fourwheeler04073 Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Hey guys, I've been dealing with an issue for quite some time that just has me stumped. I have a 218 3spd in my 53 Cambridge. I haven't been able to give it more than 1/2 throttle or it stumbles and breaks down. It will idle perfectly. I have replaced the following: points, cap, plugs & wires, coil, fuel filter, and just sent the carb out to be completely disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt. Not sure what I'm missing any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Have you checked your vacuum advance for leakage ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmcdowel Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 I'm wondering if the fuel pump isn't failing as the engine speed increases....or perhaps the line from the tank (or in the tank itself) doesn't have a restriction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
De55 Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Ditto on the fuel pump. Last summer my '51 Desoto was doing the same thing, especially trying to go up a hill. I did everything else, just as you did but it turned out to be the fuel pump. Changed it and problem gone. It had me puzzled because it started right up and would idle all day.....just couldn't put a load on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knuckleharley Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Is there any chanc Hey guys, I've been dealing with an issue for quite some time that just has me stumped. I have a 218 3spd in my 53 Cambridge. I haven't been able to give it more than 1/2 throttle or it stumbles and breaks down. It will idle perfectly. I have replaced the following: points, cap, plugs & wires, coil, fuel filter, and just sent the carb out to be completely disassembled, cleaned and rebuilt. Not sure what I'm missing any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Is there any chance you might have a pin hole in a gas line? The only way I really know to test one is to unscrew it from the tank and the fuel pump,and then block the line and put some air pressure on it with something like a Mighty Mac hand pump. If the air pressure drops,you have a leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 are you certain your tune up parts are for the correct series distributor. Over the years it could well have been changed to the other model.....verify your distributor parts by tag on the distributor body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Have you done the fuel flow quantity test suggested in the service manual? Unless you are sure that the fump is pumping the correct capacity, all other adjustments are pretty much moot. If you are getting proper flow, what do your plugs look like? Is your exhaust clear or is black smoke and gas smell in evidence? What did your compression test reading tell you about the general condition of your engine? Have you done a vacuum gauge test? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Have you installed the rebuilt carburetor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Lots of good suggestions in the previous posts but I'd like to add one: On some of the newer point sets there is a separate spring that needs to be installed on the contact arm. If missing then the spring action is only from the copper conductor and the car may start and idle but not run at higher RPM. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barabbas Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Lots of good suggestions in the previous posts but I'd like to add one: On some of the newer point sets there is a separate spring that needs to be installed on the contact arm. If missing then the spring action is only from the copper conductor and the car may start and idle but not run at higher RPM. Yep, did exactly this "dumb" thing and it idled and ran fine--until about 45mph and then lost all power 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted April 12, 2016 Report Share Posted April 12, 2016 Yep, did exactly this "dumb" thing and it idled and ran fine--until about 45mph and then lost all power Yup... I did that once too. Could barely get over 40 MPH and the engine would start cutting out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldguy48 Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 When you changed out the distributor internals, did you also change the condenser? Not certain if this could be the culprit, but it's easy enough to try swapping it out if you haven't already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourwheeler04073 Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Thanks guys, I'll check the spring on the contact arm today. I haven't done a compression test yet. I was thinking it may be fuel pump but wasn't sure how to test it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourwheeler04073 Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Don Coatney, I just put the carb back on Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Thanks guys, I'll check the spring on the contact arm today. I haven't done a compression test yet. I was thinking it may be fuel pump but wasn't sure how to test it. Test for fuel pump is in the factory service manual which you should have a copy of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Roberts Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 There is a wire in your distributor that moves every time that you use the throttle . The wire is attached to a plate . If the wire is touching metal where it shouldn't , then your engine will cut out when you use the throttle . Lots of times the insulation gets worn off or the wire could be broken inside of the insulation . The wire is made of very fine strands because it has to flex a lot . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
50 coupe Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Yup... I did that once too. Could barely get over 40 MPH and the engine would start cutting out. Hahaha, me three. At least it was an easy fix!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourwheeler04073 Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 I don't have a small spring on mine. Should it have come with the points? What's the best brand or place to buy them? I bought mine at NAPA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barabbas Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 they are not spirol springs but stainless steel looking leaf springs--they are the same basic shape as the copper connector that goes from the pivot point to the coil connection 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 they are not spirol springs but stainless steel looking leaf springs--they are the same basic shape as the copper connector that goes from the pivot point to the coil connection As pictured. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourwheeler04073 Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thanks Don Coatney, I'll check for that when I get home from work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grdpa's 50 Dodge Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Another fuel issue is I had a fuel hose before the pump collapse on the inside. Or have heard of a clog inside the tank. The electrical issues talked about above would be a great thing to check also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Roberts Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 I don't have a small spring on mine. Should it have come with the points? What's the best brand or place to buy them? I bought mine at NAPA Not all points came with the spring that is mentioned . There are different models from different companies . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iowa51 Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 I will throw this out as a possible cause even though it usually causes hard starting. Did you hook the wires up correctly on the coil when you replaced it? With the positive ground I hooked mine up backwards and it ran, but had starting/performance issues until I switched the wires to the correct sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.