Mechanic, I aint....

[Deleted User]

My '36 has developed a nasty miss at higher RPMs. Seems to get progressively worse as it gets warmed up. (If this helps)

It barely got me home today from an event--I just kept keeping the rpms very low.

So any ideas?

I checked the points and timing and they are both right on the money.

Carb?

Thanks, slim



I'm very sorry for the redundency! I couldn't find my post...slim

[Deleted User]

Check out the coil and the condensor.

[Deleted User]

So 51, I can replace the condenser with a new one tomorrow, is there an easy test for the coil?

Geoff

It depends on what you describe as a "miss". If you mean a definite sharp misfire, or sharp jerking, it could be something as simple as a spark plug. However, if the car is just hesitating and spitting back through the carb, it is most likely a blocked carburettor jet. Can you give a more detailed description of the symptoms please.

Geoff.

[Deleted User]

Hey yeah, be glad to.

It is a lot more than a miss! When I give it more thottle it just "bubbles" and misses so as not to gain anymore RPM at all. When I let off to and idle (or maybe just a little more) it actually seems fine.

This is the way it got me home--very slowly...slim

[Deleted User]

Several other thoughts... if the ignition is causing the problem... check the distributor for advance problems... broken spring fallen weight, coil breakdown ...ie the lower rpms produce sufficent spark but the ever decreasing dwell shortens the coil charge time to the point it will no longer provide sufficent spark... as Geoff says... what about plugs... easy to pull them and have a look... proper firing, not fouled, no broken insulators or bad spark gaps. Check the coil tower itself... I once had a coil carbonize the tower and this caused very weak spark... bad plug or coil wires... cracked or carbon tracked cap... lots to look for that can cause this problem If the problem is just off idle I would look for a carb problem first... as was stated... dirt in the run ciruit enough to cause stumbling and hesitation.

terraplane8

sounds like condensor.

Unknown

NOW NOW, lets not get in a tizzy here , Just pull a plug wire and check for a good spark at all rpm's when warmed up . Got good spark , check fuel pump pressure, good pressure , get at the carb or crud in fuel tank or fuel filter may need a change . BUD

Unknown

I had the same problem turned out to be a bad condensor.

[Deleted User]

Please let us know what you find. I have been trying to correct the same problem in my 37. I have tried everything everone is suggesting and still have not found the problem.

Ron

Geoff

As stated, first thing to check is the spark. If that is a good fat white spark, then it is fuel supply, and this could either be a bad fuel pump, or a blocked carburettor jet. It could also be a clogged fuel line, or partially blocked intake at the tank. However, if it was a weak spark I would thnk it would also be hard to start. I suppose this car has automatic choke? To check if it s a blocked jet, try removing the air filter, and partially covering the air intake with your hand as you speed the engine up. If it a blocked jet this will increase the engine speed somewhat. Good luck

Geoff.

[Deleted User]

Eureka, Dudes and Blokes, Eureka!

It was the condenser!

I still don't know what a condenser does (condense?) but I guess I had a bad one! That's really all I did tonight, and it's fixed.:D

I will admit to putting a spot of grease on the distributor shaft, like a good boy should while you have it out. And a squirt of oil down into the shaft bushing. Oh, and I hit the top of the rotor cap with a piece of emery cloth to polish it up a bit, but that's absolutely it, besides the condenser exchange.



Man, it's great to have my car back! Thanks guys.

I swapped out the part and kicked off down the alley and around the corner, purposely running her a little hard, to get the temperature up as quickly as I could. A block down the neighborhood street there is one of those digital speed limit signs to remind you if you are going too fast and sure, nuff, the ole 'plane had it a'flashing!

On down around the lake, purposely running slow up the hill in too high a gear, (sorry, pal) til the temp guage crept up to mid-temps. This is the area where it wouldn't run yesterday. NO MISS. PERFECT SOUND!

I swear, it hasn't run this good in a long time. (Maybe a little help from the slight timing and points adjustment I made yesterday). Even the brakes feel better!

Could it be that the condenser has been acting up ie. going bad for some time?

Oh, and did I mention "THANKS FOR THE TIPS AND ENCOURAGEMENT".

You guys rock.:):)...slim

[Deleted User]

Great stuff Slim. With the symptoms you gave thats the first place I look. Of course I have a full scope so its a little easier for me to diagnose. Glad the advice helped. Seems simple but the condensor plays a big part in the ignition.