Won't run without choke (solved)
- Thread starter Garagekulture13
- Start date
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
You most likely have better gasoline than we do. Back in the 60's we could do the same thing, when we had the good gas. Today's gas has a short shelf life, and boils at a lower temperature. It'll work with fuel injection, but it sure isn't made for engines with carburetors.
You most likely have better gasoline than we do. Back in the 60's we could do the same thing, when we had the good gas. Today's gas has a short shelf life, and boils at a lower temperature. It'll work with fuel injection, but it sure isn't made for engines with carburetors.
3.6rs
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
My experiance : The older the car the better it starts on old fuel.
The Willys was 1944, the motorcycles were 1930's.
My experiance : The older the car the better it starts on old fuel.
The Willys was 1944, the motorcycles were 1930's.
Jim/GA
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
Do you have all of the ethanol and other oxygen-enhancing additives in your gasoline there that the government forces us to put on our gasoline here? Those are the things that have made our gasoline less stale over time.
1 year of sitting here can produce gas that does not like to run, depending on the humidity level where the car is stored and the formulation of the gas.
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Do you have all of the ethanol and other oxygen-enhancing additives in your gasoline there that the government forces us to put on our gasoline here? Those are the things that have made our gasoline less stale over time.
1 year of sitting here can produce gas that does not like to run, depending on the humidity level where the car is stored and the formulation of the gas.
.
Garagekulture13
Senior Member
Re: Won't run without choke
I got the venturi back in and no luck. Here is another video with the venturi back in. Also plugs look horrible.
https://youtu.be/7EG3NYCTUg8
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I got the venturi back in and no luck. Here is another video with the venturi back in. Also plugs look horrible.
https://youtu.be/7EG3NYCTUg8
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Jim/GA
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
Yes, if the plugs all look like that, they should be replaced.
The rust is from sitting for a long time with a lot of moisture in the crankcase and the cylinders. Be prepared for a leaky head gasket.
It still sounds like it is not getting enough fuel (or too much air -- vacuum leak). Try swapping in a known good carb from someone else as a test.
Also check the point gap and timing, as mentioned earlier.
Yes, if the plugs all look like that, they should be replaced.
The rust is from sitting for a long time with a lot of moisture in the crankcase and the cylinders. Be prepared for a leaky head gasket.
It still sounds like it is not getting enough fuel (or too much air -- vacuum leak). Try swapping in a known good carb from someone else as a test.
Also check the point gap and timing, as mentioned earlier.
3.6rs
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
15 years ago there wasn't ethanol in the fuel over here. 4-5 years ago there was 5% in the 95 octane. Now there are a few brands that have none or max 2-2.5% in there 98 oct (such as Shell V-power).
15 years ago there wasn't ethanol in the fuel over here. 4-5 years ago there was 5% in the 95 octane. Now there are a few brands that have none or max 2-2.5% in there 98 oct (such as Shell V-power).
3.6rs
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
You call that a plug ? That looks more like a relic found with a metal detector
I got the venturi back in and no luck. Here is another video with the venturi back in. Also plugs look horrible.
https://youtu.be/7EG3NYCTUg8
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
You call that a plug ? That looks more like a relic found with a metal detector
Garagekulture13
Senior Member
Re: Won't run without choke
Update. New plugs installed. No change. It acts as if its running out of gas. Could I have the float set wrong? Points were a tight .015. It's now .018. It will idle but backfires as you can hear. Also the throttle shaft has play in it. Up and down as well as in and out.
https://youtu.be/3R3eLKlvVmU
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
https://youtu.be/LYiTgBbtc30
Update. New plugs installed. No change. It acts as if its running out of gas. Could I have the float set wrong? Points were a tight .015. It's now .018. It will idle but backfires as you can hear. Also the throttle shaft has play in it. Up and down as well as in and out.
https://youtu.be/3R3eLKlvVmU
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
https://youtu.be/LYiTgBbtc30
Last edited:
oldforder
Senior Member
Re: Won't run without choke
OK, I am not a model A expert, as a matter of fact I am a novice with A's. BUT, I am an expert with lawn mower engines, which have a lot of similarities with a model A engine. I agree with everyone who says it is either getting to much air or not enough fuel. Try taking a spray can of carb cleaner, and while trying to slowly accelerate spray it into the carb intake. And of course around all the gaskets etc. Let us know what happens.
OK, I am not a model A expert, as a matter of fact I am a novice with A's. BUT, I am an expert with lawn mower engines, which have a lot of similarities with a model A engine. I agree with everyone who says it is either getting to much air or not enough fuel. Try taking a spray can of carb cleaner, and while trying to slowly accelerate spray it into the carb intake. And of course around all the gaskets etc. Let us know what happens.
Jim/GA
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
Don't worry bout throttle shaft play at this time. Not your problem yet.
When it backfires and dies, does it backfire out the tail pipe? or out the carburetor?
Do a compression test on all cylinders. With that much rust on the spark plug, I suspect you also have some crusty valve stems and some of the valves are not seating properly. Put some MMO in the gas (2 or 3 oz.).
Set the point gap larger, to 0.020" and be sure to put a dab of cam grease on the distributor cam so that the follow does not wear down too fast. After that, check the timing and reset if needed.
Gap the plugs at 0.035".
Yes, it is quite possible that you set the float wrong. You quoted 5/8" in an earlier post. Where did you take that measurement? Between what and what?
Did you try to tighten the exhaust/intake manifold nuts?
Which way is the handle on the fuel shut off valve on the firewall pointing when you are running the engine? If you take the fuel line off of the carburetor and open the valve, will it put out a good strong stream into a jar?
Don't worry bout throttle shaft play at this time. Not your problem yet.
When it backfires and dies, does it backfire out the tail pipe? or out the carburetor?
Do a compression test on all cylinders. With that much rust on the spark plug, I suspect you also have some crusty valve stems and some of the valves are not seating properly. Put some MMO in the gas (2 or 3 oz.).
Set the point gap larger, to 0.020" and be sure to put a dab of cam grease on the distributor cam so that the follow does not wear down too fast. After that, check the timing and reset if needed.
Gap the plugs at 0.035".
Yes, it is quite possible that you set the float wrong. You quoted 5/8" in an earlier post. Where did you take that measurement? Between what and what?
Did you try to tighten the exhaust/intake manifold nuts?
Which way is the handle on the fuel shut off valve on the firewall pointing when you are running the engine? If you take the fuel line off of the carburetor and open the valve, will it put out a good strong stream into a jar?
Garagekulture13
Senior Member
Re: Won't run without choke
Under slight throttle the engine will rev up when I spray carb cleaner on the throttle shaft.
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Under slight throttle the engine will rev up when I spray carb cleaner on the throttle shaft.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Garagekulture13
Senior Member
Re: Won't run without choke
Plugs at .035. Points at .020. MMO in the tank, 3 oz. Back fires thru the carb but has once thru the exhaust. My compression tester dies not have a fitting big enough. So far no change.
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Plugs at .035. Points at .020. MMO in the tank, 3 oz. Back fires thru the carb but has once thru the exhaust. My compression tester dies not have a fitting big enough. So far no change.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Jim/GA
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
OK, then open the carb back up. Check fuel flow into a jar while the carb is off.
FYI, the fuel valve in the most recent photo you posted is in the OFF position.
OK, then open the carb back up. Check fuel flow into a jar while the carb is off.
FYI, the fuel valve in the most recent photo you posted is in the OFF position.
Re: Won't run without choke
Car looks like it has had reasonably good care.
If it was mine, I would do the following to confirm if nothing else that things are working properly.
Check timing, plugs, points, gas flow to carburetor, all wiring, gas cap, (have you tried running with gas cap off?). Than I would remove carburetor and completely clean everything, making sure all passages are open including jets.
I think you have a couple of things going on. Nothing major, just a car that maybe has been sitting and/or has not seen much use in a while.
You need gas and spark, that’s it. I have seen similar problems in other Model A’s over the years.
Take a little time to make sure everything is right. One or two weak systems, everything goes down hill fast. Enjoy.
Car looks like it has had reasonably good care.
If it was mine, I would do the following to confirm if nothing else that things are working properly.
Check timing, plugs, points, gas flow to carburetor, all wiring, gas cap, (have you tried running with gas cap off?). Than I would remove carburetor and completely clean everything, making sure all passages are open including jets.
I think you have a couple of things going on. Nothing major, just a car that maybe has been sitting and/or has not seen much use in a while.
You need gas and spark, that’s it. I have seen similar problems in other Model A’s over the years.
Take a little time to make sure everything is right. One or two weak systems, everything goes down hill fast. Enjoy.
Garagekulture13
Senior Member
Re: Won't run without choke
Apparently I'm not a carb expert. I went to a retired gentleman's house today in which I knew was into Model As. I asked if he had a Zenith carb I could barrow and told him my issue. Well he did. I rushed straight home to put it on and he called 3 times before I made it back. He was excited I had a Model A. I put it on the car and it fired right up and ran good. I went out for a spin and it still acted weak. Put fresh gas in and drove the car to the gentlmans house. It ran pretty rough on the way there. Got there and he sees one of the copper forks had broken off that goes on the spark plug. Yup he had one of them too. Put that on the car and it has ran great since. The gentleman suggested I check the valves and really go over everything. Thanks everyone for sticking with me on this and trying to help. I realize it's hard to do especially not seeing it in person. Plus I didn't help the cause any when I hadn't done the rebuild correctly. Again thanks everyone!
https://youtu.be/X1Jxiqp16Xw
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Apparently I'm not a carb expert. I went to a retired gentleman's house today in which I knew was into Model As. I asked if he had a Zenith carb I could barrow and told him my issue. Well he did. I rushed straight home to put it on and he called 3 times before I made it back. He was excited I had a Model A. I put it on the car and it fired right up and ran good. I went out for a spin and it still acted weak. Put fresh gas in and drove the car to the gentlmans house. It ran pretty rough on the way there. Got there and he sees one of the copper forks had broken off that goes on the spark plug. Yup he had one of them too. Put that on the car and it has ran great since. The gentleman suggested I check the valves and really go over everything. Thanks everyone for sticking with me on this and trying to help. I realize it's hard to do especially not seeing it in person. Plus I didn't help the cause any when I hadn't done the rebuild correctly. Again thanks everyone!
https://youtu.be/X1Jxiqp16Xw
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
Re: Won't run without choke
Distributor crossfire?
Sometimes 3 and 4 want to crossfire. Try another distributor body.
Distributor crossfire?
Sometimes 3 and 4 want to crossfire. Try another distributor body.
michael a
Senior Member
Re: Won't run without choke
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You are a very lucky man not only did you get your car fixed but you acquired a new friend this is your lucky day
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