The Ford Barn - View Single Post - A Newbie Question: My A starts right up but dies after a few seconds.... ideas?

John Butts in CT · 08-30-2010, 03:29 PM

An earlier poster hinted at this, but I have to share a suspicion that there may be an electrical problem, too. read on:

(1) Be sure that you have a dependable flow of fuel to the carb.

(2) Don't forget to clean out all of the carb's internal passages. (For now. just blow them out in both directions with your air compressor.)

(3) Even with poor fuel flow, a carb full of gas should allow your "A" to start and idle for more than a "few seconds." So, if you still have a problem, check the pigtail wire in your distributor. A frayed wire may allow you to start with the spark retarded, but short out when you move the spark lever down, causing the engine to die a "few seconds" after starting.

Let us know how you make out.

08-30-2010, 03:29 PM	#12
John Butts in CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Posts: 464	Re: A Newbie Question: My A starts right up but dies after a few seconds.... ideas? An earlier poster hinted at this, but I have to share a suspicion that there may be an electrical problem, too. read on: (1) Be sure that you have a dependable flow of fuel to the carb. (2) Don't forget to clean out all of the carb's internal passages. (For now. just blow them out in both directions with your air compressor.) (3) Even with poor fuel flow, a carb full of gas should allow your "A" to start and idle for more than a "few seconds." So, if you still have a problem, check the pigtail wire in your distributor. A frayed wire may allow you to start with the spark retarded, but short out when you move the spark lever down, causing the engine to die a "few seconds" after starting. Let us know how you make out.