Help Needed - No Power at Load

[alvisoroadsters]

Hi All,
This is my first stock Model A, and I'm working through some of the inherent bugs from when I got it. Here's where I'm at:

Symptoms
- Slight Stuttering at idle- I let it idle and it died after 3-4 minutes of intermittent stuttering, like an intermittent miss every few 5-10 seconds or so.

- Bogging/Chugging on Load - This has been my big problem, I can get to about 53 MPH and it'll give up and buck a bit.

- Occasional backfire- It'll backfire when it gives up at higher load. You'll be acelebrating, then it craps out and can backfire.

Work Performed
- Found a loose carb bolt, tightened it and installed new base gasket (awhile ago, problem remains)
- Rebuilt the Carburetor - didn't find any obvious signs or issues
- Replaced the filter in the bowl
- Verified fuel flow into bowl and carb

Help me, FordBarn gods, you're my only hope!

I'm thinking it COULD be float level, I eyeballed it last night but can't feel good until I check it with a ruler. What else am I not thinking of?

Thanks again guys!!!

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Sounds like a weak spark. Check by holding the coil wire 1/4" from a head nut and look for a hot blue spark. Pull the wire slowly away and see if it can reach 1/2".
You might need a new condenser. Coils don't often fail.

 

[Bob C]

Where are you running the timing advance lever when this is happening?

Bob

 

[alvisoroadsters]

HAH!

You mean, the condensor that is supposed to be in there?

 

[alvisoroadsters]

Because it isn't there

 

[alvisoroadsters]

@Bob C either all the way down, or 3/4 down depending on the grade of the road. I try and retard it some when pulling a grade, but all the way down on flat, highway drivin'

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Yes, as in this picture.

 

[Bob C]

Any chance you have the modern upper plate with the condenser by the points?

Bob

 

[alvisoroadsters]

Good catch Bob

 

[alvisoroadsters]

Very good catch. I'll take a look later and see if that's the culprit

 

[alvisoroadsters]

Is that condensor something you can readily get at a parts store? I.e. part number interchange

I live near All Ford Parts in Campbell, CA, is this conversion common enough you think they'd have one?

 

[Rowdy]

Whats the deal with the carb spacer? Is it cracked just to the right of the brass thumbscrew on it? Rod

 

[alvisoroadsters]

That carb spacer is a bit of a mystery. It has a street fitting and T's vacuum to some sort of PCV Valve and the wipers. Never noticed the crack

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Have you tried the car without the air filter?

It might be running too rich.

 

[alvisoroadsters]

Hi Tom,
Tried this afternoon, but it exhibited the same issues.

 

[colin1928]

Check your points gap should 0.020" and timing before you start changing parts

 

[barkleydave]

I would bet there is a manifold leak at the spacer or the smaller bolt on the manifold flange. Sounds like more than one gremlin is at work here

 

[Mitch//pa]

You may have a lot of issues from dist, to carb, to vacuum leaks,,ignition switch ,,, maybe someone put a wireless lower plate in it Or you have a bad lower plate wire,,, what's going on with the un-armored dist cable?.. Seems to have a tie and fuel hose over it or such
It seems a lot of makeshift has been done previously..
If it were mine I would go through all mentioned including the junction box and other ext wiring..

 

[mshmodela]

HAH!

You mean, the condensor that is supposed to be in there?

So you've like got modern points..

 

[DJ S]

you may have a lot of issues from dist, to carb, to vacuum leaks,,ignition switch ,,, maybe someone put a wireless lower plate in it or you have a bad lower plate wire,,, what's going on with the un-armored dist cable?.. Seems to have a tie and fuel hose over it or such
it seems a lot of makeshift has been done previously..
if it were mine i would go through all mentioned including the junction box and other ext wiring..

x2!