The Ford Barn

scottcharles · 08-29-2015, 03:53 PM

I just bought a 1930 Tudor and an having a problem with engine power. It starts right up but in will lose power an backfire if I press the accelerator. if I advance the spark control lever to about a midpoint if runs better, and I can rev. the motor in neutral, however when in gear and driving it lacks power. Opinion could this be engine wear?

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-29-2015, 04:56 PM

First, do a lot of reading on "HOW TO SET UP & OPERATE A MODEL A PROPERLY"
Bill W.

GregLast · 08-29-2015, 10:40 PM

I had some trouble with this recently. Turned out that the nut that held the pigtail wire in the distributor had loosened and was letting it hit the distributor body. I'd look there first and time the engine as you reassemble. Shouldn't take long to do at all.

GregLast · 08-29-2015, 10:44 PM

That said, you will get a lot of advice on what to do next. New gas, clean the carb, time the engine, backlash in the distributor cam, fuel flow issue, rust in the gas. You name it.

All of them are good things to look at, but be sure and only do one at a time so you know what actually worked.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-30-2015, 04:37 AM

While driving down the road advance the spark until you no longer feel an increase in power or speed.

With my totally stock engine and timing set correctly, I advance the spark half way as soon as the engine starts and advance to 3/4 of the way down at 40 to 45 MPH and have good power.

Is this your first Model A? It is only 40 H.P.

scottcharles · 08-30-2015, 07:46 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thank you Tom & Greg. Yes it is my first Model A, just filling my bucket list

08-29-2015, 03:53 PM	#1
scottcharles Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Merrill Wisconsin Posts: 2	Rough running I just bought a 1930 Tudor and an having a problem with engine power. It starts right up but in will lose power an backfire if I press the accelerator. if I advance the spark control lever to about a midpoint if runs better, and I can rev. the motor in neutral, however when in gear and driving it lacks power. Opinion could this be engine wear?

08-29-2015, 04:56 PM	#2
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Rough running First, do a lot of reading on "HOW TO SET UP & OPERATE A MODEL A PROPERLY" Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

08-29-2015, 10:40 PM	#3
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Rough running I had some trouble with this recently. Turned out that the nut that held the pigtail wire in the distributor had loosened and was letting it hit the distributor body. I'd look there first and time the engine as you reassemble. Shouldn't take long to do at all.

08-29-2015, 10:44 PM	#4
GregLast Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 83	Re: Rough running That said, you will get a lot of advice on what to do next. New gas, clean the carb, time the engine, backlash in the distributor cam, fuel flow issue, rust in the gas. You name it. All of them are good things to look at, but be sure and only do one at a time so you know what actually worked.

08-30-2015, 04:37 AM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Rough running While driving down the road advance the spark until you no longer feel an increase in power or speed. With my totally stock engine and timing set correctly, I advance the spark half way as soon as the engine starts and advance to 3/4 of the way down at 40 to 45 MPH and have good power. Is this your first Model A? It is only 40 H.P.

08-30-2015, 07:46 AM	#6
scottcharles Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Merrill Wisconsin Posts: 2	Re: Rough running Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank you Tom & Greg. Yes it is my first Model A, just filling my bucket list