Seems to run on 3 cylinders

T

TMarsh

Senior Member
1930 coupe .80 over bore, tillison carburetor, stock head, 160 thermostat, no air filter. Car runs great after short warm up. When I put coupe up, I run it out of gas with shutoff valve. Next time I start it, after about 30 seconds of fuel valve opening, the car seems to have a dead miss for about two minutes then it runs great. At start, GAV one full turn, throttle couple of notches down, advance 9-10 a clock after start. Any ideas, are just do not fool with it.
 
Do you use Marvel Mystery Oil in your gas?

I would add some, and as the doctor would say, “call me if you don’t feel better”.

Enjoy.
 
A little off topic, but an old timer told me a Model A will get you home on one cylinder...

He said if you disconnect the others, a well-tuned one will run on cylinder 1.

Not sure of the significance of cylinder 1. But I will sure try it when/if I get mine running...

Mike
Houston, TX
 
4 oz MMO to 10 gallons gas, try not running it out of gas when you park it, try running it for just a few moments. I turn my L31 gas valve that’s on the firewall off and walk around and then turn off the ignition switch
 
Have about 4000 miles on engine, just started using mmo about two tanks ago. I will try not to run it out of gas on shutdown. Thought it might be a valve, but has not always done that.
 
Locate the one cylinder that is apparently missing by shorting out spark plugs one at a time. Take a compression check when cold. Best to use a compression gauge but a low tech method is to hand crank slowly to see if there is any cylinder offering less resistance.
 
Old shop saying “if you think it’s fuel issue it’s most likely ignition, if you think it’s ignition it’s most likely fuel”

I love the “get you home on one cylinder” stories, .. folks beat the hell out of the car when you could buy one for 5 bucks all kinds of tales arose from that time, most occurred a day before the car was thrown away for another one
 
Thought I should get back to you all. Developed dead miss. Compression 53-60 lbs. Turns out it was a bad autolite plug with just over 4000 miles.
Side note: Spark plugs were very hard to remove, not sure what I put on them when installed but I thought it was anti-seeze. Sure this time.
Running like a champ again.
 
One more update. Changed Autolite plugs to Champion W16Y. Turns out pulling plugs and reinstalling them seemed to eliminate ploblem for awhile. Problem came back. Did some Google research and found that the W16Y plugs have the same properties inside the block, but the insulator above the head is longer on the Champion. My limited research lead me to believe these plugs are hotter. Running good again, will keep yall updated to changes if anything.
 
As others have stated, definitely a good idea to run some Marvel Mystery oil in it. You can get it just about any auto parts store, Wallmart etc etc. It WORKS. ATF works too.
 
Now you are onto something. Since you changed the plugs, let the Marvel Mystery Oil do some work. I bet things clear up. Don't over think it. I have over thunk it many times.
 
Big hammer said:
4 oz MMO to 10 gallons gas, try not running it out of gas when you park it, try running it for just a few moments. I turn my L31 gas valve that’s on the firewall off and walk around and then turn off the ignition switch
Click to expand...

What's wrong with letting it run out of gas?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top