Can't get spark!

LOLLOLLOL Another update! I Worked on it all afternoon! Got it going twice! It ran nice! For about 20 second and then it stopped and had "Cool" down. It acted as though it had run put of gas. It just quit! It wasn't seized, It still cranked ok but it would start again until about a hour went by. I rechecked the timing- OK, seems OK, I dunno. I had to use 12V to get her to start. A real Buster! BTW I wish you lived next door also.
Terry



H. L. Chauvin said:
Hi Terry,

My heart really goes out to you, because I never had a "Clam" Engine.

"Clam" engines, in my opinion, are those always rebuilt by the ******** Clams you emphatically described ....... and "tight" fitting Babbitt, often recommended by Model A Clam Guys, acts just like the Tight Clam's ******** you described ..... oil tight ..... hence, no initial oil ...... oil not only lubricates Babbitt ...... it also serves as a most important coolant for a very soft metal.

With nothing but compassion and respect, "The Restorer" just published a "Tip" with a photo on how to attach a rubber band on a Model A reversed timing pin where one does not have to "press" on the timing pin ..... with this set up you can observe when the timing pin slips in, while having both hands on your "Clam".

And please don't let your neighbors know you tried to fix your car with a rubber band ........ news like this always travels faster than we Model A owners would ever like ....... for some reason, some of our neighbors already think we Model A people are a bit strange.

I'm sure so many of us have always wished we lived next door where we could come over to help get it going again.
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Have you checked to see if the arm on the top plate moves fully to each side of the opening of the distributor housing? If you don't have that correct the timing will be off.
If you have full movement of the arm to each side, set the advance lever to full retard and use the NuRex wrench that you have the timing should be good.
 
Hi Terry,

Sent you a PM a few minutes ago.

And just for kicks, here is a very philosophical and highly mental email message I received at about noon that said:

"Even though we wish we could change our disappointments of the past, there is a reason our car rear view mirrors are smaller than our windshields ....... where you are headed is more important than what we've left behind."

Sounds like this guy has a "Clam Engine" also ..... and he is on his third six-pack trying desperately to cheer himself up by talking to himself. LOL
 
Sunday Update! Tadaaa! To day I got it started! It ran like a champ! Nice, smoothe I think it took ten or fifteen minutes for it to stop smoking, I guess that was the rings seating. The final difficulty was gas feed. Not the ignition after all. I pulled the gas line apart a ran a check on everything, Lapped in the tank valve and cranked her on 12V. It didn't take long and she was going and didn't stop until I turned turned the key off. I will retorque the head and a few other little things (Water pump weep and a gas weep at the carb. connection) The best part is she ran cool. After half an hour of running the radiator was cool to the touch. I had bought that radiator at Hershey a few years ago for $50 and it looked good , Damn good for the money and I was a little concerned. Other than the water pump and the carburetor there are no leaks as of yet. So I guess I have to do some "Happy Dance" huh? I want to thank all of you for your suggestions and help. Never mind what they say about the definition of insanity, Persistence overcomes resistance!
Terry
P.S. I hope it's not premature, But congratulations to Ora Landis and Schwalms who did the engine.
 
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Another good feature is with a Town Sedan ....... you have an easily accessible back seat with rear doors ...... you can share your touring with neighbors who really don't mind whether or not you used a rubber band on your timing pin to set your timing.

Going to a restaurant that serves "Clams" could add interest to your trip.
 
Great news Terry.
Keep a close eye on water temp with that used rad coupled to your expensive engine....
Kinda like Russian roulette
Get a meat thermometer or such and check it often
 
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Congratulations Terry! It was a long process, but as things go, it was an educational one.
It was also a reminder that what seems most obvious, is not always the case.
Check the basics and keep an open mind for the next "obvious" thing.
Now take that car out for a run, you both deserve it!!
 
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