Need tuning help with a flathead (car)
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Need tuning help with a flathead (car)
Am working on a 50 Ford tudor, original flattie and having a hard time figuring out a low power, stutter issue with it as well as a hard start issue. Not a truck, granted, but I am hoping you guys can help me out. I am not that familiar with these motors so looking for some expert advice. Carb, fuel pump have been rebuilt. Points, cap, rotor, wires, plugs,coil are recent. Vac diaphram seems to be working on dist. Actually have 2 issues.
First is that after the car has set for a period of time (basically cold start...whether a few hours or days) it doesn't want to start without a little shot of fuel directly into the carb. Once that is done, it fires and works fine with the manual choke.
Secondly, once warmed up the car acts like timing isn't advancing or carb is off somehow...acts like it is "restricted" and doesn't want to wind like it should, just kinda lays there. Not extreme (no backfire through the carb or anything, just laying way down).
This was my Dad's last toy before he died and am trying to get it respectable as a driver. No hot rod, just a nice basically stock driver. Please help. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
First is that after the car has set for a period of time (basically cold start...whether a few hours or days) it doesn't want to start without a little shot of fuel directly into the carb. Once that is done, it fires and works fine with the manual choke.
Secondly, once warmed up the car acts like timing isn't advancing or carb is off somehow...acts like it is "restricted" and doesn't want to wind like it should, just kinda lays there. Not extreme (no backfire through the carb or anything, just laying way down).
This was my Dad's last toy before he died and am trying to get it respectable as a driver. No hot rod, just a nice basically stock driver. Please help. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Now that you mention it, adding part choke does seem to help out a little bit but doesn't cure it entirely. Lines to the dist (hard line) and soft line to wipers seems fine. Any other areas I should look at (other than carb base mount and the usual suspect intake manifold, etc on most engines)? Thought float setting was right when the rebuild was done but have always wondered with the hard start issue. May need to tear it apart and recheck. Any other ideas?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 1
From: St. Paul, MN
me too!
Mike,
Thanks for posting, I am in a similar situation, except mine is an old truck. I inherited it from my Dad last year and now I am trying to get her running.
I will be watching what advice you get in this thread and trying what applies to me. I am another flathead newbie.
Thanks for posting, I am in a similar situation, except mine is an old truck. I inherited it from my Dad last year and now I am trying to get her running.
I will be watching what advice you get in this thread and trying what applies to me. I am another flathead newbie.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Cap the connection at the manifold for the wipers. The line to the distributor is fine to leave connected. See if it runs better. If not, with it idling, take an UNLIT propane torch, open it a fair amount (not too much), and run the nozzle along the manifold surfaces, and at the base of the carb. When it smooths out, you'll know where the leak is.
This car doesn't have an automatic by any chance?
This car doesn't have an automatic by any chance?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Cap the connection at the manifold for the wipers. The line to the distributor is fine to leave connected. See if it runs better. If not, with it idling, take an UNLIT propane torch, open it a fair amount (not too much), and run the nozzle along the manifold surfaces, and at the base of the carb. When it smooths out, you'll know where the leak is.
This car doesn't have an automatic by any chance?
This car doesn't have an automatic by any chance?
). I do appreciate the input alot...have always preached check the basics to anyone asking me for advice...sounds like I should listen!Keep em comin all..and thanks again!
Trending Topics
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Mike,
Thanks for posting, I am in a similar situation, except mine is an old truck. I inherited it from my Dad last year and now I am trying to get her running.
I will be watching what advice you get in this thread and trying what applies to me. I am another flathead newbie.
Thanks for posting, I am in a similar situation, except mine is an old truck. I inherited it from my Dad last year and now I am trying to get her running.
I will be watching what advice you get in this thread and trying what applies to me. I am another flathead newbie.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Jim....glad you are onboard! Feel free to post what you have ??? on too...we can help each other out (with the help of these fine gentlemen). Again, thanks guys for all...it is great to have a sight where we can help each other out and keep a great icon motor alive and kickin! I am pretty well versed on the SBF and my brother is pushing hard to just swap one...but I want the flattie in it alive and well but be forewarned...once we get it sorted out..I might just want to ask stupid questions about Stromberg 97's (?), Edelbrock heads, Smitty mufflers, 12V conversions, full-racer cam's, etc! Nah, nothing too fancy..but headers and some good sounding duals (man do those motors sound awesome when it is right), dumped a bit in the butt, get the skirts back on, hmmmm.....first thing first.
How about some pictures?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, ME
Have you checked to see that it's actually advancing the timing using a timing light? Also the distributor if I remember correct takes the "ported" vacuum so you need to be sure it's hooked up correctly.
Not wanting to fire cold almost sounds like the carb is possibly leaking down inside, maybe a bad power valve letting the fuel bowl empty out. Let it sit a day or so and then take off one of the bowl plugs that you remove to take the jets out, and see if much gas drains out.
Not wanting to fire cold almost sounds like the carb is possibly leaking down inside, maybe a bad power valve letting the fuel bowl empty out. Let it sit a day or so and then take off one of the bowl plugs that you remove to take the jets out, and see if much gas drains out.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Have you checked to see that it's actually advancing the timing using a timing light? Also the distributor if I remember correct takes the "ported" vacuum so you need to be sure it's hooked up correctly.
Not wanting to fire cold almost sounds like the carb is possibly leaking down inside, maybe a bad power valve letting the fuel bowl empty out. Let it sit a day or so and then take off one of the bowl plugs that you remove to take the jets out, and see if much gas drains out.
Not wanting to fire cold almost sounds like the carb is possibly leaking down inside, maybe a bad power valve letting the fuel bowl empty out. Let it sit a day or so and then take off one of the bowl plugs that you remove to take the jets out, and see if much gas drains out.