression and spark as mentioned above.
 
Never run old gas that years old. Even mixing fresh with it is not good. What happens is the engine will run but as the old gas gets all over inside the old gas will gum up the valve stems and make the valves stick open. If it's a flathead you will loose the compression in that cylinder. If it's an overhead valve engine you may bend/break valves and pistons.
Hopefully the Damage is not already done to a priceless engine.
 
Pretty sure nothing 'physically' broke in the short time it was run. As soon as the drips started we shut it down. Gonna do a compression check on number six, verify valves there are working and will drain the tank and add fresh fuel if we deem it run-able. Will have to see....
 
If that is a pot metal carburettor, handle it with care, as it is very fragile. I broke one on a 28 Franklin with very little effort. Replaced it with a cast iron one.
 

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Fullraceflathead said:
Never run old gas that years old. Even mixing fresh with it is not good. What happens is the engine will run but as the old gas gets all over inside the old gas will gum up the valve stems and make the valves stick open. If it's a flathead you will loose the compression in that cylinder. If it's an overhead valve engine you may bend/break valves and pistons.
Hopefully the Damage is not already done to a priceless engine.
Click to expand...

heard that
old gas is like molasses to the valve train. i saw that happen on a 64 belvedere with a brand new engine. the valves stuck so bad the heads had to come off..

nice franklin steve very sharp
 
I know nothing about a Franklin but the post from 2manycars (if it's the same engine) I would think you'd need some decent compression or vacuum to get vaporized (or what ever you call it) gas to the last (6) cyclinder. Just a bad guess.

Nice car!
 
If you have raw gas dipping from #6 I hi I the manifold need to be fixed as well. Could that be where there is low compression?

Mike
 
Carb is all brass, not pot metal, couldn't read the manufacturers name on the bowl cover. The Franklin is fairly complex in its fuel system. I am finding little information pertaining to the total workings.

I can see old gas causing issues in a newly rebuilt engine with tight tolerances, but not so much on this engine for the 2-3 minutes total run time yesterday.
There is too much unburnt fuel passing THRU the rear cylinder for it not to have descent compression.

The gas albeit old, can't be too damn bad as it starts on the 2nd or third revolution no ether or choke needed.

It has a centrifugal air cleaner, which is basically a fan, no filter element, which has to be helping push fuel up to that interesting intake. Either the primer assembly is stuck open, or there is some issue in the carb. Reason for asking if anyone had Experience with THIS make auto.

Maififold vacuum pulls the fuel into the vacuum canister, so vacuum would seem sufficient.

Will have to post my questions on aaca forum to see if I get a response from a franklin guy or guys.

Wayne, at this time the current owner is keen on keeping it, if that changes I'll certainly let you know.
 
SeaSlugs said:
Wow beautiful cars!, are all those holes in the firewall of that blue one used for stuff???
Click to expand...

Yes, the holes were for wiring and other stuff. that was an extensive and expensive restoration that I did about 15 years ago. It won a trophy at the Greenwich Concours, and it still looks good, as the owner keeps it in a climate controled garage.
 
Tinker said:
I know nothing about a Franklin but the post from 2manycars (if it's the same engine) I would think you'd need some decent compression or vacuum to get vaporized (or what ever you call it) gas to the last (6) cyclinder. Just a bad guess.

Nice car!
Click to expand...

That is a huge engine, and produces impressive power.
 
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