Car quits

[Woodie1]

We have a 1930 Tudor that the engine was recently rebuilt on. We have a little over 500 miles on the engine & sometimes when we come to a stop the engine quits. The only change made to the carb was a float needle because the carb was spewing gas bad at a stop. We did not have this issue before the rebuild & I'm thinking that the engine is still too tight. Any thoughts?

[Hook]

Will it start right up after it quits? Do you have to pull the choke to restart? What if you set the throttle up a notch or two so the idle is faster when stopping? I had the same problem but had multiple problems.

[Jim/GA]

After replacing the carb float needle valve, did you reset the float height (fuel level) to 1"? Stalling when stopping is often times due to float (fuel) level too high (not too low, as many think).

Also check your point gap in your distributor. New engine, so I assume new points. A new cam follower wears down fairly quickly with use until the edge gets burnished. (You did grease the cam, right?) Reset the point gap and grease the cam again lightly.

The best way to see if engine is still tight is with your hand crank (key off, just turn engine over).

[Jacksonlll]

An air leak in the intake system could cause this. The manifold, it's gasket, or the joint between the carb and the manifold.

[Woodie1]

I have been running with the idle a little faster than I would like. I haven't checked the points in the last 100 miles or so. I will have to do that. I don't think I have any gasket leaks but will check the bolts for tightness as well. Thanks for the ideas guys. Hope it settles down soon. I can turn it over with the hand crank without much trouble. It's time to retorque the head nuts as well.

[Jacksonlll]

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Your higher idle is covering up some extra air that is getting in somewhere.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

With a Zenith, if you have GOOD brakes, it's common to stall, on a QUICK stop. The fuel sloshes & screws it up. That's why Dear Ol' Henry re-designed it.
When runnin' around in traffic, jist leave your throttle lever down a couple of notches.
Bill Screech

[Woodie1]

I retorqued the head & the manifold studs. Reset the point gap & lubed the cam. Found the manifold clamp bolts a bit loose. Tightened them. Noticed more dirt in the sediment bulb, will remove that when the manifold & muffler cool down. Did not find any leaks in the vacuum line from the firewall to the manifold. Still have to check from wiper to firewall. The engine is stiffer than first thought.