The Ford Barn

mike42 · 09-03-2021, 06:24 AM

Rock....I'll look into changing it. Stumbling in my terms means....when you press on the gas pedal....it acts like it's not getting enough gas and the engine bucks. When I get through 1st and 2nd gear it smooths out. It starts on first turn of the engine and idles perfect at 300 rpm's. The car has run perfect for almost 10 years. I've gone through 3 carbs and I can't believe all 3 are bad !! I'm in the process of by-passing the fuel Regulator and going straight from the electric pump to the carb this morning. We'll see !!

cmbru.....car was rewired about 20 years ago I would say. I've checked that, but who knows I may have missed something.

More later....I either need more coffee or a Jack Daniel's !!

Mike

mike42 · 09-05-2021, 08:54 AM

Not to beat a dead horse here, but thought I would chime in on the stumbling issue I was having. Somewhere online I found an article regarding Holley Regulators. There has been problem with the 803 and 804 units.803 is for much higher pressure and the 804 is for 1 to 4 psi. Apparently....in China that place we love.....one spring is marked with a red streak and the other is not marked at all. Some 803 springs were put in the 804 units causing the type of problems I was incurring. So.....I had an old 804 unit and took it apart....sure as hell it had a red stripe on the spring. I then opened up the "new" 804 unit and NO red marks on the spring and it was a higher in size than the one with a red stripe. I took the red marked spring and installed in the new 804 unit and bingo.....started right up....held constant pressure to just under 3 psi and no stumbling at all ! Back to idling at around 200 to 300 rpm and it's back to running smooth again. Just went for a 15 mile run and no problems.

So in closing....."new" doesn't necessarily mean it's good !!

I've got another 804 coming just for a back up and for sure will check that damn spring !!

I can't believe I went through everything I did and this is the root cause of problems.

I appreciate all the info and help ! Trust all are having a great Holiday weekend.

Thx.....Mike

Bored&Stroked · 09-05-2021, 11:39 AM

Thanks for reporting back! Seems the regulator had more spring pressure than the pump could overcome . . . so you were fuel starved.

3 PSI is fine for Holley or Ford 94 type carbs, but a bit much for Strombergs. Glad you sorted it out.

mike42 · 09-06-2021, 12:32 AM

Bored………I am too, but who would ever think that there would be a mistake when assembling a spring !!

Thx !

09-03-2021, 06:24 AM	#21
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,605	Re: 1940 Ford stumbles when making a sharp left or right turn Rock....I'll look into changing it. Stumbling in my terms means....when you press on the gas pedal....it acts like it's not getting enough gas and the engine bucks. When I get through 1st and 2nd gear it smooths out. It starts on first turn of the engine and idles perfect at 300 rpm's. The car has run perfect for almost 10 years. I've gone through 3 carbs and I can't believe all 3 are bad !! I'm in the process of by-passing the fuel Regulator and going straight from the electric pump to the carb this morning. We'll see !! cmbru.....car was rewired about 20 years ago I would say. I've checked that, but who knows I may have missed something. More later....I either need more coffee or a Jack Daniel's !! Mike

09-05-2021, 08:54 AM	#22
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,605	Re: 1940 Ford stumbles when making a sharp left or right turn Not to beat a dead horse here, but thought I would chime in on the stumbling issue I was having. Somewhere online I found an article regarding Holley Regulators. There has been problem with the 803 and 804 units.803 is for much higher pressure and the 804 is for 1 to 4 psi. Apparently....in China that place we love.....one spring is marked with a red streak and the other is not marked at all. Some 803 springs were put in the 804 units causing the type of problems I was incurring. So.....I had an old 804 unit and took it apart....sure as hell it had a red stripe on the spring. I then opened up the "new" 804 unit and NO red marks on the spring and it was a higher in size than the one with a red stripe. I took the red marked spring and installed in the new 804 unit and bingo.....started right up....held constant pressure to just under 3 psi and no stumbling at all ! Back to idling at around 200 to 300 rpm and it's back to running smooth again. Just went for a 15 mile run and no problems. So in closing....."new" doesn't necessarily mean it's good !! I've got another 804 coming just for a back up and for sure will check that damn spring !! I can't believe I went through everything I did and this is the root cause of problems. I appreciate all the info and help ! Trust all are having a great Holiday weekend. Thx.....Mike

09-05-2021, 11:39 AM	#23
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,067	Re: 1940 Ford stumbles when making a sharp left or right turn Thanks for reporting back! Seems the regulator had more spring pressure than the pump could overcome . . . so you were fuel starved. 3 PSI is fine for Holley or Ford 94 type carbs, but a bit much for Strombergs. Glad you sorted it out.

09-06-2021, 12:32 AM	#24
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,605	Re: 1940 Ford stumbles when making a sharp left or right turn Bored………I am too, but who would ever think that there would be a mistake when assembling a spring !! Thx !