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Old 10-16-2019, 05:05 PM   #1
thom
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Default clean that carb

After replacing the cracked head and converting back to stock A points and condenser ,(still waiting for someone to tell me why anyone would ever use the late model conversion), I disassembled and cleaned the carb on our '28 coupe. There was no junk to be seen in the bowl but evidently there was some stuff in the idle circuit because it will idle down lower now and doesn't die when I come to a stop. The car runs better and better.
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Old 10-16-2019, 05:32 PM   #2
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Default Re: clean that carb

Ditto on the ignition.
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Old 10-16-2019, 05:33 PM   #3
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: clean that carb

As for the so called modern points

They think that the later V8 points will be easy to locate , on the road

Les Andrews recommends them

There is little or no mention of what a pain they are to accurately adjust

They won't be the person that installs them

They figure that local parts houses will have good USA made points in stock

After all it has only been nearly fifty years since points were used in modern cars
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Old 10-16-2019, 07:15 PM   #4
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Default Re: clean that carb

I have used the modern points with and without the pigtail wire and the old original points. They all seem to work just fine. The modern points rubbing block seems to wear like iron. They may be a little harder to adjust but not a big deal especially since you never seem to have to adjust them. I know nobody seems to like the modern with the metal contact but if adjusted correctly I have not had any problem with them after 10,000 + miles.
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Old 10-16-2019, 08:00 PM   #5
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Default Re: clean that carb

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Originally Posted by thom View Post
evidently there was some stuff in the idle circuit because it will idle down lower now and doesn't die when I come to a stop.
Can you briefly list what cleaning steps you took? I have these two exact problems and I've had guys swear that it's the carb and other guys swear that it's a vacuum leak.

I don't know carbs well, but I might be able to handle simple cleaning tasks. I'm afraid to take it apart but I might have to.
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Old 10-16-2019, 08:35 PM   #6
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Default Re: clean that carb

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Purdy Swoft, anyone who drives a Model A, or any car old enough to use points should be smart enough to carry a spare set with them, on the road, right? And I challenge anyone to find a set of points, for any application, that are made in the USA.
alexiskai, my carb was not very "dirty". I simply disassembled it and used compressed air to blow out all the passages and jets, then reassembled it in reverse order. The mounting gasket and the gasket between the two halves of the carb body remained intact. There are not very many pieces to a Model A carb and not much chance of putting something back in wrong. There are videos on the 'net that you can watch to get familiar with the internals before you tear into yours that might make you feel more confident.
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Old 10-16-2019, 10:12 PM   #7
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: clean that carb

I am smart enough to carry a spare set of original points and condenser in my tool pouch

The only time on the road that I absolutely had to replace the points

was when the lifting block fell off the arm of the original style points

I doubt that any of the points

Original style or V8 are US made
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Old 10-17-2019, 07:20 AM   #8
marty in Ohio
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Default Re: clean that carb

I think anyone who has "cooked" a condenser with the old style points will agree with Purdy. I know I do.
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Old 10-17-2019, 07:35 AM   #9
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Default Re: clean that carb

Quote:
Originally Posted by thom View Post
After replacing the cracked head and converting back to stock A points and condenser ,(still waiting for someone to tell me why anyone would ever use the late model conversion), I disassembled and cleaned the carb on our '28 coupe. There was no junk to be seen in the bowl but evidently there was some stuff in the idle circuit because it will idle down lower now and doesn't die when I come to a stop. The car runs better and better.
If you found no dirt the problem could have been caused by a bad gasket.
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Old 10-17-2019, 08:40 AM   #10
alexiskai
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Default Re: clean that carb

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If you found no dirt the problem could have been caused by a bad gasket.
That's interesting, how would a bad gasket lead to those symptoms?
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Old 10-17-2019, 09:41 AM   #11
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: clean that carb

It's my opinion that Henry Ford's ignition points are superior in form, fit and function. That is why Ford's ignition points have outlasted all other designs for the Model "A"! The same goes for the Model "B" ignition points. As for Ford's condensers, the Motorcraft ones are excellent, and so too are the other current reproductions.



There is no fit, form, function, cost or availability rationale for converting to modern points.
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Old 10-17-2019, 10:04 AM   #12
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Default Re: clean that carb

Fast idle is a symptom of a vacuum leak.
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Old 10-17-2019, 11:10 AM   #13
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: clean that carb

If for no other reason ,I prefer the option of holding a feeler gauge in one hand while adjusting the adjustable point with a slot head screw .

Original points are so much easier to adjust and get a perfect setting of choice

When modern points are used in the model A distributor

It is usually necessary to prize and try to hold the correct position while tightening the screw that attaches the totally different V8 points to a modified upper plate .

I prefer the original points for a more accurate setting

Original style points was without doubt one of Fords better ideas

Ford liked to make things easy for the owner

I always like to make things easier on myself

If I wanted to punish myself I would listen to SAD country music

Though I did use the V8 points for a few years , I no longer punish myself with them
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Old 10-17-2019, 11:40 AM   #14
Don S
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Default Re: clean that carb

I had trouble with the modern lower plate and upper combination. While on a tour all was well until The car would suddenly stop. This happened several times over the next couple of days . We got home and were on a club tour when it stopped and would not start. I had almost given up whe I moved the timing lever a small amount and the car started. Moved lever to driving position and engine quit again . Moved lever ,engine started ,drove home at lower speed. At home I checked the distributor and found the lower plate had grooves where the metal piece from the upper plate was touching. I changed back to original design with a longer lower wire, no troubles since. Don' t know why the groove happened but contact was not complete where most driving position was on the lower plate.
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Old 10-17-2019, 12:10 PM   #15
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Default Re: clean that carb

I have the stock distributor setup. I carry a rebuilt and timed distributor under the seat of my coupe. I find it easier, when on the road, to change out a failed distributor with a rebuilt and timed distributor rather than the change points and/or condenser.
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Old 10-17-2019, 12:54 PM   #16
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: clean that carb

I agree !!!
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Old 10-17-2019, 01:03 PM   #17
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Default Re: clean that carb

Ditto!
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