HI guys, Need help to determine the problem.... kind of baffled and unable to pin point the issue below:
About car: 1952 Dodge coronet, Flat six cyl. 230 230 cu in (3.8 L) 103hp, 2 speed Gyromatic or Fluid drive.
Problem: It is an intermittent problem. Unable to start, I can crank the engine but it does not fire.
Problem history: Car does run but give me hard time start. for example I had the car running yesterday and must have drove about 10 miles came back home parked on the driveway and that was it. Unable to start again. This has happen multiple time in past. I can crank the engine but engine does not fire.
Last time with this problem I found issues with the spark plug solid core wires and wires were replaced few years ago. Noticed one of the wire has spark leak so decided to replace all solid core wires once again. Problem was fixed for couple of days but again I drove the card yesterday for 10 miles or so, came back, parked the car and same symptoms and unable to fire the engine.
Checked all distributor wires, and spark plugs are fine - they are not wet or engine seems flooded, spark plug wires are all connected firmly. Replaced distributor cap, and rotor but no difference. I have not replace the points but the is my next action...
One think I did notice that I have a low compression 75-80 lbs on all cylinder when this car should have about 105 lbs
Do you think the problem could be related with the missing heat shield that goes under the manifold intake ? Someone was saying when car gets heated, without the heat shield it evaporate fuel in the carburetor and that may cause problem firing engine. The reason I don not think heat shield an issue because I am unable to start cold engine as well. It just cranks without firing the engine.
Any help is appreciated. thx