The Ford Barn

calvin amerson · 02-23-2014, 09:03 AM

good morning all , nice day in southern louisana yesterday so I decided to take RedRyder out for a spin. filled radiator after sitting for the past 3 months, started fine,begin spitting and popping minor backfireing soon smoothed out backed out of shop ready to hit the road, problem #1 made it to the end of drive way, she died, dead battery, not enough rpm to enguage alternator, charged batt. away problem #2.short journey around the block everything fine, ok! now for something a little more taxing, down the road we go about 3 mi I noticed a popping , sound like an exhaust leak, home bound , after checking everything discovered exhaust leak on rear of #4. so being the hard head that I am got this idea that we hade a blown head gasket, so off came the head, not blown just an exhaust leak. problem #3 noticed that exhaust valves on #1-2-3 were a powerdery white,assumed to much heat checked plugs, normal, so what am I looking at guys do I have other problems or should I just clean it up, retime adjust the carb and pray for normalcy or should I look deeper , sorry no pics haven't mastered that skill as yet , one of you guys has an answer to these questions please lets hear form you.

James Rogers · 02-23-2014, 09:08 AM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Patrick L. · 02-23-2014, 09:11 AM

You made a lot of extra work for yourself didn't you. What the heck, we've all done it at some time.
Why not just put it back together. While fixing the exhaust leak, I'd recommend checking the valve lash while you're near there if it hasn't been done in awhile. Once the head is back on then a compression test can be done, even if just for peace of mind. Once the engine internals are OK, then its time to work to go to work on the operation problems, that is, if there are any.

Mitch//pa · 02-23-2014, 09:20 AM

i would now pull out some pistons drop the trans and rear end also. keep going till you find something

George Miller · 02-23-2014, 10:03 AM

number one rule. Do not take things apart until you have a good idea what is wrong. If it knocks short out the cylinders till the knock goes away or changes. Then you know what cylinders the knock comes from. If it stops check for a blue spark that will jump 1/8 of a inch, also check for gas flow. You can check for exhaust leak by spraying some marvel mystery oil in the carb, the smoke will show where it is leaking.
For every problem there is a way to check it before you take it apart. Take your time check it out and think about what it could be.

tbirdtbird · 02-23-2014, 10:13 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

if it ain't broke, fix it until it is

if it ran OK before you put her away for winter then how much could really be wrong

put it back together and run it. You do not have a diagnosis. Prolly nothing wrong except stale fuel.

jm29henry · 02-23-2014, 11:18 AM

What do you have to lose by replacing ex manifold gasket .Its cheep and easy to do at least try it and see how she runs. I bet she will be just fine she just missed spending time with you and just need a little love!!!!

Dick Deegan · 02-23-2014, 11:22 AM

Or, if it ain't broke fix it 'til it is!!

Brentwood Bob · 02-23-2014, 11:55 AM

Fix one thing at a time. diagnose the problem before you start. It is more fun to drive the car than look for things to go wrong. Enjoy the car. Your earned it. Bob

tbirdtbird · 02-23-2014, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Deegan

Or, if it ain't broke fix it 'til it is!!

haha I already said that...

ford3 · 02-23-2014, 01:05 PM

tan or white exhaust valves is ok, that means there not leaking, its when they are black that you have trouble, either burnt ot engine running to rich, you said the plugs looked good so i dont think its a fuel problem, you have an altenator on it , if your using a one wire alt it has to be wound up to 1000 or 1200 rpm to excite it, if its a one wire change alt to the 3 wire internally regulated one, they charge at idle, the 3 wire really for all practical purposes has only 2 wires, one from the ignition switch to exicite the alt, and one going to battery, the better way to go

J Franklin · 02-23-2014, 02:31 PM

Clean it up, lap the valves, check the clearances and check the planes with a straight edge. bolt it back together with new gaskets do not over-tighten the manifold nuts ( I like 35#). go for a ride.

James Rogers · 02-23-2014, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdtbird

haha I already said that...

And I think he already did.

02-23-2014, 10:03 AM	#5
George Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2,975	Re: problems = questions number one rule. Do not take things apart until you have a good idea what is wrong. If it knocks short out the cylinders till the knock goes away or changes. Then you know what cylinders the knock comes from. If it stops check for a blue spark that will jump 1/8 of a inch, also check for gas flow. You can check for exhaust leak by spraying some marvel mystery oil in the carb, the smoke will show where it is leaking. For every problem there is a way to check it before you take it apart. Take your time check it out and think about what it could be.

02-23-2014, 10:13 AM	#6
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: problems = questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) if it ain't broke, fix it until it is if it ran OK before you put her away for winter then how much could really be wrong put it back together and run it. You do not have a diagnosis. Prolly nothing wrong except stale fuel. __________________ '31 180A

02-23-2014, 11:18 AM	#7
jm29henry Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: michigan Posts: 1,126	Re: problems = questions What do you have to lose by replacing ex manifold gasket .Its cheep and easy to do at least try it and see how she runs. I bet she will be just fine she just missed spending time with you and just need a little love!!!!

02-23-2014, 11:22 AM	#8
Dick Deegan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 527	Re: problems = questions Or, if it ain't broke fix it 'til it is!!

02-23-2014, 11:55 AM	#9
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,234	Re: problems = questions Fix one thing at a time. diagnose the problem before you start. It is more fun to drive the car than look for things to go wrong. Enjoy the car. Your earned it. Bob

02-23-2014, 09:03 AM	#1
calvin amerson Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: covington la. Posts: 36	problems = questions good morning all , nice day in southern louisana yesterday so I decided to take RedRyder out for a spin. filled radiator after sitting for the past 3 months, started fine,begin spitting and popping minor backfireing soon smoothed out backed out of shop ready to hit the road, problem #1 made it to the end of drive way, she died, dead battery, not enough rpm to enguage alternator, charged batt. away problem #2.short journey around the block everything fine, ok! now for something a little more taxing, down the road we go about 3 mi I noticed a popping , sound like an exhaust leak, home bound , after checking everything discovered exhaust leak on rear of #4. so being the hard head that I am got this idea that we hade a blown head gasket, so off came the head, not blown just an exhaust leak. problem #3 noticed that exhaust valves on #1-2-3 were a powerdery white,assumed to much heat checked plugs, normal, so what am I looking at guys do I have other problems or should I just clean it up, retime adjust the carb and pray for normalcy or should I look deeper , sorry no pics haven't mastered that skill as yet , one of you guys has an answer to these questions please lets hear form you.

02-23-2014, 09:08 AM	#2
James Rogers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 3,104	Re: problems = questions If it ain't broke, don't fix it. __________________ http://www.model-a-ford-4bangers.com/

02-23-2014, 09:11 AM	#3
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: problems = questions You made a lot of extra work for yourself didn't you. What the heck, we've all done it at some time. Why not just put it back together. While fixing the exhaust leak, I'd recommend checking the valve lash while you're near there if it hasn't been done in awhile. Once the head is back on then a compression test can be done, even if just for peace of mind. Once the engine internals are OK, then its time to work to go to work on the operation problems, that is, if there are any.

02-23-2014, 09:20 AM	#4
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: problems = questions i would now pull out some pistons drop the trans and rear end also. keep going till you find something

02-23-2014, 01:05 PM	#11
ford3 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: oroville calif. Posts: 1,453	Re: problems = questions tan or white exhaust valves is ok, that means there not leaking, its when they are black that you have trouble, either burnt ot engine running to rich, you said the plugs looked good so i dont think its a fuel problem, you have an altenator on it , if your using a one wire alt it has to be wound up to 1000 or 1200 rpm to excite it, if its a one wire change alt to the 3 wire internally regulated one, they charge at idle, the 3 wire really for all practical purposes has only 2 wires, one from the ignition switch to exicite the alt, and one going to battery, the better way to go Last edited by ford3; 02-23-2014 at 01:11 PM.

02-23-2014, 02:31 PM	#12
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: problems = questions Clean it up, lap the valves, check the clearances and check the planes with a straight edge. bolt it back together with new gaskets do not over-tighten the manifold nuts ( I like 35#). go for a ride.