The Ford Barn

COE Dan · 08-11-2013, 10:59 PM

Ford Barn,

I've got a stock '39 Ford Fordor Deluxe. I've begun to encounter a hesitation/stall issue.

Part 1: When I make a tight turn (in a cul-de-sac or parking lot) and then accelerate out of the turn, the car hesitates/bucks. The engine doesn't quit and if I take out the clutch and rev the engine, the hesitation stops and I can accelerate with no issues.

Part 2: When I decelerate to a stop, about 1 second after the car comes to a complete stop, the rpms drop very low, almost stalls, then recovers.

All other driving profiles, the car runs fine. No hesitations in straight line acceleration or shallow turns, no hesitation/stall starting after a stop where Part 2 occurs.

I run a Ford 94 carb (with a 1/4 inch insulating spacer underneath), use ethanol-free gasoline. Distributor/timing is stock. Fuel tank is clean and free from goo. I'm running 500-700 rpm at idle.

Operating temps are almost always 75-90 here year round in Hawaii so no climatic difference has been noted.

I checked the idle mixture as I thought it was running too rich. Leaning out the mixture 1/4 turn only caused the car to stall out at a stop. Switching the mixture back to where it was keeps the engine running. I removed the gas cap to ensure I didn't have a vacuum develop in the tank.

The only suspect cause I can think of right now is possibly a sticking float. Any suggestions what to try and what it might be? Thanks.

COE Dan

I suspect a fuel issue

ford38v8 · 08-11-2013, 11:50 PM

Check your needle valve (use only a steel valve, not rubber tipped), and reset your float level.

ken ct · 08-12-2013, 02:52 AM

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This is more commen on Stroms with the side hung float,not too often with a center hung one on a 94. Try as 38 suggested a steel needle and raise the float level by about 1/16"

08-11-2013, 10:59 PM	#1
COE Dan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Now in Wichita, KS Posts: 251	Flathead with hesitation problem Ford Barn, I've got a stock '39 Ford Fordor Deluxe. I've begun to encounter a hesitation/stall issue. Part 1: When I make a tight turn (in a cul-de-sac or parking lot) and then accelerate out of the turn, the car hesitates/bucks. The engine doesn't quit and if I take out the clutch and rev the engine, the hesitation stops and I can accelerate with no issues. Part 2: When I decelerate to a stop, about 1 second after the car comes to a complete stop, the rpms drop very low, almost stalls, then recovers. All other driving profiles, the car runs fine. No hesitations in straight line acceleration or shallow turns, no hesitation/stall starting after a stop where Part 2 occurs. I run a Ford 94 carb (with a 1/4 inch insulating spacer underneath), use ethanol-free gasoline. Distributor/timing is stock. Fuel tank is clean and free from goo. I'm running 500-700 rpm at idle. Operating temps are almost always 75-90 here year round in Hawaii so no climatic difference has been noted. I checked the idle mixture as I thought it was running too rich. Leaning out the mixture 1/4 turn only caused the car to stall out at a stop. Switching the mixture back to where it was keeps the engine running. I removed the gas cap to ensure I didn't have a vacuum develop in the tank. The only suspect cause I can think of right now is possibly a sticking float. Any suggestions what to try and what it might be? Thanks. COE Dan I suspect a fuel issue

08-11-2013, 11:50 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,635	Re: Flathead with hesitation problem Check your needle valve (use only a steel valve, not rubber tipped), and reset your float level. __________________ Alan

08-12-2013, 02:52 AM	#3
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: Flathead with hesitation problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) This is more commen on Stroms with the side hung float,not too often with a center hung one on a 94. Try as 38 suggested a steel needle and raise the float level by about 1/16"