The Ford Barn

Woodie1 · 05-10-2024, 11:25 AM

We have a 1939 Ford that dies when pulling out of our driveway. The incline of the drive to the road is not great but on first attempt the car dies. I don't know if I should blame the carb or fuel pump. The car is a rebuilt that I put on last year. The fuel pump is the one that came on the car when we got it 2 years ago.

drolston · 05-10-2024, 03:15 PM

Is it correct to assume that before pulling out you have the engine warmed up? If you pull the choke out just a bit for fast idle, does it still die?

When exiting the driveway, is the front of the car uphill or downhill?

Woodie1 · 05-10-2024, 03:34 PM

When I exit the drive I have the choke pushed in all the way. I probably only let it idle for a minute before leaving the drive. The car is headed up hill as it enters the road.

drolston · 05-10-2024, 05:13 PM

Try a bit more warming up and choke a bit for fast idle. If that does not take care of the problem we will need some more information. Like how easy does it restart after stalling? How does it run once you are on the road? Have you checked for vacume leaks, like the windshield wiper hose, etc?

Woodie1 · 05-10-2024, 08:15 PM

It starts back up quite easily & runs fine. It can be a bit hard to start when it's been sitting for a week. I have not looked for vacuum leaks.

JayChicago · 05-10-2024, 09:13 PM

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As already said, most engines want partial choke until warmed up. Don't push all the way in until after driving a bit.

Hard-to-start after sitting a week is normal. Gasoline evaporates out of the carburetor while sitting. Takes some cranking to re-fill the carb.

farmertom · 05-11-2024, 08:49 AM

Like Kube has said before, i too always pull choke all the way out after shutting down,to slow evap. Tom.

Woodie1 · 05-11-2024, 02:08 PM

I think I had heard about pulling the choke out after shutting the car off. I tend to forget things these days. I'm still getting used to driving the car.

JayChicago · 05-11-2024, 03:47 PM

Isn’t the carb’s air vent opening above the choke plate, so a closed choke shouldn’t do much to stop evaporation? Or am I missing something else?

farmertom · 05-11-2024, 06:34 PM

Kube suggested pulling choke out after puttin in the barn after ride.good enough for me. and i believe it works.not much effort,can't hurt. Tom.

05-10-2024, 11:25 AM	#1
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 475	Engine dies We have a 1939 Ford that dies when pulling out of our driveway. The incline of the drive to the road is not great but on first attempt the car dies. I don't know if I should blame the carb or fuel pump. The car is a rebuilt that I put on last year. The fuel pump is the one that came on the car when we got it 2 years ago.

05-10-2024, 03:15 PM	#2
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,636	Re: Engine dies Is it correct to assume that before pulling out you have the engine warmed up? If you pull the choke out just a bit for fast idle, does it still die? When exiting the driveway, is the front of the car uphill or downhill?

05-10-2024, 03:34 PM	#3
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 475	Re: Engine dies When I exit the drive I have the choke pushed in all the way. I probably only let it idle for a minute before leaving the drive. The car is headed up hill as it enters the road.

05-10-2024, 05:13 PM	#4
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,636	Re: Engine dies Try a bit more warming up and choke a bit for fast idle. If that does not take care of the problem we will need some more information. Like how easy does it restart after stalling? How does it run once you are on the road? Have you checked for vacume leaks, like the windshield wiper hose, etc?

05-10-2024, 08:15 PM	#5
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 475	Re: Engine dies It starts back up quite easily & runs fine. It can be a bit hard to start when it's been sitting for a week. I have not looked for vacuum leaks.

05-10-2024, 09:13 PM	#6
JayChicago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 745	Re: Engine dies Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) As already said, most engines want partial choke until warmed up. Don't push all the way in until after driving a bit. Hard-to-start after sitting a week is normal. Gasoline evaporates out of the carburetor while sitting. Takes some cranking to re-fill the carb.

05-11-2024, 08:49 AM	#7
farmertom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: iowa Posts: 145	Re: Engine dies Like Kube has said before, i too always pull choke all the way out after shutting down,to slow evap. Tom.

05-11-2024, 02:08 PM	#8
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 475	Re: Engine dies I think I had heard about pulling the choke out after shutting the car off. I tend to forget things these days. I'm still getting used to driving the car.

05-11-2024, 03:47 PM	#9
JayChicago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 745	Re: Engine dies Isn’t the carb’s air vent opening above the choke plate, so a closed choke shouldn’t do much to stop evaporation? Or am I missing something else?

05-11-2024, 06:34 PM	#10
farmertom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: iowa Posts: 145	Re: Engine dies Kube suggested pulling choke out after puttin in the barn after ride.good enough for me. and i believe it works.not much effort,can't hurt. Tom.