Re: Adventures with a 1955 Clipper

Posted by JWL On 2011/9/11 13:31:47

It runs!


I decided to go back to basics and check the ignition and fuel systems. The rotor, as mentioned before, was loose on the shaft. I replaced the rotor with a new one from NAPA (which fit snugly), but no difference in starting and running.

I checked the points for burning and gap, and the cap as well. All looked good. No burned points, which meant the condenser was good too. Next I screwed in a new set of spark plugs (Champion J-16Y). The old plugs looked black and fuel fouled. Still no difference in starting and running.

I rolled the engine to be on TDC for No. 1. The rotor was pointing just where it should be pointing, so I ruled out a jumped timing chain.

Then, I exchanged the coil with one that was on the car when I bought it. I had installed a vintage Auto-Lite coil to replace the Petronix unit. According to the vendor, the A-L coil was taken off of a Packard that had sat outside for 20-30 years. I was actually after the bracket, but decided to use both. The A-L coil check out at about 2 ohms, and the Petronix has a 1.5 ohm spec and checked out to this. Still no difference in starting and running.

Satisfied that the ignition system was probably not the fault I turned my attention to the fuel system. I checked the fuel filter (Carter ceramic) and it was clear. I checked the fuel pump output and pressure and it tested good. Then I removed the fuel level sight plugs in the Carter carburetor to view the fuel level in the chambers. I could see the fuel level in the secondary chamber, but not the primary. In addition, it looked like the float might be rubbing against the inside wall of the chamber.

Off with the carburetor and I removed its top. Fuel bowls were clean and nothing look amiss. I reset the floats, actually raising them about 1/8" each. Reassembled the carburetor and installed it. It tried to run, but still the same problem - it would catch and then run rough and then die.

The engine acted just like it was flooded. I opened the choke plate so that it was fully open, started the car and it started to run better clearing itself like a flooded motor. This time it kept running and sounding better.

I let the engine run for about 10-15 minutes. It would idle down and accelerate normally. I checked the timing and it was at 7 1/2 deg BTC, just where I had set it.

I believe it was a combination of old gas, too tight a choke setting, and never getting the engine to run long enough to clear itself of the excess fuel fouling.

I will see how it starts tomorrow, but I think every thing is good.

Then it will be off to the muffler shop to replace the imploded muffler.

Thanks for your attention and time with this.

(o{}o)