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Old 05-04-2016, 03:42 PM   #1
bunnyc
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Default Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

'29 Tudor, '30 engine (stock), Zenith carb (new from Snyder's with 400+/- miles on it).
I needed a new muffler. Ordered one from Aries. Decided to also replace the manifold gasket.
Removed the carb, stored it upright. Removed the manifolds. Several days later assembled manifolds and mounted the carb.

Now I can't keep the engine running. If I pump the accelerator a couple times and pull out the choke with the GAV 3/4 turn open, it will run for 10 seconds, then stop. Like it's out of gas.

I don't understand what could have happened. I made no adjustments to the carb. It just sat on the shelf while waiting to be put back on.

Before, the car ran great and started within a couple revolutions of the engine.

I've taken the carb off and checked that the float is not stuck. Drained the bowl and see gas flowing through the sediment bowl to re-fill the carb.

Any suggestions are welcome.
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Old 05-04-2016, 03:55 PM   #2
Tom Endy
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

Since you had the manifolds off, I would look for an area around the intake manifold where air is being sucked in. Possibly a distorted gasket.

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Old 05-04-2016, 05:02 PM   #3
Gary WA
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

Did u turn the gas valve on? Just a thought! Goes up and down, not in line with valve!
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:14 PM   #4
mot
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

did you push the gas line too far into the carburetor?
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:15 PM   #5
1931 flamingo
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

Manifold(s) leak?? Are you sure the muffler is (was) clear before installation??
Fuel flow?? Fuel bowl not filling?? Please keep us in the loop.

Paul in CT
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:36 PM   #6
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary WA View Post
Did u turn the gas valve on? Just a thought! Goes up and down, not in line with valve!
Yes, gas valve is on (up and down)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mot View Post
did you push the gas line too far into the carburetor?
Fuel line was disconnected at the sediment bowl, only. Didn't remove fuel line from carb.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo View Post
Manifold(s) leak?? Are you sure the muffler is (was) clear before installation??
Fuel flow?? Fuel bowl not filling?? Please keep us in the loop.

Paul in CT
New muffler has not arrived. Starting w/o any muffler. Fuel bowl is filling.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Endy View Post
Since you had the manifolds off, I would look for an area around the intake manifold where air is being sucked in. Possibly a distorted gasket.

Tom Endy
Carefully checked gasket for alignment before installing manifolds. Trimmed excess gasket from valve cover gasket to make sure manifold gasket was flush with head. The manifold gasket is the two piece type that has holes that fit over the studs. Manifold nuts are not torqued - tight with 3/8 drive ratchet. Possibly not tight enough?
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:41 PM   #7
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

Did you replace the carb gasket where it meets the intake manifold? Are those bolts snug?
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Old 05-04-2016, 05:47 PM   #8
William Kelchner
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

I'm with MOT, having done this very same thing with identical results.. Cheers
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Old 05-04-2016, 06:00 PM   #9
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by bunnyc View Post
Yes, gas valve is on (up and down)



Fuel line was disconnected at the sediment bowl, only. Didn't remove fuel line from carb.



New muffler has not arrived. Starting w/o any muffler. Fuel bowl is filling.



Carefully checked gasket for alignment before installing manifolds. Trimmed excess gasket from valve cover gasket to make sure manifold gasket was flush with head. The manifold gasket is the two piece type that has holes that fit over the studs. Manifold nuts are not torqued - tight with 3/8 drive ratchet. Possibly not tight enough?
Could be pushed to far in the sediment bowl... Same set up as carb side
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Old 05-04-2016, 06:06 PM   #10
George Miller
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

Did you use gland rings. Sounds like a vacuum leak to me.
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Old 05-04-2016, 06:09 PM   #11
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

UPDATE: I decided to break out the torque wrench for the manifold nuts. Tightening to 25 ft/lb (about a half turn on the nut) there was improvement. The engine ran 30 sec or so before shutting down. I was using my normal starting procedure, not pumping the gas pedal.

Tightening further to 30 ft/lb got it running and starting normally.

Thank you all for your suggestions. It was very frustrating for me. Learned something from this. You guys are great!
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Old 05-04-2016, 06:14 PM   #12
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

Don't pump the accelerator, you will flood it for sure!
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Old 05-04-2016, 06:38 PM   #13
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

Don't worry about pumping the accelerator pedal. That won't flood the engine because there is no accelerator pump in the carburetor.
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Old 05-04-2016, 07:28 PM   #14
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

We tole you, those are BIG bolts, tighten them accordingly! I do them 55FT LBS, in stages.
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Old 05-04-2016, 07:32 PM   #15
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

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Don't worry about pumping the accelerator pedal. That won't flood the engine because there is no accelerator pump in the carburetor.
That's right! But the model A is VERY easy to flood by over choking.
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Old 05-05-2016, 05:21 PM   #16
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

yup, just wondering if any one else saw that.
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Old 05-05-2016, 07:43 PM   #17
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

My dad use to say; never put a new muffler on an old car, it will go bluuey for sure!
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Old 05-05-2016, 09:22 PM   #18
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Default Re: Mystery Fuel/Carb Problem

pumping the gas pedal on an A with an updraft carb will have no effect whatever.
There is no accel pump and even if there were the excess gas would just drain out the carb throat onto the ground.
As stated flooding comes from over-choking
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