The Ford Barn

dgmgohl · 09-19-2018, 06:31 PM

Well, after a long fought battle, new dist cap, rotor, points, seat & needle, fuel pump. My brother suggested I take the vacuum suction line from the carb to the vacuum advance off at the vc end and feel if there is suction. Took it off, felt suction, started car, ran so much better. Rev'd up, no hesitation or bogging down. Could the vacuum advance need replacing? Why would the car run much better with that vacuum line off? Hopefully this is the end! Thanks.

paul2748 · 09-19-2018, 07:54 PM

What carb, what year etc????

JSeery · 09-19-2018, 08:23 PM

And which distributor?

dgmgohl · 09-19-2018, 08:36 PM

Teapot carb, 53 Merc flatty, not sure of distrbutor. Was in a 8BA Ford flatty before the Merc.

JSeery · 09-20-2018, 09:41 AM

Assuming it has the original 8ba distributor (loadamatic), it is vacuum advance only. A lot of distributors have mechanical advance or a combination of mechanical/vacuum advance. The loadamatic was unique in being vacuum advance only. If it is running better with the vacuum line disconnected something is wrong with the timing and/or the vacuum advance unit. Are you sure the vacuum line is connected to the correct source? It will not operate correctly if connected to manifold vacuum. The following is from VanPlets site:

Spark advance in the LoadaMatic distributor is controlled entirely by the vacuum differential at the carburetor, which regulates the vacuum control diaphragm on the distributor. The diaphragm is connected to the breaker plate and works against two springs. On 1949 Ford distributors the two springs are of separate tension. 1950 to 53 distributors have identical springs. The springs are mounted on posts with eccentric mounts. Turning the post adjusts the spring tension. Vacuum for the LoadaMatic distributor does not come from a simple vacuum fitting off the intake manifold (ie for windshield wipers), but must come from the vacuum connection on the carburetor. The stock Ford/Holley carb has the necessary two vacuum circuits internally, that are absolutely necessary for control of this distributor.

scicala · 09-20-2018, 11:17 AM

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The following is from VanPlets site:

Spark advance in the LoadaMatic distributor is controlled entirely by the vacuum differential at the carburetor, which regulates the vacuum control diaphragm on the distributor. The diaphragm is connected to the breaker plate and works against two springs. On 1949 Ford distributors the two springs are of separate tension. 1950 to 53 distributors have identical springs. The springs are mounted on posts with eccentric mounts. Turning the post adjusts the spring tension. Vacuum for the LoadaMatic distributor does not come from a simple vacuum fitting off the intake manifold (ie for windshield wipers), but must come from the vacuum connection on the carburetor. The stock Ford/Holley carb has the necessary two vacuum circuits internally, that are absolutely necessary for control of this distributor.

Need to read this and let in sink in. Very good description.

Sal

09-19-2018, 06:31 PM	#1
dgmgohl Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 53	Adjusting Float and other assorted musings Well, after a long fought battle, new dist cap, rotor, points, seat & needle, fuel pump. My brother suggested I take the vacuum suction line from the carb to the vacuum advance off at the vc end and feel if there is suction. Took it off, felt suction, started car, ran so much better. Rev'd up, no hesitation or bogging down. Could the vacuum advance need replacing? Why would the car run much better with that vacuum line off? Hopefully this is the end! Thanks.

09-19-2018, 07:54 PM	#2
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,982	Re: Adjusting Float and other assorted musings What carb, what year etc???? __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

09-19-2018, 08:23 PM	#3
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Adjusting Float and other assorted musings And which distributor?

09-19-2018, 08:36 PM	#4
dgmgohl Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 53	Re: Adjusting Float and other assorted musings Teapot carb, 53 Merc flatty, not sure of distrbutor. Was in a 8BA Ford flatty before the Merc.

09-20-2018, 09:41 AM	#5
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Adjusting Float and other assorted musings Assuming it has the original 8ba distributor (loadamatic), it is vacuum advance only. A lot of distributors have mechanical advance or a combination of mechanical/vacuum advance. The loadamatic was unique in being vacuum advance only. If it is running better with the vacuum line disconnected something is wrong with the timing and/or the vacuum advance unit. Are you sure the vacuum line is connected to the correct source? It will not operate correctly if connected to manifold vacuum. The following is from VanPlets site: Spark advance in the LoadaMatic distributor is controlled entirely by the vacuum differential at the carburetor, which regulates the vacuum control diaphragm on the distributor. The diaphragm is connected to the breaker plate and works against two springs. On 1949 Ford distributors the two springs are of separate tension. 1950 to 53 distributors have identical springs. The springs are mounted on posts with eccentric mounts. Turning the post adjusts the spring tension. Vacuum for the LoadaMatic distributor does not come from a simple vacuum fitting off the intake manifold (ie for windshield wipers), but must come from the vacuum connection on the carburetor. The stock Ford/Holley carb has the necessary two vacuum circuits internally, that are absolutely necessary for control of this distributor. Last edited by JSeery; 09-20-2018 at 09:50 AM.

09-20-2018, 11:17 AM	#6
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,706	Re: Adjusting Float and other assorted musings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The following is from VanPlets site: Spark advance in the LoadaMatic distributor is controlled entirely by the vacuum differential at the carburetor, which regulates the vacuum control diaphragm on the distributor. The diaphragm is connected to the breaker plate and works against two springs. On 1949 Ford distributors the two springs are of separate tension. 1950 to 53 distributors have identical springs. The springs are mounted on posts with eccentric mounts. Turning the post adjusts the spring tension. Vacuum for the LoadaMatic distributor does not come from a simple vacuum fitting off the intake manifold (ie for windshield wipers), but must come from the vacuum connection on the carburetor. The stock Ford/Holley carb has the necessary two vacuum circuits internally, that are absolutely necessary for control of this distributor. Need to read this and let in sink in. Very good description. Sal