Aboutjack bahm Expertise Only repair type questions on the 1928-1931 Ford Model A.
Experience Owned one when I was 15 yrs old, and now have owned 5. Still own and play with 2 of them.
Organizations Oakleaf region of MARC. Model A Restorers Club.
Publications Just wrote a book, "More than you need to know about cars." Just a small book for Car Nuts. Blurb.com
Education/Credentials BSME LSU, 1958, Masters of automotive engineering from the Chrysler Institute of engineering, 1960, MBA Mich State, 1976 (I think it was 1976). Worked as an engineer at Chrysler from 1958 to the end of 1991.
Awards and Honors Two patents while working in auto industry.
Question Have a 1929 Model A Coupe. It starts sometimes, normally after we take the carb off (cold), and then put it back on. We then can get it started, but after we go around the block, shut the engine off, and try to restart it, it won't start. Adjusted timing, checked to make sure it was getting gas to the carb, checked to make sure the points were opening, but still won't fire. We checked spark, and it seems to be a little weak. We're leaning toward the coil, when it gets hot, we're getting weak spark, which in turn it won't fire. What are your thoughts on this?
Answer Get the model A mechanics hand book by les andrews. A great book for about $35 from MARC or one of the parts suppliers. We all have the book and use it all the time.
If the points have been in there a long time, change them and set the gap to no more than 0.018".
Thake off the carb and take it apart, maybe even rebuild it it with the kit from synders or brattons. Make sure the two mounting flanges, the carb and the intake manifold, are flat. File them until they clean up. Don't take the manifold off. Just use a mirror until you get it flat. Then use a new gasket.
I don't think it is the coil. Clean the plugs and gap them to around 0.030"
Make sure you have the timing right. I use a test light between the moveable point arm and ground. With the engine at TDC, Spark handle up, set the timing to where, when you pull the spark handle down 2 notches, the light goes on. This is all with the key on. Push the lever up and the light should go out. Get it like this, and the timing is perfect.
One thing that model A's do is start all the time, assuming they are set up properly.
Stick with it until you get it right and have fun with it. If you continue to have problems, get back to me. You might check the compression too.
Good luck
jack
