Why didn't it start again?

Terry NJ

Terry NJ

Well-known member
So I started off for the flea market this AM. The car had been running fine! About two miles from the house, she started with a clogged gas line. I blew the line out, dumped the crud in the sediment bowl and she restarted and purred. A couple of miles later, she quit again. So I get out a dump some more crud and blew the line again. Restarted, and we're off again. Pulled into the gas station and shut it down and gassed it up. Tried to start and it would crank but not start.after about 10 minutes of fooling with it, I happen to notice about an 8 amp discharge WITH THE KEY OFF! Hey! what the heck is this? Sub sequent testing and elimination showed that it seemed to be in the charging scircuit (Gen., or cutout) so I disconnected the gen wire. Oh yeah, somewhere in my testing the short went from 8 amps to 18 amps, almost a dead short. This was my most reliable car too!
Terry
 
Looks like a little preventive maintenance and a filter would have went a long way. The first thing you should do is fire the mechanic that looks after your car. Wayne.
 
Hi Terry,

With:

"I happen to notice about an 8 amp discharge WITH THE KEY OFF! Hey! what the heck is this?"

Whether one has old Model A wiring or new Model A wiring, a good habit to develop is to always carry with one's regular tools, an analog multi-meter for electrical testing accompanied by a Model A wiring diagram.

Can work wonders for electrical diagnostics when starting from the (+ ) & (-) post of the battery.

Like forgetting a roll of toilet tissue on multiple camping trips .... forgetting multi-meters for Model As are not much different ...... sooner or later, good chance you will need it.
 
MikeK said:
Did you get your little pets wet or feed them after midnight?
Click to expand...

I believe MikeK was making a 1984 movie reference to the notorious electrical "Gremlins" we all seem to deal with on a random basis. Lastly, be sure to avoid exposure to bright lights as well - that really brings them out - that is the 3rd and final rule. :D
 
Well, Putting the wildlife aside, I fooled around with it some more last night. I took the filter screen out and saw exactly why it clogs so easily. I cleaned it with a propane torch and noticed a tear in one side. No problem! I'll pick one up at Jacktown today (it's their fall show) Not one filter did I see. But now the carb is blocked too. Hey! Not to skip around too much, but I picked up a 1 BBL carb today for cheap. It has "Ford" on one side of the bowl with scripted letters. The guy who was selling it said it was for a 6cyl, possibly a Ford Falcon. I remember Falcons having a glass bowl, this has no glass. Me thinks it's Stromberg 81 or one of the old flathead Sixes they made. Wish I could post pics!
Terry
 
Put the filter that many of us run in your sediment glass bulb. That will stop everything from going downstream to the carb.
 
The 81 is a two barrel, looks like a 97. The one you got is most likely for a flathead 6cyl.

Bob
 

Attachments

  • 6carb.jpg
    6carb.jpg
    45.3 KB · Views: 25
Here are pictures of a Stromberg 81 and a 1 BBL Detroit Lubricator from the early V8's.

Bob
 

Attachments

  • strom81.jpg
    strom81.jpg
    35.1 KB · Views: 17
  • strom81A.jpg
    strom81A.jpg
    34.2 KB · Views: 18
  • detroitlub.jpg
    detroitlub.jpg
    60.6 KB · Views: 18
I can see that what I have is different. I think you're correct about the six Cyl FH application. Oh well somewhere, someone can use it. Thanks for the info. I never heard of a Detroit Lubricator before. Every day I learn something. Thanks again!
Terry



Bob C said:
Here are pictures of a Stromberg 81 and a 1 BBL Detroit Lubricator from the early V8's.

Bob
Click to expand...
 
Back to the problem out in the garage! I took the Carb off and thoroughly cleaned it out. There was a lot of rust/crud in the bottom. I removed the jets and blew everything out. All was clear. With much cranking, I got it to run for about a minute. Then it was "No go" from then on. The carb is leaking internally at the float. It's one of those "Caged" units where the float valve and the seat are one. By the way, It's a later "B" (Rectangular float) model and has given me no problems in the past. So, as before, I would appreciate any help.
Terry
 
I've been having a lot of back and hip problems lately so I haven't been doing much. I did order a new condenser and replaced it. Turns out the other one is dead (I won't say "Burned out" because it doesn't seem burned anywhere, tests with my condenser tester show an open circuit) As I said, I don't do much lately but I install the condenser yesterday and It still has no spark, Gas seems OK now, I have Mitch's 3039 filter in place. But it has no fire! Today I went outside and the Coil was hot to the touch, Guess who forgot to turn it off! Did I have the coil wired in correctly or was it backwards? and I'm actively taking suggestions about the Ign. System and possible causes of it's breakdown!
Terry
 
Hi Terry
When your ready,, and next to the car with a testlight in hand call me at the shop and I'll walk u through it
 
I had a similar issue 3 months ago. Replaced the amp meter and coil and still had the same issue. Replaced the cut out and she started and ran perfectly the first try.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top