Help diagnosing engine problem

CWilson

CWilson

Senior Member
1930 CCPU 29 Motor 12volt

I was driving home from work at 45MPH when I lost all acceleration and the engine started to bog down. Within 100 yds I had lost all power and the engine died despite me having the accelerator to the floor. It started back up, but when I advanced the spark it died again. I got it started again by keeping the spark fully retarded, but when I put it in gear and let out the clutch it died again. I started it again, but this time it backfired, died and would not start again. Please forgive me in advance for any stupid questions, I'm still new to this. I am currently searching the archives, but any help in the right direction would be appreciated. Thanks

(I drove it to work the last 3 days and it ran like a champ up until the problem above)

Chris
 
Start with spark at the spark plug, does it have a spark, next does it have fuel? is there fuel coming out of the drain plug at the bottom of the carb?
then we have something to go on.
Bob
 
did you try loosening the gas cap? sometimes thats all it is a vent issue.
otherwise
to figure out whats up you need to determine if its a spark or fuel problem
 
Are the points opening? Could be you wore the rubbing off. Any noise out of the ordinary when this happened? How about gas, any in the tank?
Guess we need a little more info to proceed, unless one of the gurus knows what happened.
 
jax55 said:
Are the points opening? Could be you wore the rubbing off. Any noise out of the ordinary when this happened? How about gas, any in the tank?
Guess we need a little more info to proceed, unless one of the gurus knows what happened.
Click to expand...

No noises, just a loss of power. Yes, I have gas in the tank.
 
Check all fuel lines for some kind of obstruction. Your statement that the carb is leaking gas makes me think you have a plugged up fuel supply system of sorts..

Larry Jenkins
 
Check the points paying special attention to if the flat spring which gives the points their tension is not broken. Such a sudden change in performance is unusual.
 
I removed a spark plug and with the plug wire attached, set it up against a head bolt. There was no spark.
 
You might check the screw on top of the cam and make sure it has not let the cam move out of place. I once had a repo cam which I could not keep tightened down and it would turn and slip out of place while driving and then the car would backfire and quit running.
 
Thanks for the help everyone. I'm going to buy a volt meter and try some things suggested in the archives. Wish I knew someone more knowledgeable than me close by!
 
Have you checked the contacts on the points? Maybe they are getting fouled up and weakening the spark to nothing.
 
Buy one of the Les Andrews books and study it while you fidget with your car. If you have much mechanical inclination you will soon start to understand. if you are truly new then let me explain that Les Andrews has been a Model A guru since the 70's or earlier and his books are excellent.
 
loowiloowi said:
Buy one of the Les Andrews books and study it while you fidget with your car. If you have much mechanical inclination you will soon start to understand. if you are truly new then let me explain that Les Andrews has been a Model A guru since the 70's or earlier and his books are excellent.
Click to expand...

I've got the books. Thanks
 
Use a volt meter ACROSS the primary side of the coil. Turn the engine over slowly, when the points close the voltage should go to 6 volts, keep turning and when points open it should go to zero. Thats a good place to start, post results.
 
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