The Ford Barn

freak · 09-19-2013, 06:35 AM

My 1930 A is new to me so I don't have any drivability history but here is my problem. After a drive of about 15 or so miles, occasionally when I pull up to a stop my engine will die. I can restart but takes it a little bit of cranking. During cranking I don't do anything other than set the spark retarded. It seems to me that it may be running rich and getting itself flooded out because I usually smell gas but don't know for sure that is it. I know this is all vague but if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it.

Chris in CT · 09-19-2013, 07:23 AM

Hi freak,
Normally, this condition is caused by too lean a mixture on the idle circuit. The carburetor main nozzles can be too rich (you said you smell gas) but the car will still stall because of a too lean mixture coming out of the idle jet.

You need to adjust the idle needle - not the idle position on the throttle shaft. Its counter-intuitive. Screwing the adjustment inward makes the mixture richer, outward makes it leaner. Start with 1 1/2 turns up from fully seated (screwed down - be gentle) and test the car, turn the screw inward until the car no longer stalls at stops. Happy Motoring!!!

freak · 09-19-2013, 07:41 AM

Thank you very much!

KGBnut · 09-19-2013, 08:56 AM

Also, it is a good idea to check the carburetor float. An improperly adjusted float can also contribute to this problem.

This is actually fairly common issue with Zenith Carbs, which partly explains the design change for the Model B in 1932.

I found one habit that helps for me, I lift my foot off the gas and throw in the clutch well before I get to the stop sign. This allows the engine to wind down, and settle in, before I hit the brakes and everything in the carb sloshes to the front.

Ken

Patrick L. · 09-19-2013, 09:09 AM

I would first recommend the easy stuff, and, like Chis mentioned, the idle mixture adjustment and then the idle speed adjustment. If this doesn't correct the problem, let us know. Also re-starting the engine may help if you open the throttle a bit with the right side lever. Once started, are you running with the spark [left] lever at about the 8:30-9:00 position ?

freak · 09-19-2013, 10:01 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

I would first recommend the easy stuff, and, like Chis mentioned, the idle mixture adjustment and then the idle speed adjustment. If this doesn't correct the problem, let us know. Also re-starting the engine may help if you open the throttle a bit with the right side lever. Once started, are you running with the spark [left] lever at about the 8:30-9:00 position ?

The guy I bought it from said to pull it all the way down after started. Is that wrong?

Duffy1 · 09-19-2013, 07:21 PM

Mine did the same thing and it was the idle jet clogged up . Carburetor guru in our club cleaned and sized all the jets . Unbelievable how much better it runs now .

Bob C · 09-19-2013, 10:20 PM

That's wrong, this is the owners manual. See "The Spark Control"

Bob

Mike V. Florida · 09-19-2013, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

That's wrong, this is the owners manual. See "The Spark Control"

Bob

Here is a link to an online version of the owners manual you can use until you buy your own.

http://www.motormayhem.net/mode-a-fo...owners-manual/

Mike V. Florida · 09-20-2013, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

That's wrong, this is the owners manual. See "The Spark Control"

Bob

Freak,

Here is a link to an online version of the owners manual you can use until you buy your own.

http://www.motormayhem.net/mode-a-fo...owners-manual/

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-20-2013, 12:08 AM

Chief always said to me, "If all else fails, READ the manual"!
He also said, "Buy you books, send you to school, & you still STUPID"! (Love you, DAD!) bILL w.

Patrick L. · 09-20-2013, 05:26 AM

Pulling the lever all the way down may not be your stalling problem, but, if the engine is timed correctly you'll find the engine will idle smoothly at about half position and roughly at full advance. Full advance is usually only used at highway speeds. I never use full advance, but, I'm not normal.

freak · 09-20-2013, 06:37 PM

Thanks everyone! I have found a printed owners manual! Appreciate the tips!

John Butts in CT · 09-20-2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freak

Thanks everyone! I have found a printed owners manual! Appreciate the tips!

Excelllent.

If you had bought your car new... whether you grew up driving horses, oxen, or a Model "T," you would have started with the owner's manual.

Still good advice.

Read the manual and drive!

freak · 09-20-2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Butts in CT

If you had bought your car new... whether you grew up driving horses, oxen, or a Model "T," you would have started with the owner's manual.

I'm a guy.

John Butts in CT · 09-20-2013, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freak

I'm a guy.

I didn't say "pull over and ask someone."

BILL WILLIAMSON · 09-20-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Butts in CT

Excelllent.

If you had bought your car new... whether you grew up driving horses, oxen, or a Model "T," you would have started with the owner's manual.

Still good advice.

Read the manual and drive!

John, Brilliant idea, All wives should come with a COMPREHENSIVE owner's manual, this l---------------l thick! Bill W.

09-19-2013, 06:35 AM	#1
freak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 457	stalls at stop after driving My 1930 A is new to me so I don't have any drivability history but here is my problem. After a drive of about 15 or so miles, occasionally when I pull up to a stop my engine will die. I can restart but takes it a little bit of cranking. During cranking I don't do anything other than set the spark retarded. It seems to me that it may be running rich and getting itself flooded out because I usually smell gas but don't know for sure that is it. I know this is all vague but if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it.

09-19-2013, 07:23 AM	#2
Chris in CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 272	Re: stalls at stop after driving Hi freak, Normally, this condition is caused by too lean a mixture on the idle circuit. The carburetor main nozzles can be too rich (you said you smell gas) but the car will still stall because of a too lean mixture coming out of the idle jet. You need to adjust the idle needle - not the idle position on the throttle shaft. Its counter-intuitive. Screwing the adjustment inward makes the mixture richer, outward makes it leaner. Start with 1 1/2 turns up from fully seated (screwed down - be gentle) and test the car, turn the screw inward until the car no longer stalls at stops. Happy Motoring!!!

09-19-2013, 07:41 AM	#3
freak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 457	Re: stalls at stop after driving Thank you very much!

09-19-2013, 08:56 AM	#4
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 934	Re: stalls at stop after driving Also, it is a good idea to check the carburetor float. An improperly adjusted float can also contribute to this problem. This is actually fairly common issue with Zenith Carbs, which partly explains the design change for the Model B in 1932. I found one habit that helps for me, I lift my foot off the gas and throw in the clutch well before I get to the stop sign. This allows the engine to wind down, and settle in, before I hit the brakes and everything in the carb sloshes to the front. Ken __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.

09-19-2013, 09:09 AM	#5
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: stalls at stop after driving I would first recommend the easy stuff, and, like Chis mentioned, the idle mixture adjustment and then the idle speed adjustment. If this doesn't correct the problem, let us know. Also re-starting the engine may help if you open the throttle a bit with the right side lever. Once started, are you running with the spark [left] lever at about the 8:30-9:00 position ?

09-19-2013, 07:21 PM	#7
Duffy1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mo. City , Texas Posts: 725	Re: stalls at stop after driving Mine did the same thing and it was the idle jet clogged up . Carburetor guru in our club cleaned and sized all the jets . Unbelievable how much better it runs now .

09-20-2013, 12:08 AM	#11
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: stalls at stop after driving Chief always said to me, "If all else fails, READ the manual"! He also said, "Buy you books, send you to school, & you still STUPID"! (Love you, DAD!) bILL w. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

09-20-2013, 05:26 AM	#12
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: stalls at stop after driving Pulling the lever all the way down may not be your stalling problem, but, if the engine is timed correctly you'll find the engine will idle smoothly at about half position and roughly at full advance. Full advance is usually only used at highway speeds. I never use full advance, but, I'm not normal.

09-20-2013, 06:37 PM	#13
freak Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 457	Re: stalls at stop after driving Thanks everyone! I have found a printed owners manual! Appreciate the tips!