The Ford Barn

Cecil-Indiana · 10-17-2016, 07:32 PM

Help, it acts like it wants to start but stumbles. It has 2 Holley 94s, the dual point Mallory dist. was set by Bubba and I set the timing. Also checked each spark plug and am getting fire on all of them. Suggestions would be appreciated.
Only 5000 miles on a rebuild but haven't been run in 2 yrs.

RalphG · 10-17-2016, 08:05 PM

Not sure if you are still running six volts but I had to use a 12 volt battery for the initial startup after a 35 year "rest" on my 52. The slow cranking old six volt is ok when everything else is working but it needed a lot more cranking speed to get mine going. I only ran the 12 volts through the solenoid and starter leaving the six volt connected to the electrical and ignition system.

40cpe · 10-17-2016, 08:52 PM

Maybe you have done this: Re-check the plug wires for correct firing order. Recheck your initial timing and mark the position. Move the timing a little each way and see if it has any effect.

Getting fuel? Spray carb cleaner down the carbs, crank over.

It takes fuel, compression, and correctly timed ignition to run. If the other s fail, check compression. I doubt compression is the issue, though.

37 Cab · 10-17-2016, 08:54 PM

Fresh gas?

19Fordy · 10-18-2016, 09:29 AM

Disconnect fuel line at carb and see if fuel pump is pumping gas. If there's no gas check each component from the gas tank forward,including the tank. The tank is probably rusted and "junk" is plugging up the tank outlet.
If fuel pump is pumping you might have a stuck float.
When you accuate the accelerator pumps do you see gas squirting out of the jets in the carbs?
Carbs may need to be cleaned and rebuilt after 2 years of sitting.

Cecil-Indiana · 10-18-2016, 02:34 PM

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Tank is stainless. Haven't looked in carbs but did spray starter fluid and it still didn't fire. I'm wondering if my coil has gone bad. I get fire but I'm wondering if it is hot enough.

Cecil-Indiana · 10-18-2016, 02:36 PM

Gas is fresh !

Bob C · 10-18-2016, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecil-Indiana

Tank is stainless. Haven't looked in carbs but did spray starter fluid and it still didn't fire. I'm wondering if my coil has gone bad. I get fire but I'm wondering if it is hot enough.

You should get a nice blue spark that will jump at least 1/4".

Bob

Henry/Kokomo · 10-18-2016, 05:31 PM

You might try cleaning the points ,if you haven't already done so. They will develop a film that can contribute to a weak spark. Good luck!

Frank Miller · 10-19-2016, 08:33 AM

If it has not run in two years the rings may be dry and a little oil in the spark plug holes can get them working.

Mike51Merc · 10-19-2016, 03:34 PM

Any car that hasn't been run in 2 years probably needs the carbs cleaned and fuel lines flushed. Today's gas goes bad quick and you gotta get that nasty stuff out.

10-17-2016, 07:32 PM	#1
Cecil-Indiana Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Muncie, IN Posts: 72	50 Merc won't start Help, it acts like it wants to start but stumbles. It has 2 Holley 94s, the dual point Mallory dist. was set by Bubba and I set the timing. Also checked each spark plug and am getting fire on all of them. Suggestions would be appreciated. Only 5000 miles on a rebuild but haven't been run in 2 yrs.

10-17-2016, 08:05 PM	#2
RalphG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sask. Canada Posts: 2,619	Re: 50 Merc won't start Not sure if you are still running six volts but I had to use a 12 volt battery for the initial startup after a 35 year "rest" on my 52. The slow cranking old six volt is ok when everything else is working but it needed a lot more cranking speed to get mine going. I only ran the 12 volts through the solenoid and starter leaving the six volt connected to the electrical and ignition system. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/roosty6/videos

10-17-2016, 08:52 PM	#3
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,161	Re: 50 Merc won't start Maybe you have done this: Re-check the plug wires for correct firing order. Recheck your initial timing and mark the position. Move the timing a little each way and see if it has any effect. Getting fuel? Spray carb cleaner down the carbs, crank over. It takes fuel, compression, and correctly timed ignition to run. If the other s fail, check compression. I doubt compression is the issue, though.

10-17-2016, 08:54 PM	#4
37 Cab Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Miami Oklahoma Posts: 543	Re: 50 Merc won't start Fresh gas? __________________ Tommy

10-18-2016, 09:29 AM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,918	Re: 50 Merc won't start Disconnect fuel line at carb and see if fuel pump is pumping gas. If there's no gas check each component from the gas tank forward,including the tank. The tank is probably rusted and "junk" is plugging up the tank outlet. If fuel pump is pumping you might have a stuck float. When you accuate the accelerator pumps do you see gas squirting out of the jets in the carbs? Carbs may need to be cleaned and rebuilt after 2 years of sitting.

10-18-2016, 02:34 PM	#6
Cecil-Indiana Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Muncie, IN Posts: 72	Re: 50 Merc won't start Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Tank is stainless. Haven't looked in carbs but did spray starter fluid and it still didn't fire. I'm wondering if my coil has gone bad. I get fire but I'm wondering if it is hot enough.

10-18-2016, 02:36 PM	#7
Cecil-Indiana Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Muncie, IN Posts: 72	Re: 50 Merc won't start Gas is fresh !

10-18-2016, 05:31 PM	#9
Henry/Kokomo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kokomo, Indiana Posts: 1,731	Re: 50 Merc won't start You might try cleaning the points ,if you haven't already done so. They will develop a film that can contribute to a weak spark. Good luck! __________________ Henry

10-19-2016, 08:33 AM	#10
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: 50 Merc won't start If it has not run in two years the rings may be dry and a little oil in the spark plug holes can get them working. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

10-19-2016, 03:34 PM	#11
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: 50 Merc won't start Any car that hasn't been run in 2 years probably needs the carbs cleaned and fuel lines flushed. Today's gas goes bad quick and you gotta get that nasty stuff out.