Sharing my 1929 station wagon and a won't start problem solved.

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA

Well-known member
Two days ago I drove my 1929 station wagon to Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach, California where it was displayed at their annual fund raiser. My wife and I got to tour the gardens, the stable and enjoyed the luncheon as well.
The staff and the docents are wonderful people.
They had me park next to some antique gasoline pumps (see pic). A professional photographer took some pictures which I hope to see in the coming weeks.

Fred the donkey 'he hawed' throughout the luncheon and a goat got loose and came up to the podium. They were two unexpected, but fun guest speakers.

Attendee pledges and several auctions seemed to raise a lot of funds.

When I got home, I backed the car into the driveway and turned the motor off. I opened the gate and the garage door and attempted to restart the car and it would not start. I discovered that the points had closed up.
 
Some pictures.
 

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I discovered that the points had closed up.
Click to expand...

Condenser gone bad? They're wont to do that, especially the "modern replacements" which are frequently made overseas.

Another thought is the fingertip of vasoline on that point-block?

Joe K
 
Neil, That's my definition of a good car to die back home in your driveway!

We all need to be so lucky.
 
Get into the habit of always fully retarding the spark at idle for a second or two before shutting off the engine. This has two benefits: (1) The chances of a backfire will be almost nil; (2) The spark lever will be in the correct position for the next start. I still see longtime Model A owners occasionally forgetting to retard the timing before starting their engines. We all know that this hard on the starter, Bendix drive spring and its bolts. Bent starter shafts are the eventual result of this forgetfulness.
Still, under normal circumstances there should be no backfire when shutting off the engine, unless as pointed out, the condenser is on its last legs. Change it and see if that helps. Also, if the fuel mixture is too lean and the engine hot, a backfire can occur, especially if the spark lever is in the fully advanced position and the timing inside the distributor is set a tad bit too advanced.
Marshall.
 
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