Help me trouble-shoot my Model A--please

trooperken

trooperken

New member
Okay guys and gals, I am new to this forum and new to Model A's. I have what I believe is a 1931 Model A (it has the cowl lights). It seems to be mostly original, with some reproduction parts. The engine seems to be fairly simple, however, I haven't spun a wrench in over 10 years and seem to have lost some fundamental knowledge. The problem I am having seems to be fuel related. I purchased the car about a month ago and it ran like a top. After parking it for a few days, it did not want to run. I have to choke it all the way to get it to start. It idles, but not very well. It generally dies when I push the choke back in. I am getting fuel to the carburetor. I disassembled the carb and it looked pretty clean (I was afraid that I may have gotten some sediment sucked into it). The only thing that I could see was that the float valve did not seem to move freely with the float. I have never been a carb guy (even though this one seems very straight forward). It has the Tillotson carb on it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
 
Cowl lights are an indication of a deluxe vehicle, not the year. Grill shell and VIN will identify the year. Many carb problems are actually ignition problems, check to see that you are getting good spark.
 
As Jim indicated, what would seem like an electrical problem could be fuel and vice versa. As far as not turning a wrench in 10 years is concerened-----no problem, some of the most knowledgable mechanics----who are current with the technology
of today don't have a clue when it comes to model A's. I stopped by the roadside once and had the hood open to address a minor problem when a guy drove up and offered his services, and then went on to tell me that he was a certified mechanic.
I smiled and asked him if he ever worked on model A's and he said "No." I gave him the symptoms and he gave me a diagnosis----which I knew was totally wrong, then I told him what I thought it was. I then went about the business of fixing the problem while he watched in amazement as I completed the job and the car fired right up. he looked at me and said; "Now I know why you asked me if I was a model A mechanic."
We both had a good laugh as I admitted to him that I would be clueless on a modern car. By the way, the problem was in the starter switch, and his solution was to check the coil. My foot had already told me that it was in the switch. Fortunately, I had a spare. :)

Jack
 
Find a local Model A club and join. You will be overwhelmed by good people who will come over and help you out in person.
 
I agree with Jim Brierley, But it still may be fuel related. The Tillotson carb doesn't have the filter like the Zenith carbs. I would clean up the needle valve assy. It may appear to have gas flow but not be good enough under load. I would remove the gas cut off valve under the tank and install a stand up filter in the valve. It would be a good idea to check the points. I would sand or file the contacts and set the gap at .022
 
Welcome to the club and don't forget the condenser. They are notorious for failing which will make the car run...well poorly.

Mike
 
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