I'm having some trouble with the motor and can't figure out what's going on. I've ran this motor a fair amount after breaking it in. I ran the motor with the new 97s untouched - so they had .45 jets and 65 power valves with all three carbs idling. It has a stock style pump, and I had the distributor timed on a machine (don't know the specs though). It ran great, had great throttle response, but you could tell that it was running somewhat rich. The motor also started easy too. Last week, I rejetted the carbs to .42s, and changed the power valves to 67s. I started the motor up after that and it ran fine, and had great throttle response too. It seemed to not be running so rich either from the exhaust. It's noted too, that the motor still started easy. Last Sunday, I drove the car out of the garage to the driveway. It started hard, and acted like it was flooded. Once it finally started, it idled fine but as soon as you started to crack the throttle, it would start to cut out / fall on it's face. It hardly had enough power to move the car. Once it was outside, I shut it off and restarted it after a few minutes. It seemed a lot better after this, and had enough power to pull the car back inside. Tuesday, I planned to drive the car around the block. It started fine, but was weak on power right off idle again. I let the car warm up for about 10 min, but it made no difference. I attempted to drive it around the block, but it barely had the power to pull through first gear. Wednesday night, I pulled the carb top off the front carb to check float level, and everything looked fine. I tried to restart it, but it wouldn't fire enough to start (seemed like it was really flooded). So now tonight. I changed the coil and condenser, and put some new plugs in it with no difference. Though I was finally able to get it started after retarding the timing some. After it burned out the gas from being flooded, I returned the timing to where it had been set and it seemed to idle fine. But it's back to having no power off idle, and starts to cut out. I shot a video of it below so you could hear what it was doing. Do you guys have any idea of what may be going on? I haven't tried putting the old jets and power valves in yet since it ran good after I changed them. It's definitely running rich from how the old plugs looked, and by how much black smoke is puffing from the exhaust. I don't know what it's running for fuel pressure, but again, it was ran a lot before with no issue. Looking down the carbs as it's idling, it doesn't look to have any excess fuel flowing, and same goes for when you start to open the throttle. I'm just confused because it's been running fine and now it's not. Thanks for any advice. <object height="224" width="400"> <embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/572979777309" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="224" width="400"></object>
What do the plugs look like? How strong is the spark? Are all cylinders firing? How do the idle screw tips look (any grooves, flatpoints)? Do you have a vac gauge (it will help us diagnose each cylinder, valves and timing)?
Can you post the video on some other format than facebook? I'm not alone in saying I want no part of that facebook, yet would like to help you out, TR
Today on the news, the report was that some slime balls are taking childrens pictures from that dreaded facebook site and posting them on Porn web-sites. I know there is a special corner in HELL waiting for those dirtbags.
I'll get a video up tomorrow guys. It'll take me a bit to host it on YouTube or something. Sent from my iPhone using TJJ app
What ignition is on the car? Have you checked inside the distributor to see if everything is as should be? You might need a pressure gauge and regulator for your 97's. Set it to 1-1/2 lbs and see what difference it makes. Change the filter too. Also check the inlet seats for junk holding them open since you say it kinda floods. It could be shavings from the new lines that made their way to the carbs. Are the outside carbs built to be sealed tight until the progressive linkage opens them? Meaning do you have a tight fitting butterfly, and closed idle screws?
You really can't remove power valves on 97s because they also allow fuel to pass from the accelerator circuit.
I'm running 3 new genuine 97s with straight linkage on my flathead. The jets are #43s and PVs are #69s, recommended by several flatheaders with lots of experience, and work very well, with great throttle response and good miliage in my near-sea level location. I had a problem similar to yours and it was a defective Gross inlet valve. Removing all 3 carb tops will show if there is a problem with any of the inlet valves.
Also...if you are running 3 little chrome air cleaners, do your work with those OFF. Worry about that issue later...around the block might have been enough mileage to plug up some of those things.
Well after much frustration and work, I finally solved it....the condenser. That was after I installed the old jets and power valves. So, tomorrow morning, I'll rejet them back to where I had them. Bruce, I had an original style condenser that I had got from Baxter Ford Parts. I replaced it with that FA66 part number you suggested in another thread. I'm glad to have this solved. Now I can get the engine bay squared away and the hood installed.
What condensor did you put in? I've been looking for a good source myself? I must have missed that thread.
I'm using a Borg Warner G111. It's the same as that FA66 condenser. Sent from my iPhone using TJJ app
i had a problem like this one thought it was carbs, i needed a ballast resister. sitting still great throttle responce, and great idel. under load forget it. $10.00 BALLAST RESISTER. problem solved. my coil was breaking down JAN.
I had the same problem with the engine breaking up and bogging down,running rich. I did a few things like remove the air cleaner and put on one of those open frogs mouth carb scoops.It also ran rich if my choke butterfly wasn't ALL the way open. All of that helped with it running rich. It still broke up when cruising and hit the throttle. I put in a pertronix ignition eliminator. BEST UPGRADE ON MY FLATHEAD!!! It just replaces the points and condenser and easy to install. It made an insane difference, the engine runs perfect I also upgraded 2 other points engines with the pertronix. I'll never run points again. good luck
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