1948 Dodge D-24 Custom 4-door (non-starting)

[Rider145]

Hello Everybody,

Just being a non-mechanical person, I hope I can ask a question and get some feedback on a strange issue.

I got the car back from the garage and had been driving it around for a few days. Excellent running and driving and love driving it around.

Three days ago (two days after the last time I drove it), I stared it up and tried to back it out of the garage, and it stalled. I assumed it was just not yet warmed up, so I started it again..and again..and again...it would not stay running, backfired with black gusts of smoke, even with the pedal pressed down all the way...pumping the pedal gave a little longer running time..but not way near full throttle.

Now, it wont even start. Motor tuns over nicely and smoothly.

Someone looked at it and told me the points are good with sparks, coil is good, carb is good, no water in the gas, getting lots of gas through the pedal, timing mark is lined up. He can't figure it out, and he is a journeyman mechanic. He told me the only possibilty now is the timing chain/gear may have slipped one cog, even though the mark is lined up.

Is this possible and have you ever heard of this situation?

Help!!!!!

[Plymouthy Adams]

when you say the carb is good..I would not rule out the eventual sticking of the float needle and valve assembly for having a piece of trash beneath causing you to stayin a flooded condition..explain the once of twice to try restart but eventual fail to run with black smoke out the exhaust..this sticking can occur anytime..anyuwhre in a old sytem and even one that has been boiled out and resealed as oft time even the sealant will break away and lodge here..the clearance is not that great..

[Rider145]

when you say the carb is good..I would not rule out the eventual sticking of the float needle and valve assembly for having a piece of trash beneath causing you to stayin a flooded condition..explain the once of twice to try restart but eventual fail to run with black smoke out the exhaust..this sticking can occur anytime..anyuwhre in a old sytem and even one that has been boiled out and resealed as oft time even the sealant will break away and lodge here..the clearance is not that great..

The carb was taken apart and the gas soaked up to ensure there was no water mixed in the gas. After trying to start it, the carb was not flooded.

As for the starting...after it stalled, I had started it a few times (5 or 6) and it not stay running...just stalling. The last two times it was started, it backfired...it has never backfired previously. The plugs were removed and cleaned, the points show good spark, but could have been stronger, coil wire has good connections, distributor cap pulled and checked, everything lined up manually for timing and the white line is lined up.

I had some work done recently, the only portion that affected the engine was to replace the intake manifold gasket, if that means anything.

This is very strange.

Oh, yes, there is gas in the tank, by the way.

Rick