Expert: jack bahm - 7/16/2008

Question
I have a 1939 plymouth truck with a flathead 6 engine. When I first start it up it runs well until it gets hot. Once the engine is hot (190 to 200 degrees)the motor runs poorly losses power, sputters, has almost no power and is hard to keep it running. Shut it of and cool it down to 160 degrees and it runs ok again until it gets hot.  Any ideas. I have done a tune up cleaned the fuel bowl and other things to no avail. Please help before I start parts changing.

Answer
Make sure you plugs are clean.
Look for hot spots in the fuel line.  A line may be running close to something hot, like the exhaust system.  Is the carb getting hot for some reason????  Look at it.  Do you have a gasket between the carb and intake manifold???
Make sure the ignition condenser is a good one.  I once put in a new one, and it was bad.  Took me a long time to figure that out.  I assumed that because it was new, it must be good  WRONG !!!!
Next time it gets hot and acts up, douse the fuel area with cool water and see if that helps.  If it does, then you know that it is hot fuel related.  Make sure the fuel line from the tank is clear.  if plugged, you can get vapor lock.  make sure.
That's all I can think about now.  Good luck with you car.
jack