I Give Up

R

rfitzpatrick

Well-known member
Start-Up is normal, idling out the garage is normal. It's after a couple miles I began to lose the engine, wants to die at all stops. I've changed to a rebuilt distributor, had my carburetor rebuilt by a Vendor, cleaned/gap (tho they didn't need it) the Plugs, checked the gas tank fuel cap vent.

I've a new coil on order.

Right now, this is not a 'Simply" machine. It all started about a month ago, I
m driving this 10 mile-drive when all of a sudden, I lose engine power for about 10 seconds. Now I'm losing it much quicker. My fuel strainer shows no contamination

Suggestions please
Yes, I've adjust the fuel mixture when it happens to no effect
 
ModelAMike1930 said:
It sounds like you have some bum fuel. Try adding some fuel additive.
Click to expand...

Marvel-Mystery Oil added each and every fill-up -- tho I do feel it's Fuel-Starvation -- some how. I'm trying my third carburetor and waiting on a new coil right now. The issue always shows up after driven a few miles, never in the Garage. It's the insistence it wants to shut-down as I'm about to put it away that puzzles me
TKS
 
Mount your cellphone under the hood and video the fuel bowl as you drive. You should be able to see if the fuel bowl runs dry. Just a thought on something to try.
 
rfitzpatrick said:
Start-Up is normal, idling out the garage is normal. It's after a couple miles I began to lose the engine, wants to die at all stops. I've changed to a rebuilt distributor, had my carburetor rebuilt by a Vendor, cleaned/gap (tho they didn't need it) the Plugs, checked the gas tank fuel cap vent.

I've a new coil on order.

Right now, this is not a 'Simply" machine. It all started about a month ago, I
m driving this 10 mile-drive when all of a sudden, I lose engine power for about 10 seconds. Now I'm losing it much quicker. My fuel strainer shows no contamination

Suggestions please
Yes, I've adjust the fuel mixture when it happens to no effect
Click to expand...
When it warms up!!! Condenser failure?
 
Sounds like you have crud in fuel line, when car sits enough fuel gets to carb , car runs on bowl fuel and small amount that can come from tank but as you drive carb can not get enough fuel to keep going and dies. MAYBE
 
look in your tank with a flashlight, check the bottom where the outlet is. Bet you will find remenants of old gauge gasket material in the outlet.
 
jimTN said:
look in your tank with a flashlight, check the bottom where the outlet is. Bet you will find remenants of old gauge gasket material in the outlet.
Click to expand...

I'm 83 -- both sides (hip-replacement) begins the 24th -- I was afraid I'm to try to view the tank-outlet. Since 2018 I've owned this Budd-Cab, not sure what's in the tank, tho I was thinking of blowing air back thru the shut-off -- I don't know what else to do right now.
TKS
 
rfitzpatrick said:
I'm 83 -- both sides (hip-replacement) begins the 24th -- I was afraid I'm to try to view the tank-outlet. Since 2018 I've owned this Budd-Cab, not sure what's in the tank, tho I was thinking of blowing air back thru the shut-off -- I don't know what else to do right now.
TKS
Click to expand...

Let it sit until you feel better.

I think you have a fuel problem. When you feel up to it. Take you fuel system apart. Make sure everything is flowing cleanly. Clean you carburetor, blowing out the jets. Than I would install an inline fuel filter half way between the original fire wall mounted bowl and your carburetor. Just cut the fuel line and add filter with rubber hoses and clamps.

This has worked for me a number of times. Make sure your plugs a correct and in great shape.

Hope your feeling better.
 
Recent article in the Restorer magazine was about the same symptoms. Turns out the float was too light. Some floats now are made too light. The solution was to glue a washer to the top of the float, but the real solution would be to find a float of the right weight.
 
Fuel problem.

Set up an "alternate" source of supply with a brass hose nib fitting, some fuel hose and a plastic bottle. Gravity feed of course so you don't want any of this to get tangled up in your fan blade.

I have a probably one gallon square plastic gas tank from a Briggs & Stratton ride-on mower. It has the "stab" off the bottom where one end of the fuel hose goes. The other end to the carburetor. I can hang this rig from the traverse rods above the motor.

This was the modus for "testing out" the bare frame/engine before mounting the body back in place.

Stripped down like that for a short ride, I was surprised by how "zippy" the car was. I had trouble keeping my seat on the box.

Joe K
 
when you have the problem take the drain plug out under the main jet and see if you have continuous fuel flow— have a container,wrench etc all ready and before you go remove the drain plug so you know you can remove it and replace it without problem and you would know what no problem flow looks like.
a clear container is best because you should also let the fuel settle a while and then look to see if there are 2 layers because the fuel is bad.
 
nkaminar said:
Recent article in the Restorer magazine was about the same symptoms. Turns out the float was too light. Some floats now are made too light. The solution was to glue a washer to the top of the float, but the real solution would be to find a float of the right weight.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your response. however, I've tried two separate carburetors with no solution
Tho I do agree -- it's a fuel problem, I am grabbing at anything but. Now I have the only PicUp Model A in North Broward County, it's not likely I'll find support --- Our Club has relocated to Palm Beach, and I don't drive it that far.
TKS Guys
 
Re-check your gas cap. At idle it will run all day but under load with crud in the cap it will starve and the system will be sucking air from inside the tank. At least try another cap before tearing stuff off.
 
Rfitzpatric, If you are a member of the Model A Ford Club of America, MAFCA, then you get the Restorer magazine. The article is on page 14 of the latest issue, March/April 2025. If you don't get the magazine, try to borrow a copy from someone. It is worth a read.
 
If out of ideas, check the valve lash. Had a similar problem which turned out to be insuffucuent lash on one valve which transitioned to zero minus lash after warm up. Please share the fix when you find it. Good Luck !
 
Way back, in post #5, Gary WA suggested an overheated condenser. It sounds like the problem I had several years ago. I put in a new condenser - back on the road. End of problem.
Marty
 
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