'51 F1, Engine is stalling
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 62
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From: Denver CO
'51 F1, Engine is stalling
I just bought a F1, 1951, three on the tree. I tried driving it around my block and about half way through the trip, the engine started chocking and came to a stop. I can start it again and it runs a bit, but the same thing happens again. I tried playing with the choke as well and it helps briefly. Any idea what I may be doing wrong? I have about a 1/2 tank of gas - new fuel.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 180
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From: St. Louis
My 49 had fuel problems from the tank all the way through the carb. I had to drain the tank and have it boiled and coated. You can check other threads about the different ways to this yourself or have it done. I chose to have it done at the local radiator shop. On my 49' there is a small valve on the bottom of the tank that has a very small orifice that is easily clogged. Again this is on a 49' I dont know how it differs from a 51'. Always start at the beginning I say. I'd plan on a carburetor rebuild as well. I added a little in line filter until I knew I had clean fuel.
Good luck
Good luck
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 62
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From: Denver CO
Good idea. I will check that. I also noticed that I had some smoke coming off the oil cap assembly. I looked that the oil level and it looked good. Clearly needs to be replaced but it looked like I had enough.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 1
From: Jamestown, IN
Sounds like a clogging problem to me. My grandads 51 did that. It would idle great, because it was able to pull just enough fuel through all the crap and then when he would try to drive it it would starve for gas. The tank was full of all kinds of crap.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Valparaiso, Indiana
I once had a 48 ford coupe when I was a kid, wish I still had it , oh well, anyways.I could drive it for a while, then it would quit. Like it was out of gas. Come to find out it had a bad coil. After it got hot, the coil, it would breakdown. I'd pull off the road and let it set a while then I was good to go until it got hot again. Changed the coil and no other problem. Just throwin it out there, Ernie
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 62
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From: Denver CO
Thanks for the suggestion.
Another question for everyone. Does anyone have an idea where I can find a diagram of 1951 V8 Flathead engine along with DESCRIPTIONS of what I am looking at. I trying to find my way around this engine.
Another question for everyone. Does anyone have an idea where I can find a diagram of 1951 V8 Flathead engine along with DESCRIPTIONS of what I am looking at. I trying to find my way around this engine.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
It sounds like fuel starvation. It's getting enough to idle but not enough to keep the carb bowl full.
So, either you have something plugging it partially (filter, fuel line, sediment in the tank); the fuel pump is shot; OR,,,,,,,
You gas tank is not venting and letting air in so the gas is held back.
First thing to try: Go for a drive with the gas cap off the tank.
Next filters. Then check the fuel pump pressure. Lastly, drain and clean the tank, replace the fuel lines.
So, either you have something plugging it partially (filter, fuel line, sediment in the tank); the fuel pump is shot; OR,,,,,,,
You gas tank is not venting and letting air in so the gas is held back.
First thing to try: Go for a drive with the gas cap off the tank.
Next filters. Then check the fuel pump pressure. Lastly, drain and clean the tank, replace the fuel lines.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 3
From: Morgan Hill, CA
Maybe you should've bought a '52...they worked out all those reliability problems!!!
The smoke coming from the oil cap is probably just some fumes from a little blow-by (combustion gasses that get past the piston rings). It is pretty normal. On newer cars the Positive Crankcase Vent (PCV) valve vents all of the gasses back to the carb so they literally get sucked out of the crankcase. On the older engines, the crankcase is vented with a "road draft tube", which is a pipe that vents the crankcase to the outside. Sometimes the pipe gets clogged up with goo, so check that out.
On your primary problem...Julie is spot on...your fuel filter is probably clogged enough to let enough gas through for idle, but at higher power settings, it runs out of gas. See if there has been a filter added somewhere in the fuel line. Post a pic of your fuel pump so we can see what type you have.
Dan
The smoke coming from the oil cap is probably just some fumes from a little blow-by (combustion gasses that get past the piston rings). It is pretty normal. On newer cars the Positive Crankcase Vent (PCV) valve vents all of the gasses back to the carb so they literally get sucked out of the crankcase. On the older engines, the crankcase is vented with a "road draft tube", which is a pipe that vents the crankcase to the outside. Sometimes the pipe gets clogged up with goo, so check that out.
On your primary problem...Julie is spot on...your fuel filter is probably clogged enough to let enough gas through for idle, but at higher power settings, it runs out of gas. See if there has been a filter added somewhere in the fuel line. Post a pic of your fuel pump so we can see what type you have.
Dan
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,291
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
For information on the engine and all the rest of the truck, I highly recommend the Parts CD sold by HiPo Parts, HiPo Parts Garage
This is also a valuable site:
Ford Flathead Engines
This is also a valuable site:
Ford Flathead Engines
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
I did put a new coil on my 49'. It was $20, thats cheap insurance. I would still bet on the fuel. I dont know about a 51', all I have is a sediment bowl with a screen. It will filter out the big stuff but that about it. The carb was so full of gunk it was a wonder that gas could get through. It would drive/stay running on flat ground but up or down a hill or if I tried to accelerate she would choke out and shut down.
Thats the nice thing about the classics, if you have a hot spark and good gas you can usually get the running.
Thats the nice thing about the classics, if you have a hot spark and good gas you can usually get the running.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
Maybe you should've bought a '52...they worked out all those reliability problems!!!
The smoke coming from the oil cap is probably just some fumes from a little blow-by (combustion gasses that get past the piston rings). It is pretty normal. On newer cars the Positive Crankcase Vent (PCV) valve vents all of the gasses back to the carb so they literally get sucked out of the crankcase. On the older engines, the crankcase is vented with a "road draft tube", which is a pipe that vents the crankcase to the outside. Sometimes the pipe gets clogged up with goo, so check that out.
On your primary problem...Julie is spot on...your fuel filter is probably clogged enough to let enough gas through for idle, but at higher power settings, it runs out of gas. See if there has been a filter added somewhere in the fuel line. Post a pic of your fuel pump so we can see what type you have.
Dan
The smoke coming from the oil cap is probably just some fumes from a little blow-by (combustion gasses that get past the piston rings). It is pretty normal. On newer cars the Positive Crankcase Vent (PCV) valve vents all of the gasses back to the carb so they literally get sucked out of the crankcase. On the older engines, the crankcase is vented with a "road draft tube", which is a pipe that vents the crankcase to the outside. Sometimes the pipe gets clogged up with goo, so check that out.
On your primary problem...Julie is spot on...your fuel filter is probably clogged enough to let enough gas through for idle, but at higher power settings, it runs out of gas. See if there has been a filter added somewhere in the fuel line. Post a pic of your fuel pump so we can see what type you have.
Dan
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 62
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From: Denver CO
Hi Julie-
Another question for you. In looking at the V8 Flat head, I am trying to better understand all of the components of the engine. As mentioned earlier, I have little experience (at this point) in working with these type of engines, I have a stupid question for you.
Above what I believe is the carb., it looks like a air filter. however, when I open it up, it has oil it in. In fact, it references an oil level. What am I looking at? Sorry for the dumb question.
Another question for you. In looking at the V8 Flat head, I am trying to better understand all of the components of the engine. As mentioned earlier, I have little experience (at this point) in working with these type of engines, I have a stupid question for you.
Above what I believe is the carb., it looks like a air filter. however, when I open it up, it has oil it in. In fact, it references an oil level. What am I looking at? Sorry for the dumb question.