The Ford Barn

Gary/IA · 06-29-2022, 08:33 AM

PROBLEM: When after a short stop for fuel or dining, the engine will start

at the touch of the starter but after going about half a block the

engine dies for lack of fuel. 1929 Special Coupe. 12Volt.

SITUATION: When engine is cold it starts and runs without a problem.
Always use NON alcohol gas and MMO added.
After engine dies, it will start up and run perfect until the
next pit stop and then a repeat of the same problem.
It acts exactly as if you forgot to turn on the gas.
Choking will make the engine catch a little but then dies.

ACTIONS: Checked for gas flow to carburator - Excellent flow
Gas tank clean and never sealed, pencil filter installed.
Three good carburetors tried - problem still exists.
Insulated steel gas line - no help.
Replaced steel gas line with rubber gas line - no help.
Installed heat shield around carb - no help.
Removed gas cap - no help.
Happens on cool days and hot days.
Never happens when engine is started cold.

Suggestions needed.

old ugly · 06-29-2022, 08:44 AM

if you have tried three different carbs, and you have good constant gas flow to the carb. my guess is you have an electrical problem.
1st- i would take the fuel line off of the carb, direct it into a bucket, turn on the tap and just let it run, see if it slows down, (maybe a floating blockage in the system acting like a shut off valve). if the gas flow doesn't stop then.
2nd- when it dies i would check the spark. i have had coils that when they heat up they will cut out. maybe try a second coil.
3rd- try a new condenser or test the condenser.

DHZIEMAN · 06-29-2022, 09:24 AM

Check the coil and point gap! Could be a heat issue with points and a borderline defective coil! Don't think it would be the condenser as they are either good or bad!

Rob Doe · 06-29-2022, 03:52 PM

x2 all of the above. Check for loose connections insiide the terminal box and the coil + and - posts. I've had my points ground out due to a worn rub block/cam follower.

arnhemmer · 06-29-2022, 03:55 PM

Possibly the condensor failing?

nkaminar · 06-29-2022, 05:34 PM

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I am going to go with the heat related electrical problem. Perhaps the coil. Easy to test. Buy a can of the component cooler used in electronics to find a part that is failing due to heat, or use some ice on the coil. Or just hold the coil high tension wire about 1/4 inch from the block to test for a spark.

Mulletwagon · 06-30-2022, 07:34 AM

Maybe an electrical connection breaking down when it warms up due to increasing resistance. Might check coil voltage with a meter before and after the problem starts. Interesting caper - please share the fix.

06-29-2022, 08:33 AM	#1
Gary/IA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ellston, Iowa Posts: 247	Starved for fuel PROBLEM: When after a short stop for fuel or dining, the engine will start at the touch of the starter but after going about half a block the engine dies for lack of fuel. 1929 Special Coupe. 12Volt. SITUATION: When engine is cold it starts and runs without a problem. Always use NON alcohol gas and MMO added. After engine dies, it will start up and run perfect until the next pit stop and then a repeat of the same problem. It acts exactly as if you forgot to turn on the gas. Choking will make the engine catch a little but then dies. ACTIONS: Checked for gas flow to carburator - Excellent flow Gas tank clean and never sealed, pencil filter installed. Three good carburetors tried - problem still exists. Insulated steel gas line - no help. Replaced steel gas line with rubber gas line - no help. Installed heat shield around carb - no help. Removed gas cap - no help. Happens on cool days and hot days. Never happens when engine is started cold. Suggestions needed.

06-29-2022, 08:44 AM	#2
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Starved for fuel if you have tried three different carbs, and you have good constant gas flow to the carb. my guess is you have an electrical problem. 1st- i would take the fuel line off of the carb, direct it into a bucket, turn on the tap and just let it run, see if it slows down, (maybe a floating blockage in the system acting like a shut off valve). if the gas flow doesn't stop then. 2nd- when it dies i would check the spark. i have had coils that when they heat up they will cut out. maybe try a second coil. 3rd- try a new condenser or test the condenser. __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."

06-29-2022, 09:24 AM	#3
DHZIEMAN Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Sunrise Beach, Mo Posts: 439	Re: Starved for fuel Check the coil and point gap! Could be a heat issue with points and a borderline defective coil! Don't think it would be the condenser as they are either good or bad!

06-29-2022, 03:52 PM	#4
Rob Doe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 491	Re: Starved for fuel x2 all of the above. Check for loose connections insiide the terminal box and the coil + and - posts. I've had my points ground out due to a worn rub block/cam follower. __________________ "It ain't what you know for certain that gets ya in trouble. It's what ya know for certain that just ain't so!"

06-29-2022, 03:55 PM	#5
arnhemmer Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Jose California Posts: 150	Re: Starved for fuel Possibly the condensor failing?

06-29-2022, 05:34 PM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Starved for fuel Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I am going to go with the heat related electrical problem. Perhaps the coil. Easy to test. Buy a can of the component cooler used in electronics to find a part that is failing due to heat, or use some ice on the coil. Or just hold the coil high tension wire about 1/4 inch from the block to test for a spark. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 06-29-2022 at 05:53 PM.

06-30-2022, 07:34 AM	#7
Mulletwagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 585	Re: Starved for fuel Maybe an electrical connection breaking down when it warms up due to increasing resistance. Might check coil voltage with a meter before and after the problem starts. Interesting caper - please share the fix.