Backfire and Die

[Walt Ebie]

2 weeks ago: Out for a drive....started some jumps and jerks...a few backfires. I stopped and in a few moments it smoothed out and I got home.
Yesterday: Out for another drive.....started the jumping and backfiring again but more serious....finally died and would not start. I came home on the hook. I pulled the plugs today - they were a little carboned up but not really too dirty; checked the gap and put them back in. So what's next? Did it slip the timing? Maybe a bad carburetor float? What say ye? By the way, this is a '30 coupe. Walt

[Mitch//pa]

check for the basics spark and fuel. then attack

[Patrick L.]

Like Mitch said, check for spark and fuel and let us know which it is. Check to see if the rotor turns. It also makes a difference as to how it was backfiring and quit.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Clean the points, carefully, with FINE grit paper & check the gap. This is the most common cause of runnin' piss poor!
Bill W.

[barkleydave]

Same as mentioned above also... (my glitch a few weeks ago)

Bad Fuel... fuel was not old just a bad load in a gas tank.

How old is the fuel in your tank?

Missed sputtered no power and back fires when pushed a little.

[WestCoast]

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ok, when it dies pull coil wire and see if there is spark, if so look down carb and work the accelerator shaft to see if any fuel is squirted down carb throat, is it back firing out the carb or tail pipe?, does the coil get to hot to hold with your hand?, if so good chance its bad ,if you really want to get into it, plug fuel line from fuel pump to carb, hook up a gallon fuel can with a hose from it to the carb, see if it runs ok that way, if so fuel problem, if not probably an electrical problem, as was stated, do what he said, do all the easy things first, don't out smart your self

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

ok, when it dies pull coil wire and see if there is spark, if so look down carb and work the accelerator shaft to see if any fuel is squirted down carb throat, is it back firing out the carb or tail pipe?, does the coil get to hot to hold with your hand? if you really want to get into it, plug fuel line from fuel pump to carb, hook up a gallon fuel can with a hose from it to the carb, see if it runs ok that way, if so fuel problem, if not probably an electrical problem, as was stated, do what he said, do all the easy things first, don't out smart your self

i think your doing this person a disservice sending him on a wild goose chase
from what i read we are working on an originally equipped model A

[WestCoast]

how so, hes having engine running problems, ive just gave him a few places to start, should I just told him it cant be fixed and just forget it?

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

how so, hes having engine running problems, ive just gave him a few places to start, should I just told him it cant be fixed and just forget it?

a stock ford model A does not have an accelerator pump or a fuel pump. i have had a little to drink today but not that much

[WestCoast]

opps, sorry wrong forum, should have been in the flathead room, haven't drank it 50 years, so I cant use that as an excuse

[Mitch//pa]

whhheeww u had me worried

[CA Victoria]

I read the title.....my first thought was that happens to me too when I have to much fiber! But then he was talking carburetors ..........

[Jacksonlll]

If your plugs were black and fuzzy, be sure to scrape out the carbon in the annulus. sp?
If you did, did it run good after you cleaned them. Could try a splash of water on the carb bowl next time it happens.

[theHIGHLANDER]

Nobody mentioned the condenser. Spark 1st, then fuel. If all's well in those 2 departments it might call for digging deeper. Someone said look to see if the rotor turns. Once in a blue moon the distributor pin can shear, but keep it simple 1st.

[Walt Ebie]

Thanks for your help...had some trouble trying to log in for several days. Meanwhile, buffing up the points, checking the gap, cleaning and checking the plugs AND a condenser seems to have got her going again. Thanks to you all!