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Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Hey guys. Ive had my Model A since July now, it was passed down to my from my grandfather. When I got the car, it wasnt running. Since then, I have gotten the car to run. Now, when the car runs, its runs rough. I have to have the choke on for it to stay running, and it will cut out from time to time. If I give it any gas, it stalls. Im thinking it is a fuel issue. I had the car running good a few weeks ago, but the radiator was bad, which caused the car to overheat, which ruined the condensor. Since then, i put a new radiator and condensor in. I also changed the plugs at the same time. Correct gap and all. Timing is set, but I will check it again this weekend.
Heres a list of all of the new parts i have put in: -New Zenith carb. This one: http://www.autotestsys.com/Merchant2..._Code=ZEN13922 ^ I know this isnt the problem because the car ran perfectly with this before. The old zenith had a broken jet and was all gummed up -New coil -New coil wire -New plugs (motorcraft) -New points (gapped and timing set) -New radiator, hoses, thermostat and water pipe -New starter -New battery, cables, and ground strap -New condensor And thats about it. One other question. Which way do I turn the fuel shutoff? Does the end point down towards the floor, or does it go parallel with the line? I just want to make sure I have it turned the right way. Thanks guys! |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! When the fuel handle is pointed up and down it's ready for take off, just like a rocketship. Horizontal is off. This is original fuel valves and I don't know if any repro valves were set up differently.
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Ok that is what I thought.. Just wanted to make sure I wasnt brain dead and doing it wrong the entire time. |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Have you installed this little screen in the shut off valve on the gas tank, to keep any junk from clogging the tank outlet and limiting fuel flow to your new carb?
http://www.brattons.com/uploads/imag...arge/13280.jpg |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Have you disconnected the fuel line, either at the firewall, sediment bowl or the carb inlet and checked for GOOD fuel flow??
Paul in CT |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Drain the fuel tank, make sure the shutoff valve is clear, stick a screwdriver into the tank where the fuel line exits the tank. My 31 would not run but about 2 minutes and I found a glob of rust snot in the tank right at the exit of the tank. And please have a fuel filter in the line. I like the clear type so I can see what is happning.
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! I'm thinking vacuum leak from the windshield wiper motor. Plug the vacuum line on the intake above the carburetor and see if that helps
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Keep in mind you only need spark, gas and timing to make a Model A run. Make sure you have all three, and then start throwing money at other potential problems, like radiators. You don't need a thermostat. And finally, as you work on your A, don't throw anything away, even if you think it's broken or doesn't work; you never know when you'll need it or want it for some other purpose. Welcome to one of the best hobbies there is.
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Don't forget to check the filter/strainer in the carb.
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Sounds like fuel starvation. Not all fuel taps are the right way round! to make sure reasonable fuel flow to carb disconnect fuel line from carb and blow back through it to dislodge any crud stuck at tank oultet. at least that'll be one possiblity eliminated.
( also try running it with fuel cap off just in case it not vented properly- on later As they looke the same and fit but the rad cap is non vented the fuel cap vented) |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! I'm surprised no one has mentioned it but there is supposed to be a filter on the tank side of your shutoff valve. It may have become clogged and restricting the fuel flow. If you blow air back into the tank it may dislodge the filter and cause more problems. Id pull the line from the carb and attempt to drain the tank if it doesn't flow from the line suck it out through the fill hole. Remove the shut off and inspect inside. If you pull the line at the carb and get a good steady fuel flow disregard everything I just mentioned.
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! In addition to trying the above suggestions, you can also check to see that your fuel line from the filter bowl to the carb is not in too far past the compression ring. If it is too far into the filter bowl the gas flow will be restricted.
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Little bit of an update. My dad and I tried messing with the car abit today. First we checked the fuel, and it was flowing good, and the fuel was not dirty.
Next we started the car up. With the choke on it idled pretty good. Eventually once the car was warmed up, we adjusted the carb a little bit, and now it idles very well. You can give it gas and it does not stall. Took it for a little ride around the backyard and it seemed good. I think the problem we were having was not giving the car enough time to warm up. The car seems to be running much better. Only issue we were having is when you tend to push the gas pedal at a pretty decent rate (not flooring it, but pushing it pretty good) it tends to bog a little bit. Is that a common issue with these cars? |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! open the GAV ,maybe 1/4 turn while Giving it Gas driving down the road ,sounds like it may be starving for fuel. Also make sure the spark lever is pulled bout 3/4 way down.Need to be advanced as the motor turns over faster .
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! I had the bogging throttle response in another car. The float in the carb was set too low. Doesn't allow the bowl to fill up enough. You may need to check your float height.
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Quote:
And Should I leave it 3/4 down or all the way down? once the car starts up I usually bring it all the way down. |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Theo: The spark advance should be adjusted to the point that the engine runs the best for the speed that you are driving. Running with the advance all the way down is usually when you are running at high speeds.
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Theo: The spark lever should be all the way up when starting! Then moved down a few notches until warmed up.
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Im going to try to take it for a spin around the block and see if it stalls out. I took it around my back yard yesterday, and had the car running for around 30 mins with no problems. I think it might have been a bad condensor that caused the car to stall after it warmed up,
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Update! The car runs great! it wound up being bad gas in the tank. The gas was coming out a dark yellow and brown with a bunch of rust. We flushed the tank with a few gallons of new gas, and now it runs perfect.
Now taking it on the road I found another issue. The car started shaking very badly. It was coming from the front end. both wheels were wobbling. Lug nuts are tight and the tires are fine, and are fully inflated. Any ideas? |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Loose wheel bearings, king-pins, worn/loose tie rod ends, worn/loose wishbone ball, loose pitman arm, strg box loose to frame, excessive play in the strg box?? Could be any or all of what I've mentioned. Jack it up at start at the pitman arm.
Paul in CT |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Quote:
Alright ill pull it out and jack it up. Ill take a look and see if anything is loose. |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Try to hot wire direct from the battery with no key just the coil inseries then direct to the distributor turn it over and with gas in the carb it will start Gas plus spark it will run Gord. B by the Bay
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Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! My two cents worth - it sounds like fuel starvation. Mine went on a streak like that. I found the float was sticking "closed" - usually they leak and cause flooding. Thiswould happen very erraticly - changed float valves and reset - the rest is history.
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It was rust in the tank/bad gas. Once I flushed the tank with a couple gallons of fresh gas the car runs excellent. I am having problems now with a very bad shake in the front end. Doesnt do it all the time, but every once in a while and its bad. |
Re: Cant keep my Model A running.. Help me troubleshoot! Quote:
You should probably start a new thread for this next issue. But try tightening the pitman arm bolt, and perhaps taking out any end play in the steering sector shaft. Any looseness in those areas can cause the violent front-end shake. |
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