The Ford Barn

JohninKuranda · 04-02-2016, 11:50 PM

I am finally seeing, I hope, light at the end of the tunnel with this chassis-up restoration. Since being reassembled it has been driven, once- just once. That time, it was apparent that the brakes were dragging - they have since since been adjusted. The car was then in the garage with the front pointed up the slight rise that is my driveway. After that once, I drove it front first into my garage.

Today was to be the day for testing every thing out. Car started like a dream after 4 weeks of my being away. To get to the road, I need to reverse up the driveway as there is no room for 3 point turn. Engine was running smoothly, no audible misses. The throttle and accelerator did what they should and revved up the engine. The spark advance was set mid way. Clutch engaged and car put in reverse. Reversed out okay but as soon as the incline started a total loss of power occurred. Engine power completely disappeared; motor almost stopped. No revving, no power. There is no sputtering, just a quick loss when under load from the gearbox. When I drove it out on the only other occasion the car was facing forward. In low gear, it made it up the rise okay - but there were many other things happening and I cannot remember where the spark was, how much throttle I used etc.

The timing was redone and checked just recently, as was the distributor. The carby was rebuilt- it's a Schebler.

I have tried to do a forum search but nothing seems relevant to my particular circumstances. Any suggestions from Fordbarners as to what the issue may be and where I need to go next? BTW, I have not checked the compression. Should I?

Many thanks
John

PS
I am a relative newbie to the wonder world of the Model A; but if it were my 1915 Model T I would look at adjusting the bands.

rocket1 · 04-03-2016, 10:30 AM

check carb fuel level or supply,sounds like you are running out of gas.

Patrick L. · 04-03-2016, 02:57 PM

It sounds to me like you may be running out of fuel also. How about trying back out again and when it starts to stall, park it, get out and see if there is fuel flow to the carburetor while the nose is low. If there isn't, there is the problem. If there is, then I'd recommend looking inside the carburetor.

29spcoupe · 04-03-2016, 05:46 PM

Is it possible that the clutch is slipping?

Patrick L. · 04-03-2016, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 29spcoupe

Is it possible that the clutch is slipping?

That was my thought also, but, he says the 'motor almost stopped'. So I started to think he meant the engine was trying to stall. We'll see what he has to say.

tbirdtbird · 04-03-2016, 10:23 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

the explanation of the symptoms leaves me bewildered. I honestly do not understand what he is trying to say other than that he has a bad driveway

JohninKuranda · 04-04-2016, 05:23 AM

I tried again this afternoon - and video'd the efforts so I could listen - hard to concentrate when trying to avoid the retaining wall. As soon as the car is on the incline, reversing, rather than on the flat in front of the garage, the motor just loses power and almost stalls. I agree that the issue is probably do do with fuel - will check the float level next weekend as well as check fuel supply (cleaning filters etc). Driveway is fine; save for a rather steep and sustain incline.

Cheers
John

tbirdtbird · 04-04-2016, 09:24 AM

so, on level ground the motor runs fine
On an incline, it wants to stall

yes agree to check float level

captndan · 04-04-2016, 10:14 AM

First check and clean the filter in the shut off valve housing if it has one. Clean out the fuel lines with something like carb cleaner. Replace any inline filters. Check the gas line fitting that goes into the carb. There might be a filter behind that fitting. All to be done before you pull the carb.

1931 flamingo · 04-04-2016, 06:46 PM

How much gas is in the tank??
Paul in CT

JohninKuranda · 04-04-2016, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

How much gas is in the tank??
Paul in CT

Paul,

Tank is half full of "new" petrol - checked by guage measurement and stick.

John

Brentwood Bob · 04-04-2016, 09:58 PM

Are the gas cap and the radiator cap reversed? take off the gas cap and try it again.
Do you have good fuel flow at the carb?
Bob

04-02-2016, 11:50 PM	#1
JohninKuranda Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Kuranda, Queensland Australia Posts: 186	Loss of power at drive engagement I am finally seeing, I hope, light at the end of the tunnel with this chassis-up restoration. Since being reassembled it has been driven, once- just once. That time, it was apparent that the brakes were dragging - they have since since been adjusted. The car was then in the garage with the front pointed up the slight rise that is my driveway. After that once, I drove it front first into my garage. Today was to be the day for testing every thing out. Car started like a dream after 4 weeks of my being away. To get to the road, I need to reverse up the driveway as there is no room for 3 point turn. Engine was running smoothly, no audible misses. The throttle and accelerator did what they should and revved up the engine. The spark advance was set mid way. Clutch engaged and car put in reverse. Reversed out okay but as soon as the incline started a total loss of power occurred. Engine power completely disappeared; motor almost stopped. No revving, no power. There is no sputtering, just a quick loss when under load from the gearbox. When I drove it out on the only other occasion the car was facing forward. In low gear, it made it up the rise okay - but there were many other things happening and I cannot remember where the spark was, how much throttle I used etc. The timing was redone and checked just recently, as was the distributor. The carby was rebuilt- it's a Schebler. I have tried to do a forum search but nothing seems relevant to my particular circumstances. Any suggestions from Fordbarners as to what the issue may be and where I need to go next? BTW, I have not checked the compression. Should I? Many thanks John PS I am a relative newbie to the wonder world of the Model A; but if it were my 1915 Model T I would look at adjusting the bands.

04-03-2016, 10:30 AM	#2
rocket1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midland Park,N.J. Posts: 1,108	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement check carb fuel level or supply,sounds like you are running out of gas.

04-03-2016, 02:57 PM	#3
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement It sounds to me like you may be running out of fuel also. How about trying back out again and when it starts to stall, park it, get out and see if there is fuel flow to the carburetor while the nose is low. If there isn't, there is the problem. If there is, then I'd recommend looking inside the carburetor.

04-03-2016, 05:46 PM	#4
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 762	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement Is it possible that the clutch is slipping?

04-03-2016, 10:23 PM	#6
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) the explanation of the symptoms leaves me bewildered. I honestly do not understand what he is trying to say other than that he has a bad driveway __________________ '31 180A

04-04-2016, 05:23 AM	#7
JohninKuranda Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Kuranda, Queensland Australia Posts: 186	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement I tried again this afternoon - and video'd the efforts so I could listen - hard to concentrate when trying to avoid the retaining wall. As soon as the car is on the incline, reversing, rather than on the flat in front of the garage, the motor just loses power and almost stalls. I agree that the issue is probably do do with fuel - will check the float level next weekend as well as check fuel supply (cleaning filters etc). Driveway is fine; save for a rather steep and sustain incline. Cheers John

04-04-2016, 09:24 AM	#8
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement so, on level ground the motor runs fine On an incline, it wants to stall yes agree to check float level __________________ '31 180A

04-04-2016, 10:14 AM	#9
captndan Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Tennessee Posts: 714	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement First check and clean the filter in the shut off valve housing if it has one. Clean out the fuel lines with something like carb cleaner. Replace any inline filters. Check the gas line fitting that goes into the carb. There might be a filter behind that fitting. All to be done before you pull the carb.

04-04-2016, 06:46 PM	#10
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement How much gas is in the tank?? Paul in CT

04-04-2016, 09:58 PM	#12
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,245	Re: Loss of power at drive engagement Are the gas cap and the radiator cap reversed? take off the gas cap and try it again. Do you have good fuel flow at the carb? Bob