The Ford Barn

Lincoln29 · 07-20-2023, 04:00 PM

I have a great running and idling 30 Cabriolet that wants to die at stop signs. If I set the idol up to much it won't die. Does anyone have suggestions? I even thought about the float level. Changing the timing doesn't seem to help. Jerry

P.S. · 07-20-2023, 04:03 PM

Two biggest culprits are Float level too high and vacuum leaks. Particularly manifold leaks. Less likely could be vacuum wiper or hose leak.

jb-ob · 07-20-2023, 06:37 PM

Please read your 'Owner's Manual' first for correct sequence of setting the idle speed of your carburetor before tearing into things.

nkaminar · 07-20-2023, 07:28 PM

A good site for the Zenith carburetor is https://model-a.org/default.html. It lists 6 common causes for the engine dying at a stop, see https://model-a.org/symptoms.html

Lincoln29 · 07-20-2023, 08:01 PM

Thanks guys, I will check out your suggestions.
Jerry

MilwaukeeMike · 07-20-2023, 11:16 PM

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I had this problem. It ended up being a rebuilt Zenith with a top and bottom that really did not match up well. I had to cut a special gasket so fuel would not weep forward when stopping. It runs great now but took a lot of time to get setup.

Dave Mellor NJ · 07-20-2023, 11:24 PM

If you have a cast iron separator on the firewall,try draining the water out of it

Mulletwagon · 07-21-2023, 07:28 AM

Had the same problem. Turned out to be a leaky vacuum fitting on the intake manifold for the vacuum wipers. Changed out the fitting and life was good.

Bob Bidonde · 07-21-2023, 08:03 AM

These slides should help you solve the stalling problem. Be mindful that the 5/8" float setting is the starting point for an iterative process to find the sweet spot for your Model "A". It has been my experience that the float setting in various Model "A's" differs slightly.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 07-21-2023, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mulletwagon

Had the same problem. Turned out to be a leaky vacuum fitting on the intake manifold for the vacuum wipers. Changed out the fitting and life was good.

Yes, ...and I would like to add another place often overlooked on vehicles with vacuum wipers. Many times we find vacuum leaks up at the wiper, -either with a hose entering the wiper motor that has deteriorated, or sometimes it is the on/off sliding switch that has a slight leak. These are very tough to diagnose with the engine running because of the noise.

KenBolton · 07-21-2023, 08:39 AM

My issue was solved by cleaning the idle jet.

07-20-2023, 04:00 PM	#1
Lincoln29 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Plymouth, Indiana Posts: 111	dies at stops I have a great running and idling 30 Cabriolet that wants to die at stop signs. If I set the idol up to much it won't die. Does anyone have suggestions? I even thought about the float level. Changing the timing doesn't seem to help. Jerry

07-20-2023, 04:03 PM	#2
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,696	Re: dies at stops Two biggest culprits are Float level too high and vacuum leaks. Particularly manifold leaks. Less likely could be vacuum wiper or hose leak.

07-20-2023, 06:37 PM	#3
jb-ob Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 640	Re: dies at stops Please read your 'Owner's Manual' first for correct sequence of setting the idle speed of your carburetor before tearing into things.

07-20-2023, 07:28 PM	#4
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: dies at stops A good site for the Zenith carburetor is https://model-a.org/default.html. It lists 6 common causes for the engine dying at a stop, see https://model-a.org/symptoms.html __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

07-20-2023, 08:01 PM	#5
Lincoln29 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Plymouth, Indiana Posts: 111	Re: dies at stops Thanks guys, I will check out your suggestions. Jerry

07-20-2023, 11:16 PM	#6
MilwaukeeMike Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 28	Re: dies at stops Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I had this problem. It ended up being a rebuilt Zenith with a top and bottom that really did not match up well. I had to cut a special gasket so fuel would not weep forward when stopping. It runs great now but took a lot of time to get setup.

07-20-2023, 11:24 PM	#7
Dave Mellor NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 781	Re: dies at stops If you have a cast iron separator on the firewall,try draining the water out of it

07-21-2023, 07:28 AM	#8
Mulletwagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 585	Re: dies at stops Had the same problem. Turned out to be a leaky vacuum fitting on the intake manifold for the vacuum wipers. Changed out the fitting and life was good.

07-21-2023, 08:39 AM	#11
KenBolton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Fall Creek, WI Posts: 213	Re: dies at stops My issue was solved by cleaning the idle jet.