The Ford Barn

KCW · 09-07-2017, 01:11 PM

Hi everyone,

I have a 26 T roadster pickup. I love it. Haven't had it titled yet since I couldn't locate the VIN. I was driving it home from the DMV (drives amazing) and all of sudden the engine lost some power and it sounded different. I'm new to cars in general and even newer to owning a T, so forgive the laymans description here. The engine has more of a put-put sound, that sounds kind of hollow. The car still drives, but with less power. Starts and stops just find and handles normally as before. When I give it gas using the throttle on the wheel I do get more speed but the engine becomes incredibly loud, where as this didn't happen before. Any idea what this is? The abnormal sound becomes more pronounced. I feel like if I advance the spark all the way it helps a little bit. I'm taking it to an expert on Monday, but in the meantime does anyone have any ideas of what this could be? Sorry to be vague. Again, I'm very new to this, but owning a T is incredible. Thanks in advance for any advice!

KCW

29spcoupe · 09-07-2017, 02:25 PM

You possibly are not hitting on all 4 cylinders. Check that all your coils buzz. Use the hand crank with the key on and go slowly through all the cylinders. If you get a coil that does not buzz, swap it with one that does. That will tell you if the coil or something else is at fault. If all the coils buzz, check the plugs. Pull out one plug at a time, keep it attached to the wire and ground it against the engine block and watch for spark. Check that all connections to the coil box are tight. Sometimes the brass contacts in the coil box need to be sprung upwards to make better contact with the coils.
Do this in a step by step way, this will isolate the problem and let you know whether it is coil, plugs or wires. Hope this helps. John

Sunnybrook Farm · 09-09-2017, 12:26 PM

See if the manifold gasket is still intact, could be sucking air.

dumb person · 09-09-2017, 03:04 PM

Sounds like the timing went out randomly. Not sure how that would happen and still have the spark advance correctly. Might be the easiest thing to check.

Mark-Ia · 09-10-2017, 03:23 PM

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Either a bad coil or connection or you lost a valve head.

09-07-2017, 01:11 PM	#1
KCW Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 15	26 T pickup engine problem - need advice Hi everyone, I have a 26 T roadster pickup. I love it. Haven't had it titled yet since I couldn't locate the VIN. I was driving it home from the DMV (drives amazing) and all of sudden the engine lost some power and it sounded different. I'm new to cars in general and even newer to owning a T, so forgive the laymans description here. The engine has more of a put-put sound, that sounds kind of hollow. The car still drives, but with less power. Starts and stops just find and handles normally as before. When I give it gas using the throttle on the wheel I do get more speed but the engine becomes incredibly loud, where as this didn't happen before. Any idea what this is? The abnormal sound becomes more pronounced. I feel like if I advance the spark all the way it helps a little bit. I'm taking it to an expert on Monday, but in the meantime does anyone have any ideas of what this could be? Sorry to be vague. Again, I'm very new to this, but owning a T is incredible. Thanks in advance for any advice! KCW

09-07-2017, 02:25 PM	#2
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 763	Re: 26 T pickup engine problem - need advice You possibly are not hitting on all 4 cylinders. Check that all your coils buzz. Use the hand crank with the key on and go slowly through all the cylinders. If you get a coil that does not buzz, swap it with one that does. That will tell you if the coil or something else is at fault. If all the coils buzz, check the plugs. Pull out one plug at a time, keep it attached to the wire and ground it against the engine block and watch for spark. Check that all connections to the coil box are tight. Sometimes the brass contacts in the coil box need to be sprung upwards to make better contact with the coils. Do this in a step by step way, this will isolate the problem and let you know whether it is coil, plugs or wires. Hope this helps. John

09-09-2017, 12:26 PM	#3
Sunnybrook Farm Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 409	Re: 26 T pickup engine problem - need advice See if the manifold gasket is still intact, could be sucking air.

09-09-2017, 03:04 PM	#4
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: 26 T pickup engine problem - need advice Sounds like the timing went out randomly. Not sure how that would happen and still have the spark advance correctly. Might be the easiest thing to check. __________________ <Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable

09-10-2017, 03:23 PM	#5
Mark-Ia Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 11	Re: 26 T pickup engine problem - need advice Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Either a bad coil or connection or you lost a valve head.