Hot Rods Shoebox let me down...

For the first time since it's been on the road, my '50 Ford let me down. It's been on the road since 2011. 302/C4 combo. The drivetrain came out of my '51 that met it's demise via Mother Nature. Had the trans gone through before putting it on the road. This morning (28*) I hopped in, hit the key...took 3 tries to get it started. It's always ran great. Backed down the driveway, put it in drive and it fell on it's face. Turned around, got the O/T daily and headed for work. I'm gonna start with fresh spark plugs (been in there since day 1) and go from there.
Overall, this car doesn't owe me a dime. Most reliable car I've ever had!

 

Eh, you'll get her right Pete. Keep us updated.

 

I can come pick up that old broke down car for you.

I drive a 64 C10 every day that I'm home (5 days a week right now). It has only failed me once....I was able to get it turned around by coasting backwards and doing a backwards U turn...and then coasted all the way to my driveway. Ended up being a fuel filter, which I had heard the pump being louder than normal and thinking I needed to check it out. Good thing it was all downhill! But not bad for an old car.

 

If you are running points.....two things
1st, condenser!!!
2nd...The overall status of the distributor itself and this may even relate to the duraspark stuff...

I don't know if it's bushing wear or what but I have had two Ford distributors roll over and float to the top of the bowl.
The engine done well. Then suddenly it fell on it's face. It was almost like it jumped time. I went through all the procedures....around and around with that SBF. It was like it had a wandering zero. I put a 1964 unit in it. It cranked up and purred like a kitten. A few years later...a similar thing. It was all over the place. I replaced that unit with a Mallory it purred like a kitten.

If it has a wandering zero and is all over the place after the tune up procedures, If you have a extra "known" good distributor, try it and see how it does.

 

Hopefully it's just a lack of maintenance, nothing serious. If so, then a gentle reminder about the need to keep things up to snuff, can be a good thing.

 

Has a GM style HEI. They're ugly but they just plain work. I have a pile of brand new GM HEI caps, rotors, modules, etc. May as well change it all out.

 

Probably it! It's been so relaible I just got in the habit of get in and go. It'll be right this weekend and back on the road for the next 10 years!

 

Its either fuel of spark. Find out and go from there.

If it's an aftermarket HEI style, that may be the problem after 10 years.

 

I've had HEI rotors carbon track through the center, and stop the car. Easy check.

 

Too bad, it's such a good looking car too.

 

If your running an Edelbrock carb...take a look there.
Every spring, when I would get the Sedan Deliv out (302/c6), it was a crap-shoot whether the carb survived the previous years ethanol gas. I always had a cleaned and rebuilt carb (1406) ready to switch out...happened about every 3 years.

 

I've been having issues with gasoline lately. My trusty old 2001 one ton Chevy work truck was acting up the other day. I put some fresh gas and sure enough as I was going down the road she kept getting smoother and smoother until all the stumble and miss was gone..
I hope your running a return line from the engine to the tank. There pretty much a need with todays moisture sucking ethanol gasoline.. There is nothing wrong with todays gasoline blends as long as you build your engine to run on them..

 

Fired right up after work but didn't have time to drive it. I’m sure it just needs some attention. It’ll get fixed Sat. I hate the thought of it not running right.

 

I’d say you let your shoebox down.
10 years without a tune up, gosh !! I’m lazy but c’mon man !! 10 years !!!