Hot Rods Not Starting (here's one for ya!) RESOLVED

Easy enough to check a valve timing slip with a compression test. IF it passes the compression test, then and only then can you apply F A S T trouble shooting without tail chasing. Fuel air spark timing.

 

Yeah it could be as simple as a bad condenser. I did a timing chain R&R once only to find out it was a bad condenser. The moral: when throwing guesses and parts at a problem start with the easiest and cheapest.

 

I checked the pass bank of plugs....I guess I should check them all.

I still think it is carb related as it attempts to run but quits real quick.
I'm going to try a few things with the carb before I give that idea up

 

Had same problem it took me days it was the coil just try a new it should be easy to install Rog

 

Well, still no luck......pulled the rear needle valve.....saw nothing...cleaned it anyway....reinstalled.....reset....still no start.
I did manage to ruin the bottom nut gasket so I have ordered a pack of both top and bottom gaskets.

Next is to test and if bad, replace the condenser.
I know they don't like water and I've had a few rad problems that have spilled in that area......so who knows!
The saga continues..........

 

Broken camshaft??

 

check the flow of the fuel pump . also some holleys have a screen in the inlet assy that will plug up . and if its plugged your needing a fuel filter . but if the flow is weak form the tank .try blowing air backwords thru it to make sure the intank screen is not clogged . I have found weird stuff infuel tanks over the years , rags , paper labels , ect .

 

verde742......oh my.....ouch, that would definitely no be good!

stimpy.......yup one of the first things I checked....clean as a whistle. Both tanks from Tanks are new!

 

short story: a mechanic that rented from me,,, guy brought him a 59 Pontiac wagon, ran good then stopped continually, he blew on gas line , it would start and drive away. Soon it would be back, same deal, suck and blow, started, ran. Buck would try every way he knew: to keep from dropping that damn gas tank. after getting sick from sucking on the gas line for a couple weeks, he dropped tank. Inside he found a complete totally intact, hairless, large mouse. He showed me, and I started puking. 20 years ago, and I still wake up almost throwing up.

 

verde742......yuk! I have no problem with fuel to the carb and with two tanks.........chances of both being clogged....hmmmmm.

 

Does it run a ballast resistor in the ignition system? Only run when you are cranking it,quits when you let off of the key? Bad resistor.

 

I'm waiting!

 

Whats the word? Thunderbird! Whats the price? Two Fifty Twice!! There once was a man from Nantucket, aah never mind!! UPDATES!!! Pete

 

Yes, there is a ballast resistor.....swapped it out for another.......no change!

Buddy of mine (licensed mechanic) will be here tomorrow to have a look.
Hang on!

I want this resolve more than anything........we only get so many summer driving days and they are slipping by under my nose!!!

 

Good luck!! Yes winter is coming!! Probably a little earlier for you up in Canada!! Pete

 

I'd bet condensor. Have run across two times in my life, (+ 1/2 century). They only cost a couple bucks. Put one in. If not it, you have a spare for next time. Second time I came across bad condensor was in an outboard motor. The power unit itself was a Crosley 4cyl, 4 cycle, car engine stood on end. The very good veteran mechanic had tried everything carb & fuel related as by it's antics that is what he thought it was. He sent me to replace coil, on hunch / personal experience I replaced condensor. That was it. The outboard motor was a Westinghouse as I recall, a real oddball.

Good luck,
Worken2much

 

AS Cajun says
Do a compression test first, then carb, ignition, etc

 

I'm checking our part suppliers here to see if I can obtain a condenser for my Bubba restored crab dizzy? We are pretty limited and the folks behind the counter.....if it ain't in their computer inventory......it's unobtainable!
I'll take a compression check also.

 

As I suspected......no condensers here to be had.
NAPA can get one with a shipping charge special order for an xtra $15 or wait 2 weeks for regular shipment!
Bubba tells me it's a NAPA # FA54.

I do have a very old one off of a very old dizzy.....I may just try it.........couldn't get worse....or?

 

Borrow one off any old 60's to 70's Ford to see if it makes any difference. Any difference in the micro-farad rating won't kill the points too fast.

 

Have you checked timing yet? A freshly rebuilt engine means an engine that hasn't been through the paces and worked the bugs out.

I as working on truck that was really hard starting, like 2 battery charges worth of cranking, the right pumping combination, and wearing your lucky underwear and it would start and run okay. I set the timing probably ten times based on the marks.... turned out the timing gear had slipped on the distributor shaft. Cranked it over and turned the dist. until it started and it ran great.

Also had a freshly rebuild motor in different truck and it fired up 1st try and ran great for a couple minutes then started running rough and died, tried to start it back up and it was popping and farting like the timing was off then nothing. Pulled the dist. and the rotor wasn't turning, one of the worse feelings I have ever had ensued. Turns out the distributor (fresh rebuilt dist) had seized and stripped the cam gear... and filled my fresh motor with gear teeth and metal dust.

Check your compression and timing and good luck!

 

worken2much......JackdeRabbit.....badshifter.....you're the winners......bad condenser!
The old and who knows how old this condenser is.....but after the install......first 1/2 sec crank......BINGO we have lift off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will have multiple on hand shortly....

Now to replace that torn lower needle valve gasket and I'm on the road again.....hmmmm sounds like a good title for a song!

I can't thank everyone who contributed to this issue........H.A.M.B. rules!!!!!

 

"She done tore out my needle valve gasket and stomped that sucker flat"...I think I heard it on the radio already.

 

Yeeeeha!

 

Idiot condenser. I had gone through many acrobatics on a friends car because the same thing happened.
After doing a tuneup, gas hose, filter, all the regulars, the condenser wire, which had one strand holding hands, broke. VOIALA!! New condenser, all better.
I have about 50 of em now, from junkyards and other places.

 

That's one piece you really have little control over.....that's for sure and can mess up your day(s) big time!

 

Waaal,...Shut Mah Mouth! The smoke test wouldn't have suggested a bad condenser...but I have a coil & condenser tester.
...And after 55 years in the trade, I've succumbed to using it (when in doubt!)

Congrats! And, as Alchemy stated: most will work. I keep a stock of Bosch VW condensors for use on Ford crab distributors, work great and are easy to mount, 'super-sano'. (remember that one? Half Moon Bay drag strip jargon from 'back then'...)

 

GREAT !!! This was fun......

 

verde742........verdy interestink! for sure.....

 

Yeeeehaw!
90% of carburetor issues really are electrical in nature