The Ford Barn

Chris · 08-11-2016, 11:05 AM

Hello, I've been driving my "new to me" 1946 coupe for he past couple months nearly everyday. It runs very good, but just seems to lack a lot of power. I bought the car with the understanding that the engine is tired and will need to be addressed. I also talked to two past owners (back to the 60's in the case) and both asked me if I've fixed the engine yet. So it seems that this car has notoriously had a sour engine.

It runs great, always starts, does not smoke. It is stock aside from headers and dual exhaust. It seems very faithful and reliable, so I've been driving it like crazy. Last night I decided to do a compression test, and the readings actually surprised me

This is cranking with 6V as well. I expected them to be a lot lower. Also, all 8 plugs look great having a nice brown center. Now I'm starting to wonder why the engine runs so "tired". It has a slight miss at higher RPM's occasionally, otherwise it runs good but just does not have a lot of steam. Can anyone think of anything that may be holding it back?

It has all new tune up components, distributor by Bubba (fully advanced), rebuilt Holley carb. I have not peeked inside the engine. The guy who bought it in the 60's told me the engine was stuck when he got it. I assumed it broke the rings when he "drug it until it freed up" and it had low compression...but without burning oil and decent compression readings I'm now re-thing that. Odometer shows just over 50,000 miles. No idea if that is original or not, but the car is a nice old car.

Anyone have any ideas?

08-11-2016, 11:05 AM	#1
Chris Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 2,976	Questions on 1946 flathead engine readings Hello, I've been driving my "new to me" 1946 coupe for he past couple months nearly everyday. It runs very good, but just seems to lack a lot of power. I bought the car with the understanding that the engine is tired and will need to be addressed. I also talked to two past owners (back to the 60's in the case) and both asked me if I've fixed the engine yet. So it seems that this car has notoriously had a sour engine. It runs great, always starts, does not smoke. It is stock aside from headers and dual exhaust. It seems very faithful and reliable, so I've been driving it like crazy. Last night I decided to do a compression test, and the readings actually surprised me This is cranking with 6V as well. I expected them to be a lot lower. Also, all 8 plugs look great having a nice brown center. Now I'm starting to wonder why the engine runs so "tired". It has a slight miss at higher RPM's occasionally, otherwise it runs good but just does not have a lot of steam. Can anyone think of anything that may be holding it back? It has all new tune up components, distributor by Bubba (fully advanced), rebuilt Holley carb. I have not peeked inside the engine. The guy who bought it in the 60's told me the engine was stuck when he got it. I assumed it broke the rings when he "drug it until it freed up" and it had low compression...but without burning oil and decent compression readings I'm now re-thing that. Odometer shows just over 50,000 miles. No idea if that is original or not, but the car is a nice old car. Anyone have any ideas? __________________ Thee Inland Emperors