[H. L. Chauvin]

Thanks for your detailed description -- sounds like you have had some good advice thus far; however, what you describe sounds familiar with almost "any" vintage gasoline engine today.


One thing for sure, as opposed to voodoo, your Model A has something "unique" that others do not have -- just need patience to diagnosis it.

1. Diagnostic Test: Please try this "exactly" as spelled out below:


a. When engine sputters & "kills", (dead as a door nail), be prepared, already having a spark plug wrench and an assistant to stay in the car.


b. First, turn switch to "OFF" & "immediately" choke engine that won't start & allow engine to rotate about 15 revolutions with choke pulled. Hurry, because in 10 minutes according to your description, everything will be normal.


c. Next, immediately raise hood, immediately remove all four (4) plugs quickly to see if they are "wet" with fuel; & immediately ground & lay all four plugs on their sides, then turn switch to "ON" & have someone hit starter to see if all four plugs are firing.


d. If plugs were observed "not" to be wet, definite "fuel" problem; & if no fire at plugs, definite electrical problem. At least one can observe whether one has an electrical or fuel problem.


2. Electrical Possibilities: Coils & condensers used to almost last forever when made by Ford in America -- I have several old ones that look terrible with rust & corrosion; but, they still work -- today's foreign assembled or foreign made coils for vintage engines do not last as long. When either the coil or condenser heats up in use, some cease to function; but, after cooling off they begin to work again. As odd as this may appear, in "rare" cases, already experienced a "new" coil right off of the shelf that failed. Rather than commit suicide, if it were mine, (& would not have equipment to test same when hot), I would spend the less than $20.00 to try to eliminate this "rare" possibility & get another "new" coil & condenser. If that does not work, at least you are still living & can try the other fuel suggestion below.


3. Fuel Possibilities: Tank sealer? Your tank sealer may have worked in the past, but now we have ethanol in the fuel which can dissolve many older tank sealing materials. The big visible flakes you saw are noteworthy; but look at the orifice in a carburetor jet to determine how small a particle can cause an obstruction. One can buy 100% gasoline without ethanol at some stations, but on tour, one may not have this opportunity. Again, before suicide, take the screen out of the tank which can get clogged with dislodged tank sealer & try a NAPA 3039 fuel filter in the sediment bowl.

Hope this helps.