another problem..

[flattiefreak]

After a month of a great running 230 flathead, I picked up a new problem yesterday. Engine is rebuilt,,rebuilt carb..dwell is within spec and plugs are gapped correctly..I noticed that the engine started cutting out or becoming jerky in 2nd and 3rd gear and suddenly lost alot of power..For a moment I could press the gas to the floor and nothing would happen. I stopped for about 5 seconds with engine still running and put it in first and drove very slowly the rest of the way home. It was still jumpy and weak, but I made it home. It even backfired through the carb once.... One day it runs great, then the next its like this. I replaced the coil and it didnt clear up..The wire in the distributor looks okay. Im thinking its either the condensor or low float level..?? What does it sound like to you experts??

thanks

[Niel Hoback]

Not an expert here, but it sounds more like a lack of fuel. Check your filters and watch for a good squirt at the accelerator pump.

[flattiefreak]

Thank you ..I should also mention that in neutral it runs perfectly and I can rev up with engine with no problem.

[55 Fargo]

After a month of a great running 230 flathead, I picked up a new problem yesterday. Engine is rebuilt,,rebuilt carb..dwell is within spec and plugs are gapped correctly..I noticed that the engine started cutting out or becoming jerky in 2nd and 3rd gear and suddenly lost alot of power..For a moment I could press the gas to the floor and nothing would happen. I stopped for about 5 seconds with engine still running and put it in first and drove very slowly the rest of the way home. It was still jumpy and weak, but I made it home. It even backfired through the carb once.... One day it runs great, then the next its like this. I replaced the coil and it didnt clear up..The wire in the distributor looks okay. Im thinking its either the condensor or low float level..?? What does it sound like to you experts??

thanks

How about fuel delivery, could it be your fuel pump is not delivering fuel as it should be, or the fuel line from tank is restricted, what kind of fuel filter do you use?

Or what about the points, did you recheck the gap, and the contact condition?

How well does it start, is there decent fuel delivery?

[flattiefreak]

I have an electric pump in series with the mechanical one. The fuel line looks good and Im running 3 filters. One in the tank, outside the tank, and one after the mech fuel pump.

[flattiefreak]

The car starts great. I can barely touch the key and it starts cold or hot..

[flattiefreak]

and I also rechecked the points and they look fine

[55 Fargo]

and I also rechecked the points and they look fine

Coil wire? Distributor vacuum advance?

[flattiefreak]

The advance is fine as well as the wires

[greg g]

but what is the actual rate of fuel flow. Just because the pump is working and fuel is passing through the filters doesn't mean the volume is sufficient for running under load.

[T120]

...possibly restriction in the short flexible hose to the mechanical fuel pump?

[Robert Horne]

Thank you ..I should also mention that in neutral it runs perfectly and I can rev up with engine with no problem.

I had a problem very similar to this years ago. My engine would start up easy, rev up very good in neutral, but was terrible when driving. After a lot changing parts, etc. the problem was caused by the distributer shaft being too tight, causing the timing to delay. Has been very good for years now.......

[White Spyder]

...possibly restriction in the short flexible hose to the mechanical fuel pump?

Just as I was trying to buy my car this hose got some trash in it that caused the issue the O.P. is having. At idle and very low speed there was enough fuel to run like a dream. Under load, issues. When we stopped to look, the pump cought up and filled the bowl in the carburetor and the car ran great.

It would not surprise me that during the rebuild that something got in the fuel line.

[Young Ed]

Hit anything lately? Your car sounds about like what my dakota is doing with a restriction in the exhaust. Dads 39 plymouth had this issue once too. His exhaust pipe was too long and when packing in he hit the garage or something and folded that sucker over. We were out on some sorta plymouth club trip so the tire iron went into the pipe and pulled it back straight. After we got home we sawed off a few inches so it wasnt beyond the bumper so far anymore.

[flattiefreak]

How exactly do I check the rate of fuel flow? Do I just blow out the lines?? I havent hit anything to damage the exhaust. I dont have a metal fuel line. The guy who welded in new floor pans broke the line and replaced the whole thing with a rubber line. Is this a problem??

[Jim Saraceno]

There are two tests you do to test the fuel flow. 1. PSI with a vacuum/pressure gauge (4 1/2#s) and 2. volume test (5-6 ounces in 15 pumps).

Both procedures are described in the service manual and I agree with previous posts that this sounds like a fuel problem.

Do those two tests before you start replacing things haphazardly.

[greg g]

engage the pump and direct the out put into a suitable container, proper flow is time X flow = volume. Don;t know how much you electric is supposed to flow. but rule of thumb might be 1 ounce per second.

[PatS....]

Christian, the rubber fuel line may be collapsing because of vaccum when the fuel pump is working harder than idle.

Try loosening the gas cap and take it for a drive. You might have to replace the rubber line with steel if that cures the problem.

[55 Fargo]

Christian, the rubber fuel line may be collapsing because of vaccum when the fuel pump is working harder than idle.

Try loosening the gas cap and take it for a drive. You might have to replace the rubber line with steel if that cures the problem.

Yes that type of thing could be a real possibility, right on Pat....

[flattiefreak]

Alright, I will do the testto how how much fuel is flowing. I wil also replace the hose wiyth a steel line. Whatr size line should I use??

[1941Rick]

Check to see if it is pinched.....sounds like lack of fuel....

[flattiefreak]

Crawled under and didnt see anything pinched..

[PatS....]

Alright, I will do the testto how how much fuel is flowing. I wil also replace the hose wiyth a steel line. Whatr size line should I use??

Take the gas cap off and take it for a drive first before you replace the hose with steel...might not be the problem but very easy to test...just go around the block.

[windsor8]

...possibly restriction in the short flexible hose to the mechanical fuel pump?

This was an issue once on my 41 Chrysler.

[flattiefreak]

The type of cap im using is vented. Plus I have a vent hose on the tank..