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1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running I have a 1955 Tbird with 292ci, 3 speed trans, that won't keep running. It starts great, idles fine but when you drive it or just rev it up it will die within 30 to 45 seconds. It has a new Holley (4R203). I have adjusted the floats, air/fuel screw. The fuel filter is clear and I even removed it once to see that was the problem, but no change. It has an electric fuel pump. I think I have ruled out fuel as the issue. When it dies, it will start right up and run for another minute or so. The ignition wires are fairly new. I am wondering if the problem is the condenser? Any suggestions?
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Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running It sounds like fuel delivery but a person should check the vacuum advance can to make sure it still works. They are a Load-O-Matic system that works with the carburetor to function advance and load control.
The fuel delivery could be anything from fuel cap venting or crud in the tank or lines to a fuel pump problem or crud in the carburetor. The idle circuit is stand alone and it sounds OK. The accelerator pump or the medium to high speed fuel passages could be partially blocked or otherwise insufficient to flow fuel. The power valve may also have problems or blockage. Check easy thing first. Fuel pressure should be checked to see if the pump and tankage is working. Look in the throat of the carb and see if the accelerator pump is working. If all that works then it's likely in the carb. |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running 1 Attachment(s)
6 volt or 12 volt?
If it's been converted to 12v was a ballast resistor put in the Red/green power wire to the ignition coil? Or was the coil changed for one with an internal resistor? What distributor does it have? The original or something else? . |
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When a car shuts off, you immediately pull off and determine if it is fuel delivery or fire. That will narrow the problem. What DIST type and what style of electric fuel pump and plumbing? |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running 3 Attachment(s)
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Photo 1 below... an original '55 (or '56) vacuum operated Loadomatic distributor is pressure matched to the original Holley 4000 'teapot' carburetor. The timing advance curve built in to the oem distributor won't function properly connected to a newer carburetor. The vacuum levels are all wrong. (photo 3) At idle it won't be noticeable but after that you'll get uneven performance. The distributor should be updated to one that's '57+ also. . |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running dmsfrr, that's really good information and sounds like it might be renobill's problem. As an aside, as a relative '56 T Bird newby, it's amazing to me the changes from '55 to '56 to '57 and how many things are not compatible!!
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Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running Could very well be a ignition problem. Condensers have been a real problem in the past and don't know if there are any good ones on the market anymore. When cool they may work, when hot, they fail.
Coil could be a problem as well. |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running The 4R203 for the new carburetor doesn't come up on a basic search. The original carb would be one of the ECJ-9510 types according to Holley List Numbers. As previously mentioned, any other carburetor outside of the originzl OEM types will not properly function the distributor advance. They are a matched set from FoMoCo/Holley. A person can go with an aftermarket type distributor that is all mechanical but it is still possible to find the 1957 and later 292 V8 carb and distributor equipment that will work. The old Mallory types were all mechanical but they had no load control. They were made more for performance so better fuel mileage wasn't a consideration for the folks that used them. Good original Mallory types are fewer and farther between than they used to be.
A bad condenser is a possibility but a non working ignition advance system also has to be dealt with. The coil and ballast resistor (if so equipped with 12-volt) can have heat related problems as well. I still use NAPA Echlin ignition components with relatively good luck. |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running I met a lady that had some spare parts (from her deceased husband) including a tea pot replacement carb from Ford. It had an unusual number, not the ones we usually see for a teapot. it was in a Ford box. It was a couple of years ago and I can't find the info I had on it.
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Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running 3 Attachment(s)
Thanks for all the great information. I should have posted originally that it has a modern Holley carb, pointless distributor, electric fuel pump. I have posted some pictures as additional information. I am thinking again it is fuel delivery. I installed a clear view fuel filter and watched as I rev'd the RPMs to 2000 and it appears that the fuel level in the filter really dorps off. I am now going to look at the fuel line between the tank and electric fuel pump. I am having a hard time trying to add the pictures so will keep trying.
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Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running 1 Attachment(s)
An additional picture of a grey wire with a spade connector on it going nowhere and it comes out of the distributor.
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Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running Do you have a “sock” in the tank that is clogged or rusted. That’s exactly how my ‘62 would act when the pickup sock clogged up.
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Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running The electric pump should be back at the tank to work as designed. Far more efficient pushing than "pulling".
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That position will also cause blend separation and vapor lock. There must be a filter before and after an electric pump. You need to use a pressure/volume gauge to see what the pressure/volume is to the carb. The GM STYLE HEI DIST, it requires a full 12V supply (as does the electric fuel pump), no resistor. I see a ballast resistor mounted on the fender apron. Do you have a compatible internal resistor coil? Fuel pump manufacturer and PN? |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running Referring to your second photo in reply # 11 above...
Double check the installation instructions for the electronic distributor. Most of them require full 12 volts to operate correctly. If power is routed thru the ballast resistor a lower than recommended voltage to the module may cause it to 'drop out' unexpectedly. |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running Looking at the wiring and the fuel line routing, I can see why you have problems. The fuel pump is mounted all wrong, s/b near the tank as a pusher. The fuel line from the tank (stock tank?) is on the left side and and the pump on the right inner fender . Why is that ?
You should sort out all the wires, you really need a new harness and redo the fuel lines..Assuming you 55 is 12V negative ground, get a 56 replacement harness if you want it stock looking. Have you taken the gas cap off when the engine quit " If so, did you get a whoooosh when you did? This indicates an unvented tank., probably a bad cap . TBirds had vented caps, no other vent. |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running Keeps sounding like an echo chamber in here, all keep posting duplicate diagnostics.
Where he has the fuel delivery line(s) (side) makes no difference. What does is the extravagant use of rubber (ethanol rated?) line. Talk about a firestorm that is about to happen. |
Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running You guys are really good. This is the place to go to get really good advice. My problem was fuel. The car has a new fuel tank and the copper tubing line to the engine runs on the passenger side. I added another electric fuel pump in line and the car runs great. I will reposition the proper size electric fuel pump near the tank, and we should be good. Thanks for all your help.
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Re: 1955 Thunderbird 292 won't keep running Check your fuel pressure. You might have too much pressure.
This seems to be the deal with aftermarket carbs and either mechanical or electric pump. Check to see what the carb requires. Then check to see what your pump is putting out. If you have issues find a regulator and route back to the tank. Two pumps was the fix if I'm reading it right? Either way, either add an oil pressure cut off so it dousent keep pumping if the engine stalls or a return line for excess fuel. |
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