Bucking like a horse

[kelly.ga]

Hey guys, its been over three years, maybe five since I have been here. My wife was really sick and passed away three years ago and I’m just now getting back to my 47 ford coupe. I can get it cranked with a lot of foot stomping, but thats not my real problem. Today I took it out on the street and it was bucking like crazy in all gears and back firing I believe through exhaust pipes. Luckily I got back as far as the yard and had to push it back in. I was really afraid I was going to tear something up. It kept dying like it was starving for fuel. Any help will be greatly appreciated as I just put new tires on it and would like to drive now.

[petehoovie]

Condenser! - Replace the condenser....

[kelly.ga]

Thanks I’ll do that tomorrow.

[Mart]

Sorry to hear about your wife. Condolences.

Re the bucking: It could be lots of things. Carb, ignition, bad fuel.

Tell us what you have done to it since it last ran well.

[kelly.ga]

Actually nothing, it’s been setting for the last five years or so.

[19Fordy]

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Definitely the condenser

[tubman]

I'd try to get some fresh gas in it. Five years is a long time. If it's alcohol enhanced fuel, I'm very surprised it would run at all.

[kelly.ga]

Thanks, I put fresh gas in a few days ago.

[kelly.ga]

Thanks, that’s first thing tomorrow.

[drolston]

Try the condenser first. A likely suspect and cheap to fix.
However, if the car sat for a long time, it could be sticking valves. Run a compression test to confirm.

If valves are suspect, take off the air cleaner and drizzle half a bottle of MMO through both sides of the carb, while jazzing the throttle. Hope the neighbors don't mind the smoke.

[Frank Miller]

Points may need cleaning too after that long.

[kelly.ga]

I replaced the condenser this morning but it had no effect. The one I took off was from Argentina. The one I replaced it with did not look the same. It was not as big as the one I took off. Probably $14 wasted. Do you fellows think I should get another condenser or look at something else. When I let it idle down it shuts off like it’s running out of gas.

[Mr 42]

Check if you have a blue "fat"spark.
Yellow equals Condenser or coil.

If its blue then.
I would take of the carb go thru it and clean it.

Then check the fuel-pump, and fuel lines.

after that check for stuck /rusted valves or valve seats.

[Dave/Green Bay]

Any chance the rubber fuel line from metal line to carb has broken down on the inside? Dave/Green Bay

[tubman]

"Metal line to" fuel pump?

[Russ/40]

Reach behind the ignition switch. Is the wire to the switch getting hot ? Tighten up the nuts that hold the wires to the switch.. backfiring and bucking is usually a make and break in the ignition.

[flatford8]

Distributor cap and wires maybe?.... Mark

[Kruzn40]

That five year old gas left standing has turned to gum and varnish in your fuel system. You need to drain and flush it all out including disassembling the carb so that you can clean out the nozzles, jets, etc. Ask me how I know. When you say it acts like it's running out of gas, that is exactly what it's doing.

[rbone]

Very sorry to hear about your wife. I will add you to my prayer list.

I would take the carburetor off and thoroughly clean it. Same for the distributor - make sure no vermin have chewed any wires causing intermittent grounding. Clean the points and check for correct operation. While I was doing those things, I would put some MMO in each cylinder and let it soak for a day or so. Then I would try to run it from a lawn mower gas tank or something similar gravity feeding fuel to the carburetor.

[kelly.ga]

Well shoot, you all said exactly what I was afraid you were going to say. Looks like I have some work to do. Thank you all so much.