Need help with several issues, stalling and shaking

ktkamm

ktkamm

Member
I need to tap in to the collective wisdom of this site. I just purchased a 1930, Model AA heavy duty truck. Prior to purchasing it, I new there were several issues that would need attention right off.

The first issue is stalling. Will stall when just sitting there at idle and also with driving. Seems like it is starved for gas. I have flushed out the tank by running 5 gallons of gas through it, filtering the gas through a paint strainer and then emptying the glass sediment bowl of accumulated rust particles. Put in a new inline gas filter (previous owner had one and I just put in a new one). Took the carb bottom off. There was gas in the bowl and some fine rust particles. The carb filter did not appear to be very dirty.When I opened the gas petcock with the bottom off, there seemed to be plenty of gas spraying out with the float down. When I do get it idling, it will start to stall out when I screw in the idle screw. Also starts to stall when the carb air intake is blocked. No change in sound with spraying WD40 around the carb or manifold gaskets. When I was flushing the tank yesterday, plenty of gas through sediment bowl. I do know the timing is messed up (waiting for a wrench to adjust it). To start it, spark delay level needs to be at around the 9:00 position. Any thoughts appreciated.

Second issue involves fairly violent shaking of the front end from side to side when it is going about 5-10 MPH. Even noticed it when my wife was towing me home from around the block! Tires are properly inflated and in good shape.

I am new to all of this and appreciate any help/guidance.

I tried to upload a video of the engine running. No luck. Will add it if I can.

Kieran
 
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Re: Ned help with several issues, stalling and shaking

On the shake issue, first thing to do is make sure you have the tow-in set right. Dont worry about this. You can fix it. Get the toe in right and go from there.
If you can find a local model a club, join it.
 
Re: Ned help with several issues, stalling and shaking

Thanks Jackson. I do plan on joining the local club. Unfortunately they meet at a location about 80 miles away.
 
Front end got the shakes? As Jackson said, check toe in first. Then jack up both front tires and wiggle them from side to side to check for loose ball joints and/or steering box play. Then wiggle the front tires back and forth from the 12 o'clock/6o'clock positions. This will determine if you have worn out king pins. All of the above can make your truck shake like crazy.
 
Thanks Mike. Once back home in several weeks, I will give those things a try. Appreciate everyone's input.
 
Welcome to the barn Kieran.
The information stated above is excellent.
I have nothing further to offer except; good luck.
Keep us informed. Jeff
 
Personally I would not set the toe in first. I would wait until I get all of the slop out of the steering system and then set the toe in.
Leave the wheels on the ground and have a friend sit in the truck and have them turn the steering wheel back and forth just to the point that the wheels want to start to move. Have them do that over and over and over while you are underneath checking every thing over for movement. Start at the steering box where it attaches to the frame and work your way out from there. Remove any slop in the drag link and tie rod. Look for movement where the ball of the wish bone attaches to the bell housing. After you have taken all the slop out of those areas lift the front wheels off the ground and grasp the wheels at the top and bottom and wiggle them to check for worn king pins and to make sure the backing plates are tight. Check to make sure the the wheel bearings are not too loose.
After doing all of that then set your toe in and give it a go.

Get your timing set dead on prior to putting too much effort into your stalling problem. That will keep you from running in circles needlessly.
Make sure the the lever at the back side of the distributor has full movement to either side of the slot. Very important to get that set first.

Get a gasket kit for the carb. Disassemble it and let it soak in a gallon of carburetor solvent for a day or so. You can get it at any auto store. Wash it up good, blow out all of the passages and jets and reassemble. First time doing this can seem daunting but take pictures and good notes where the parts go and what jets have gaskets on them and reassembly will not be a problem.

To paint the carburetor use some black lacquer spray paint and then after that is good and dry spray it with a coat of the clear fuel proof paint from Hobby Town.
 
Thanks Dave. I will give all that a go when I have some more free time in a few weeks. I appreciate all the help from everyone. Great group!
 
Thanks Jackson. In anticipation of trying to buy the truck, I have been watching a lot of those over the last month. All great info. I see you are in Michigan. My youngest daughter (24!) is a Yooper! She was born when I was stationed at KI Sawyer AFB oh so long ago!
 
Make sure your pitman arm is tight on the steering shaft as well. Mine got a little loose and with some slop in the drag link, it made it a bit of a chore to drive. No toe-in adjustment was needed for mine though.
 
Here's something to check. Make sure that the fuel filter is the old style and not for a pressure system. The new style will not flow properly unless it has pressure behind it. Tractor suppliers are a good source for a basic fuel filter.

Welcome to the Barn. You'll find a great group of folks here.

John Poole
 
I would check the battery terminals for tightness, take the dash off and check the amp meter and ignition switch to see if the terminals are tight. Check the battery ground for clean and tight and check the nut on top of the starter for good and tight.
 
Re the shaking. Check that the bolts holding the steering box to the chassis are tight along with everything else in the front end. Check king pins both at the bushes and where they go through the axle, wheel bearings, ball joints, Steering box, shackles - the lot. A little here, a little there and before long you have a problem.
 
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