46 ford driving me crazy.

trainguy

Well-known member
Been fighting a problem with my 46.Here is the problem.
Difficult to start in the morning.affter starting it barely runs but then after 30 seconds or so starts to run ok.After the inital problems it starts and runs great.I first thought it was fuel related but after changing the carb twice.and installing rebuilt fuel pump
.I don,t feel that is fuel related.I have replaced the dist with a recalibrated one,new coil and condenser. I have exausted my ideas as to what the problem and now asking the "BARN" for any suggestions. Thanks Phil
 
Possibly the plug wires are damp in the morning and the voltage is leaking through and grounding out until the engine gets warm and dries things out. If you do not think this is it, i would check the compression on all cylinders when the engine is cold. It could be low on compression on some cylinders until you run and get the pisstons and rings expanded and get the cylinders and valves oiled up. Marv
 
Are you using the choke?

Try with and without choke no difference ,pulled plugs not wet.When I start it appears to clear out like flooded,but I dont believe it is.Had 3 carbs on it ,no difference.Like I stated once running it starts easy and runs great.Realy has me baffeled.I am a decent mechanic and this not my fisrt rodeo with Flat Heads.Phil
 
Possibly the plug wires are damp in the morning and the voltage is leaking through and grounding out until the engine gets warm and dries things out. If you do not think this is it, i would check the compression on all cylinders when the engine is cold. It could be low on compression on some cylinders until you run and get the pisstons and rings expanded and get the cylinders and valves oiled up. Marv

Marv, thought the same I took the looms apart inspected the wires and the dist cap assy and reinstalled with onother dist. NO CHANGE
 
Check the ignition switch. The 46 should have a lever on the column . I've had problems with my 40 before and it turned out the switch was burned and the contacts were in poor condition causing a high resistance to the coil.
 
Check the ignition switch. The 46 should have a lever on the column . I've had problems with my 40 before and it turned out the switch was burned and the contacts were in poor condition causing a high resistance to the coil.

Ken good thought,Will jumper it out for tommorow's session.All ready started it today,will be ok for 12 to 18 hours before the problem appears again. Phil
 
Have you checked gas line for possibility of partial blockage. Also check condition of flex hose between gas line and fuel pump. Could be a tiny hole allowing FP to suck some air.
 
I've been through the same hair pulling for the last three months with my '40.
Changed the distributor to a rebuilt one from a reputable guy and it turns out he didn't re-bush it so my problem got worse.
Then I knew it wasn't the dist because it was rebuilt.
I think I have it sorted out now but I ain't happy.
Try looking under the hood in the dark (engine running) and see if you have sparks jumping around.
The Model T guys say that most carburetor problems are electrical.
 
I've been through the same hair pulling for the last three months with my '40.
Changed the distributor to a rebuilt one from a reputable guy and it turns out he didn't re-bush it so my problem got worse.
Then I knew it wasn't the dist because it was rebuilt.
I think I have it sorted out now but I ain't happy.
Try looking under the hood in the dark (engine running) and see if you have sparks jumping around.
The Model T guys say that most carburetor problems are electrical.

Yea the Fuel?ignition delema will drive a man to drink!!!So what did your problem turn out to be?
 
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