Input sought from Barner mechanics

G

Gil Sissons

Senior Member
Background:
Just installed a totally rebuilt motor in recent weeks in the 31 Model A.
Car is running great. Good friend and Model A guy comes over for a ride.
We head out...car running great...goes about 15 miles then dies.
I quickly realize...MY SCREW UP! We are out of gas.
No problem...call AAA...and gas is soon on its way.
Truck driver arrives with 2 gallon can and dumps it in the car. Thank you...
and he is on his way. Model A fires right up...and we are back on the road!
Go about 1/8th mile and quickly looses power...and huge volumes of smoke out the back of the car. Barely make it to a turn out.
We pull out the tool bag and run thru everything. All looks good.
Call a real Model A mechanic...who arrives...checks that all is good...then pulls
me the 3 miles towards home...all the time with car in 3rd gear...and yes...key on. Will not fire.
SO...
Yesterday start going over things...and discovered the AAA guy had not dumped 2 gallons of gas...but 2 gallons of DIESEL in the car.

What we have done so far...
drained the gas tank. Then added about 1/2 gallon gas and drained that too.
pulled the plugs and put new plugs in.
Pulled the carb and opened it up and cleaned it.
Then installed the backup carb....and later cleaned it out.
Timed the car...at least 4 times.
Have strong spark at tip of spark plug.
Have good fuel flow to carb.
Have new coil.

BUT...cannot start the car.
Open to any and all suggestions from the Barners.
And yes...I know...if I had kept gas in the car this would not have happened.
And...the AAA owner came over...happens to own Model A's. Gave us dinner money...and asked what he could help with . great guy.
Appreciate the input.
Gil NoCal
 
Just fill it with gas and drive it until near empty, then fill again. Not likely any damage is done. If anything the valves will be cleaner and well lubed. Not sure why you went to all of the trouble changing so much after the minor event. Rod
 
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Pull and clean the plugs, could have oily deposits from the diesel? The diesel shouldn't have hurt anything. I wouldn't even flush the system again. Diesel can help with upper cylinder lubrication. Other than that, check for good spark.
 
My suspicion is that you need to replace the plugs. If that works, try putting one of the old plugs back in, start it up and run it till the replaced plug starts to fire and run good, then do the next one, and the next one.....
 
If you have an air cleaner take it off till you get thing sorted out, maybe with all your messing with the engine you knocked a wire or connection causing an ignition ground.
If you messed with the points check for grounding under and around the point plate, back the condenser out a few turns, bypass/jump the ignition.
My guess is it's something simple you're overlooking.
 
I am guessing in taking the carbs apart you have a vacuum leak or have some how messed them up. Just a guesse from afar. Rod
 
Gil Sissons said:
The car WILL NOT FIRE...
Cannot get it to start up...
Thats why
Gil NoCal
Click to expand...

Hey Gil,
Yeah, some get it ('WILL NOT FIRE' :D ) and some do not read it,eh !
I second several comments made here though, i.e.--- Jim B says 'new plugs'...that would be my FIRST change activity, and maybe last necessary.

Also stated...'why do a major tear down/parts replace' ...for simple fuel problem. YOU did the smart / necessary, clean the system, first action.
With NEW plugs that car , that ran strong, before the diesel incident, should run same again.
As youngsters, guys I knew :rolleyes:, ran 'borrowed diesel'....by accident. We'd clean the carb/tank/lines, add proper fuel and away we'd go.
might check coil out. Been a long time since I messed up with diesel, so interested in what you find :)
 
Check your ignition and if OK give a shot of starting fluid while cranking. If it still won't start, sell it.
 
Separate the Gas tank issue from the rest of the system. Will it run on an auxiliary gas tank? That will confirm if there is still too much fuel in the tank mixing with the gas.
 
UPDATE:
Back at it this AM.
Pulled the NEW plugs (again)...
gave a quick squirt of starting fluid down each plug hole...and on tip of spark plug.
No fire.
Repeat...pull plug and squirt hole & plug.
No fire
Repeat...pull plug and squirt hole & plug.
YAHOO! She fired up!
Smoke? Whoa Boy!
But all ends well....running fine...starts fine.
And No...even if Diesel stays cheaper will not go that route again!
Thanks for all who gave input.
Gil NoCal
 
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