49 8BA has no power

[GB SISSON]

Originally Posted by tubman

With the wrong carburetor, he has no advance at all. Let's see what installing the proper carburetor does before offering more advice.

Denny, I'm not sure of the wording but in post #8 it seems like he's saying it has a correct 8ba carb (with port) on it currently, but the PO had mistakenly sent an early style carb for rebuilding. So the current owner now has that Charlie NY early carb sitting on the bench and can't use it as a tester as it doesn't have the vacuum port.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

Denny, I'm not sure of the wording but in post #8 it seems like he's saying it has a correct 8ba carb (with port) on it currently, but the PO had mistakenly sent an early style carb for rebuilding. So the current owner now has that Charlie NY early carb sitting on the bench and can't use it as a tester as it doesn't have the vacuum port.

I don't read it that way, but it really doesn't matter because my point is you can't properly troubleshoot a problem on an engine that has known problem areas. Fix them first. It looks like he's gonna get the correct carb from Charlie, which should help a lot.

[Vanspeed]

Yes the engine has the correct carb on it, the owner sent Charlie an earlier version as he was not aware that the 94 changed at all. I also suspect that the mechanical advance might be seized. I am checking that on Monday.

[cadillac512]

The stock 8BA distributor has no mech advance. Only vac, so if it's not working you have no advance.

[hueyhoolihan]

Originally Posted by cadillac512

The stock 8BA distributor has no mech advance. Only vac, so if it's not working you have no advance.

that's my understanding too.

..and Google's AI confirmed it if that's of any significance. here is how i phrased my question to Google AI: "did the original 1949 ford 8ba distributor have a mechanical advance"

here's the response: "No, the original 1949 Ford 8BA distributor did not have a mechanical advance. It was a Load-O-Matic distributor that relied solely on vacuum advance for ignition timing adjustments. This type of distributor was designed to work with the original carburetor and wouldn't perform optimally with aftermarket modifications like performance camshafts or multiple carburetors."

[Vanspeed]

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Originally Posted by cadillac512

The stock 8BA distributor has no mech advance. Only vac, so if it's not working you have no advance.

Interesting. I thought it had both. We’ll see tomorrow if the advance works when I throw my timing light on it.

[51shoeboxer]

Originally Posted by Vanspeed

Yes the engine has the correct carb on it, the owner sent Charlie an earlier version as he was not aware that the 94 changed at all. I also suspect that the mechanical advance might be seized. I am checking that on Monday.

The Holley 94 carburetor is part of the load-a-matic advance system. There is no mechanical advance system (centrifugal advance); only a vacuum advance system in which engine vacuum is used to advance ignition timing. It is possible that the vacuum-controlled advance plate in the distributor is stuck, but you can easily check that. Another possibility is that the vacuum diaphragm on the distributor has failed. If you have an adjustable timing light, you might measure ignition timing at idle and with the engine at about 2000 RPM. With the load-a-matic system functioning properly, you should see the ignition timing advanced about 20 degrees at 2000 RPM. Good luck.

[Vanspeed]

Originally Posted by 51shoeboxer

The Holley 94 carburetor is part of the load-a-matic advance system. There is no mechanical advance system (centrifugal advance); only a vacuum advance system in which engine vacuum is used to advance ignition timing. It is possible that the vacuum-controlled advance plate in the distributor is stuck, but you can easily check that. Another possibility is that the vacuum diaphragm on the distributor has failed. If you have an adjustable timing light, you might measure ignition timing at idle and with the engine at about 2000 RPM. With the load-a-matic system functioning properly, you should see the ignition timing advanced about 20 degrees at 2000 RPM. Good luck.

Everything is good. I tested the vacuum at the carb and at the distributor. It was just very badly out of timing. Owner picked it up and said he can go 60 mph now! lol.