The Ford Barn

eagle · 12-04-2017, 10:58 PM

It sounds to me like a points problem. Polish and clean carefully then use a voltmeter on the points. When open there should be battery voltage, when closed 0 volts.

Jacksonlll · 12-05-2017, 06:23 AM

I ran into this this past fall. Couldn't get it started and finally watched to see if the rotor was turning and it was not. Stripped timing gear. Make sure the rotor turns when you crank it.

Dino's A · 12-05-2017, 09:49 AM

Why all this "points not good" stuff? You should of eliminated all this by merely shooting some gas/carb cleaner into the carb and see if she fires. Or did not I read that this was done?

Ernie Vitucci · 12-05-2017, 01:24 PM

Good Morning...You might well need a new condenser which is not very much money from the usual suppliers or a six volt universal one from a parts store. NAPA would have it for sure. Others might be a dollar or two cheaper. Take the current one with you to the store. Good Luck...Ernie

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA · 12-10-2017, 03:37 PM

Update:
Truck has a repo junction box. I replaced it with a good original.
I replaced the distributor with a Tom Endy original rebuild with new lower wiring.
I installed a new coil and wire to distributor.
With motor turning over I get a spark from the coil wire to ground.
I re-timed the truck and it has a spark at the points.
I purchased and installed a new fuse box on the starter.
All spark plug wires are tight.

I removed the instrument panel and saw that one of the ignition switch wires was loose. I tightened it.
The upper air adjustment on the carb was only opened 1/2 turn. I made it 1 and 1/2 turns.
I had to recharge the battery that eventually ran down.

Motor turns over strong, but will not start.
I have the gav open 1/2 of a turn.
If I remove the filter screen plug at the front of the carb, gas comes out.
I turn the key on, gas on and pull the choke as I step on the starter.

I would appreciate suggestions.

Bob C · 12-10-2017, 04:05 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Does gas run out of the carb after you choke it for awhile, it should.
Have you done a compression check?

Bob

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA · 12-10-2017, 05:47 PM

Rotor does turn while cranking.
Gas does not come out of carb after choking for awhile, but like I said, gas does come out of the front filter plug, if I remove it after cranking.

I will pick up some starter fluid on the way home from work tomorrow.

Brian-NJ · 12-10-2017, 05:57 PM

spark at plugs? pull plug and see if its wet from gas.

Jacksonlll · 12-10-2017, 05:59 PM

Just take the carb apart and give it a good cleaning. Easy to do and fun doing it.

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA · 12-10-2017, 08:09 PM

Well I tried to start it, with the choke open for long time and then removed the number 1 spark plug to see if it was wet with gasoline. It was covered with carbon, but no gasoline.

I removed all 4 plugs (champion w-20) and cleaned the carbon off with a wire brush. All plugs had gaps of .035.

I next removed the carb for cleaning. I could not get it apart even though I banged the bottom half with a chunk of wood. I'm thinking it is shellaced shut.

So I decided to put on a backup carb that had been sitting on a shelf for several years.
The motor started right up!
And so did my big smile.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me.
I appreciate each one of your good suggestions.
Regards, Neil

Tom Wesenberg · 12-11-2017, 10:04 AM

Start soaking the original carb in some REAL carb cleaner, not some EPA baby approved watered down safe to drink crap.

katy · 12-11-2017, 10:36 AM

Good to hear that you found the problem and got it running.

JDupuis · 12-11-2017, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear it's running again. Jeff

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA · 12-15-2017, 08:55 PM

I installed a new gas shut off valve and a rebuilt Tom Endy carb, today.
I took it to get our Christmas tree. I stopped at Lakewood City Hall and took some pictures on the way home. The truck ran great! It is nice to have a running A again.

Neil Mylar LakewoodCA · 12-15-2017, 08:57 PM

Can anyone fix my pictures for me?

Bob C · 12-15-2017, 09:09 PM

Here you go.

katy · 12-16-2017, 10:17 AM

Neat looking truck, thanks for the photos.

Chris Haynes · 12-16-2017, 12:50 PM

Take your test light and see if you are getting juice to the points. If not follow back to see where you are losing it.

1930-Pickup · 12-16-2017, 01:13 PM

One side of the points is larger than the other.
The small side has a flat solid surface.
The larger side has a hole in the middle.
Is this normal.

This is normal. These are called 'vented' points, usually used on higher quality high-performance points to remove ozone that was created by electrical arcing. A bit of an over-kill for a Model A, but no harm either.

Purdy Swoft · 12-16-2017, 02:19 PM

Neil , In post # 16 the timing looks to be right on . Now if you can grasp the rotor and rotate it at all in the clockwise direction , tat would be what I call clockwise backlash . It would still run with a bit of backlash but would be retarded to what ever amount of clockwise backlash exists . I w0uld put the distributor caps back on , turn the switch on and hold the coil wire about a quarter inch from a head nut and observe the spark as the engine turns over with the starter . The spark should be bright and blue. If the spark is yellow and weak it probably wont start .If you are running six volts and the battery is slightly weak, sometimes the starter can draw two much to turn the engine and have enough power to fire the ignition with a strong enough blue spark to start the engine .The modern style condenser could be too weak . The points can oxidise and you may not have filed them enough I get better results with fine sandpaper . The points have to be really clean. I had lots of problems with the so called modern points . I now only use original type points and the A&L short proof condenser . The only other possibilities that I can think of is that you could have some valves stuck in the open position and coult be losing compression . I would remove all of the spark plugs and give it the thumb compression test . Any cylinders that doesn't blow your thumb off the spark plug hole while the engine is turning over with the starter will have a stuck open valve and will have no compression . If the vehicle has sit for a few weeks or more with ethanol fuel, that will be a problem and will require draining the fuel and cleaning the carburetor jets and passages wits a good grade carburetor cleaner and compressed air . I have had all of these problkems at one time or another . I hope that some of this will help

12-04-2017, 10:58 PM	#21
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. It sounds to me like a points problem. Polish and clean carefully then use a voltmeter on the points. When open there should be battery voltage, when closed 0 volts. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

12-05-2017, 06:23 AM	#22
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. I ran into this this past fall. Couldn't get it started and finally watched to see if the rotor was turning and it was not. Stripped timing gear. Make sure the rotor turns when you crank it.

12-05-2017, 09:49 AM	#23
Dino's A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Arcadia, Ca. Posts: 251	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Why all this "points not good" stuff? You should of eliminated all this by merely shooting some gas/carb cleaner into the carb and see if she fires. Or did not I read that this was done?

12-05-2017, 01:24 PM	#24
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 612	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Good Morning...You might well need a new condenser which is not very much money from the usual suppliers or a six volt universal one from a parts store. NAPA would have it for sure. Others might be a dollar or two cheaper. Take the current one with you to the store. Good Luck...Ernie

12-10-2017, 03:37 PM	#25
Neil Mylar LakewoodCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 1,346	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Update: Truck has a repo junction box. I replaced it with a good original. I replaced the distributor with a Tom Endy original rebuild with new lower wiring. I installed a new coil and wire to distributor. With motor turning over I get a spark from the coil wire to ground. I re-timed the truck and it has a spark at the points. I purchased and installed a new fuse box on the starter. All spark plug wires are tight. I removed the instrument panel and saw that one of the ignition switch wires was loose. I tightened it. The upper air adjustment on the carb was only opened 1/2 turn. I made it 1 and 1/2 turns. I had to recharge the battery that eventually ran down. Motor turns over strong, but will not start. I have the gav open 1/2 of a turn. If I remove the filter screen plug at the front of the carb, gas comes out. I turn the key on, gas on and pull the choke as I step on the starter. I would appreciate suggestions. Last edited by Neil Mylar LakewoodCA; 12-10-2017 at 03:40 PM. Reason: Spellcheck

12-10-2017, 04:05 PM	#26
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Does gas run out of the carb after you choke it for awhile, it should. Have you done a compression check? Bob

12-10-2017, 05:47 PM	#27
Neil Mylar LakewoodCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 1,346	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Rotor does turn while cranking. Gas does not come out of carb after choking for awhile, but like I said, gas does come out of the front filter plug, if I remove it after cranking. I will pick up some starter fluid on the way home from work tomorrow.

12-10-2017, 05:57 PM	#28
Brian-NJ Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kearny, NJ Posts: 53	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. spark at plugs? pull plug and see if its wet from gas.

12-10-2017, 05:59 PM	#29
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Just take the carb apart and give it a good cleaning. Easy to do and fun doing it.

12-10-2017, 08:09 PM	#30
Neil Mylar LakewoodCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 1,346	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Well I tried to start it, with the choke open for long time and then removed the number 1 spark plug to see if it was wet with gasoline. It was covered with carbon, but no gasoline. I removed all 4 plugs (champion w-20) and cleaned the carbon off with a wire brush. All plugs had gaps of .035. I next removed the carb for cleaning. I could not get it apart even though I banged the bottom half with a chunk of wood. I'm thinking it is shellaced shut. So I decided to put on a backup carb that had been sitting on a shelf for several years. The motor started right up! And so did my big smile. Thank you everyone for taking the time to help me. I appreciate each one of your good suggestions. Regards, Neil

12-11-2017, 10:04 AM	#31
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Start soaking the original carb in some REAL carb cleaner, not some EPA baby approved watered down safe to drink crap.

12-11-2017, 10:36 AM	#32
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,044	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Good to hear that you found the problem and got it running. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

12-11-2017, 11:51 AM	#33
JDupuis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Maryhill Ont Canada Posts: 834	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Thanks for the update. Glad to hear it's running again. Jeff __________________ Let's let pylons, be pylons!

12-15-2017, 08:57 PM	#35
Neil Mylar LakewoodCA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 1,346	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. It's running! Got tree! Can anyone fix my pictures for me? Last edited by Neil Mylar LakewoodCA; 12-15-2017 at 09:03 PM.

12-16-2017, 10:17 AM	#37
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,044	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Neat looking truck, thanks for the photos. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

12-16-2017, 12:50 PM	#38
Chris Haynes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camarillo, CA and Pine Grove, CA Posts: 2,832	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Take your test light and see if you are getting juice to the points. If not follow back to see where you are losing it. __________________ 1921 Runabout 1930 Tudor Early 1930 AA Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?

12-16-2017, 01:13 PM	#39
1930-Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: southern California Posts: 725	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. One side of the points is larger than the other. The small side has a flat solid surface. The larger side has a hole in the middle. Is this normal. This is normal. These are called 'vented' points, usually used on higher quality high-performance points to remove ozone that was created by electrical arcing. A bit of an over-kill for a Model A, but no harm either. __________________ *"That's my wild unsubstantiated guess, and I'm sticking to it regardless of the facts!"*

12-16-2017, 02:19 PM	#40
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Trying to start my 29 truck. Has not run in a few years. Has modern points. Neil , In post # 16 the timing looks to be right on . Now if you can grasp the rotor and rotate it at all in the clockwise direction , tat would be what I call clockwise backlash . It would still run with a bit of backlash but would be retarded to what ever amount of clockwise backlash exists . I w0uld put the distributor caps back on , turn the switch on and hold the coil wire about a quarter inch from a head nut and observe the spark as the engine turns over with the starter . The spark should be bright and blue. If the spark is yellow and weak it probably wont start .If you are running six volts and the battery is slightly weak, sometimes the starter can draw two much to turn the engine and have enough power to fire the ignition with a strong enough blue spark to start the engine .The modern style condenser could be too weak . The points can oxidise and you may not have filed them enough I get better results with fine sandpaper . The points have to be really clean. I had lots of problems with the so called modern points . I now only use original type points and the A&L short proof condenser . The only other possibilities that I can think of is that you could have some valves stuck in the open position and coult be losing compression . I would remove all of the spark plugs and give it the thumb compression test . Any cylinders that doesn't blow your thumb off the spark plug hole while the engine is turning over with the starter will have a stuck open valve and will have no compression . If the vehicle has sit for a few weeks or more with ethanol fuel, that will be a problem and will require draining the fuel and cleaning the carburetor jets and passages wits a good grade carburetor cleaner and compressed air . I have had all of these problkems at one time or another . I hope that some of this will help