My miss is gone

Minn-Tex Lee

Senior Member
For a year I have been fighting a severe miss. I went through all of the normal suggestions -testing pressure, soaking cylinders with various fluids, changing out the plugs, new coil etc. This year I was about to check for a broken valve spring.
I started the engine and sure enough it still missed for about 15 seconds and then it purred like a kitten. I took it for a 10 mile ride with no problem. My questions are these:
1) What do you think the problem was?
2) What are the chances the problem will return?

I was hoping to get a chance to use my new 4 trace 4 color scope to see if it was electrical but I guess that wont be necessary.
It did, by the way, go through a Minnesota freeze thaw cycle in an unheated garage.
Thanks for your thoughts
Lee
 
At a minimum, i recommend adding MMO or ATF to your fuel tank. Helps with sticky valves and it makes corn fuel more palatable.
 
Put 4 oz MMO in the gas tank and go for a ride. It wouldn't hurt.
I agree with a stuck valve
Dollar bill types faster than me
 
Hi Lee,

Not much difference between a difficult problem with a Miss; and a difficult problem with a Model A ....

With your questions:

"1) What do you think the problem was?" and,
"2) What are the chances the problem will return?"

My guesses:

1) The Model A got fed up with the Miss; and,

2) No, she's not coming back!
 
Hi Lee,

Not much difference between a difficult problem with a Miss; and a difficult problem with a Model A ....

With your questions:

"1) What do you think the problem was?" and,
"2) What are the chances the problem will return?"

My guesses:

1) The Model A got fed up with the Miss; and,

2) No, she's not coming back!
That really hurts!
 
Sounds like a vacuum leak to me. Once the eng got warm what ever was not sealing expanded to make a seal. I would replace the intake gasket, carefully look it over for signs of leakage.

If it was a valve it would make a ticking or a some sort of noise prior to coming loose.
My .02
 
Thanks for all of the replays. I do not use corn base fuel, but none the less I will take the advise and start adding MMO to my fuel each time I fill up.
Lee
 
I agree with all the above, except #2. :D
A good woman is getting hard to find. :mad:

for awhile, Model A's were tough to find at the right price and as of late, Im seeing some fantastic deals!

gotta know where to look.
 
Per Ronn's Reply #14, appears lots of 28-31 Model A's are advertised on the market in the past few years.

Looks like we have more Model A's offered than that of interested Model A buyers.

Car collector/investor whom I bought my 1930 Town Sedan was disappointed that after paying for storage area for mine for 20 years, Model A prices did not increase that much; however, for his investment purchases, selling prices for his collection of later 50's - 60's cars went up considerably.
 
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I think also a stuck / sticky valve. I also used to used MMO in the fuel every tankfull. for a sticky valve however ive had way better luck adding some good 2 cycle oil to the fuel
 
About the time of WWI, commercial fishermen learned that their (2) cycle hit and miss engines used every day in their small boats had far less top of cylinder wear because of adding oil to fuel ..... many car owners in these coastal areas also heard of this fact and started adding a little oil to fuel during Model T days and Model A days.

Adding vintage commercially available top cylinder lubricant or Marvel "Mystery" Oil, (MMO), never was a "mystery" for those few who understood how it worked to add lubrication to upper engine pure non-lubricating gasoline.
 
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