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Old 11-17-2016, 05:52 PM   #1
Rob Rose
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Default 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

I have had this car for two weeks and I am new to Model A's. Today the adjusting rod doesn't turn. Yesterday I was able to turn it clockwise to seat it and counter clockwise. The car starts and runs, but it seems like the mixture is rich. The choke operation in and out works fine.

Any suggestions?

Last edited by Rob Rose; 11-17-2016 at 09:47 PM.
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Old 11-17-2016, 06:24 PM   #2
Big hammer
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

Under your hood where the rod attaches to the carb, there should be a sleeve over the joint with a spring pushing it down. Check parts suppliers online catalogs for pictures! :-)
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Old 11-17-2016, 06:50 PM   #3
Art Newland
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

Sometimes the knob will strip out, knob turns the shaft doesn't...
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Old 11-17-2016, 06:54 PM   #4
Mitch//pa
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

Actually on the repos the knob unscrews from the rod.... i usually locktite them on
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Old 11-17-2016, 08:21 PM   #5
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

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Originally Posted by Mitch//pa View Post
Actually on the repos the knob unscrews from the rod.... i usually locktite them on
That happened to me when I first got my car. I thought I was adjusting the gas mixture, but I was only spinning a lose knob. I used Locktite also.
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Old 11-17-2016, 09:01 PM   #6
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

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Old 11-17-2016, 09:42 PM   #7
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

Hey! Beaufort here.
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Old 11-17-2016, 09:42 PM   #8
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

In my case the knob isn't turning at all.
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Old 11-17-2016, 10:42 PM   #9
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

maybe overtightened?
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Old 11-18-2016, 12:53 AM   #10
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

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maybe overtightened?
I agree, that's what it sounds like. They should be very lightly turned closed, then opened to where it runs best.

If it's a repro knob, then I do the same as Mitch, Loctite it.
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Old 11-18-2016, 01:17 AM   #11
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

I've always heard that its not a wind up toy, get the thing set where it runs good and leave it alone. Then only adjust for long hills or the difference between summer and winter. Theres no reason to turn it closed every time you park.
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Old 11-18-2016, 01:36 AM   #12
Chuck Sea/Tac
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

Pull the rod in the engine compartment to take the sleeve off and separate the rod from the piece sticking out of the carb. Now you can verify what's stuck. If the rod in the carb is stuck,you could try penatrate like areo kroil ect, to help start the separation process.
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Old 11-18-2016, 07:40 AM   #13
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

this makes sense
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Old 11-18-2016, 08:08 AM   #14
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

The GAV on my '30 is really, really hard to turn. It is so tight that I swore it was fully closed all summer (while also trying to figure out why the car was running way too rich), but eventually I found out that it was still nearly a full turn open. I've had the whole thing apart twice down by the carb, and everything seems fine and turns easily when apart, but when it gets put back together I have to use a ridiculous amount of force to get it to turn inside the car. I still haven't figured it out. But, at least for now, I finally know where closed is and now I just kinda keep it about 1/4 open all the time so I don't need to mess with it much, and the car runs a lot better now. Eventually, it would be nice to figure out what's wrong with it (and I also don't want to break it by having to crank on it so hard).
Is there something inside this mechanism that should be lubricated to make it turn easier?
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Old 11-18-2016, 08:37 AM   #15
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

Take it apart, really easy, and find out what makes it tick. There is not much in there. All you are doing is moving a needle valve in and out. Some pliers will help you figure it out.
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Old 11-18-2016, 11:23 AM   #16
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

I have removed the GAV to take out the needle and apply a very light coating of anti-seize to the needle. Then work it in by turning while out of the carb body. Then back off the needle and re-install. Worked for me for years.
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Old 11-18-2016, 11:30 AM   #17
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

I seem to remember long ago that I ran a die over needle threads to free up a fit that was too snug but sure don't remember the size and pitch description.
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Old 11-18-2016, 11:58 AM   #18
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

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I seem to remember long ago that I ran a die over needle threads to free up a fit that was too snug but sure don't remember the size and pitch description.
Good point. I do seem to recall some of the repro parts had a poor thread fit. Might try another needle if you don't have the right die for the thread.
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Old 11-18-2016, 01:25 PM   #19
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

Could it be one of the needles made some years back that the shank that the end of the housing pinched on that was too large and you needed to remove the ring on the housing so the needle could freely turn in the housing. Not recommending this because the ring keeps the needle from changing on its own but if it helps in this case.
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Old 11-18-2016, 05:58 PM   #20
Rob Rose
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Default Re: 1931 Tudor. Carburetor adjusting rod not turning

I tried turning it hard counter clockwise and nothing. I think I will try 100IH suggestion tomorrow.
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