Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-12-2018, 04:14 PM   #1
wingski
Senior Member
 
wingski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon
Posts: 432
Default got it running

Well, I got the ’29 running. It’s not running smoothly, but no leaks and it didn’t overheat after 45 minutes of sitting with the engine running. The Marvel carb didn’t leak, and is set at 1 1/2 turns out. I loosened up the retaining bolt for the distributor but couldn’t get it to turn so I tightened it up again. I was going to advance it a little.

The engine doesn’t seem to have much power when I give it gas, and it will backfire occasionally. Not bad, but still a backfire. I can’t seem to get the idle below 1500 rpm, and when I do it stalls. I turned the GAV all the way off clockwise and the car still ran so I opened 1/8 turn and left it that way.

Needless to say, I’m as happy as a bug in a rug, but I wish it was running better so I could drive it down to the end of the block and back. That back part has me a little concerned.

Mike
wingski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2018, 04:39 PM   #2
SeaSlugs
Senior Member
 
SeaSlugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central, IL
Posts: 3,968
Default Re: got it running

sounds like your timing is all outa whack... id suggest seeking club help. that retaining bolt on the side of the head is not how you change timing - you have to pop the rotor off, loosten the screw and rotate the cam then snug the screw back down.

idle should be nice and slow.
__________________
1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!
SeaSlugs is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 01-12-2018, 05:36 PM   #3
chap52
Senior Member
 
chap52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Marana Arizona
Posts: 1,771
Default Re: got it running

At the very least go on YouTube and search for a post on "How to time a Model A". Some use a Nu-Rex tool, some a test light. Loosening the bolt will only allow you to remove the distributor.
Lots of great "How to's" on YouTube.
Enjoy the adventure...
chap52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2018, 05:53 PM   #4
SeaSlugs
Senior Member
 
SeaSlugs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central, IL
Posts: 3,968
Default Re: got it running

Quote:
Originally Posted by chap52 View Post
At the very least go on YouTube and search for a post on "How to time a Model A". Some use a Nu-Rex tool, some a test light. Loosening the bolt will only allow you to remove the distributor.
Lots of great "How to's" on YouTube.
Enjoy the adventure...
yup youtube is a good source, nu rex wrench is really only helpful to hold the cam still IMO, then just need a wrench to reverse the timing pin and a flat head screwdriver to time it...
__________________
1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!
SeaSlugs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2018, 06:43 PM   #5
eagle
Senior Member
 
eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
Default Re: got it running

Intake manifold sounds like a possibility as well. Use starting fluid or a propane torch, unlit , to test for leaky gasket, cracked manifold, or poor mating surfaces.
__________________
"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."
eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2018, 06:57 PM   #6
Gary WA
Senior Member
 
Gary WA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island
Posts: 4,089
Default Re: got it running

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
http://modelabasics.com/home.htm
__________________
www.whidbeymodelaclub.com
Gary WA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2018, 07:28 PM   #7
To_Lolo52
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cerritos, California
Posts: 2
Default Re: got it running

Remember point gap first (.018 - .020) then timing. Use wide blade screwdriver for cam screw. Buy the Nu-Rex tool and as above view YouTube. Jack Bahm has great instructionals. Very helpful. Do a seach.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
To_Lolo52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2018, 07:59 PM   #8
daveymc29
Senior Member
 
daveymc29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 1,552
Default Re: got it running

Spark advance all the way up, set point to 20 thousandths with the point rubbing block on the top of a cam lobe. (distributor cam) Reverse the timing pin and hold it in while you rotate the engine with a crank. It should drop in a very slight detent in the timing gear. Use a light and a mirror to be sure you are seeing that detent exactly in the center of the pin hole, then loosen the screw in the center of the cam(distributor cam) and rotate until the heel of the rotor is aligned so that the edge of the brass part is opposite the number one spark pickup in the distributor body. That should get you real close. Tighten the cam screw without moving the cam then start the car. It should start and as you wish to advance the spark a bit pul the spark advance down a few notches. On my cars when I find the TDC (top dead center) position I create three marks, two on the engine bolts that hold the timing gear cover on and one on the rear flange of the pulley so that all three marks line up. That will help me next time I want to time the car. When all three marks line up and the rotor is pointed to number one, I know I am close. I check it with a mirror and pen light, but there is some room for error as moving the spark advance should make the engine noise change noticeably as you move it up and down. I use white paint for the marks and find that to be a real time saver. Not for a high point car, but works for me on mine as they are drivers, not show cars.
daveymc29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2018, 11:32 PM   #9
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: got it running

The first step I take in setting timing is to verify that the advancement arm on the distributor travels fully each way in its slot. If it doesn't it will need to be corrected.

Glad you got it running! Now you can concentrate on making it run good.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 09:45 AM   #10
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: got it running

Very good job!
I hope you got that moment on video.
I go back every now and then and watch my first few attempts at starting, and then that first time, when she was trying, she'd fire some, fire some more, and then...she stayed running.
That moment in time you will want to watch , and relive again.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg images dog.jpg (6.6 KB, 7 views)
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 09:50 AM   #11
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: got it running

Distributor does not turn, you do not advance or time by turning the distributor.
Go back and read post #6
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 10:07 AM   #12
30Ford
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Eastern Canada NB
Posts: 166
Default Re: got it running

I had a bad coil wire when I first got mine Checked my timing and all the obvious things first
30Ford is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:01 PM.