Truckers-
Is it possible my '48 3100 is not Y2K compliant? Here's the deal..... I
was going to change the oil, so a long ride seemed the way to get her warmed
up. About three miles out (going up a slight grade in OD at 55 mph) I heard
a noise that sounded like engine pinging. It went away when I let up on the
gas, came back when I stepped down on the pedal. Almost immediately, she
started to lose power, so I took it out of OD. Still losing power, it acted
like it was running out of gas (Just put in gas). Liberal amounts of choke
kept it from dying and got me past the very large dog that had taken chase,
but within 500 yards she stopped. It would refire only with massive amounts
of choke, but only to sputter dead again with much white smoke out the tail
pipe.
After towing her home I started the look/fix phase. Here is what I have
done so far:
1. Checked plugs - wet from all the choking otherwise good (.035)
2. Checked points - slightly worn, replaced. (.020)
3. Checked condenser - with a multimeter, not shorted.
4. Checked coil with multimeter - not open.
5. Replaced wires - wanted to do for some time.
6. Rebuilt carb - float valve seemed very sticky.
7. Checked timing - #1 piston was at TDC when rotor pointing at #1. (There
is no ball on my flywheel)
8. Checked all rockers/pushrods - all go up and down, none bent.
9. Checked vacuum advance & wiper motor for vacuum leaks, both OK.
10. Checked fuel pump - good pressure and volume.
11. Checked compression - 160 on all cylinders.
12. Checked spark at plugs - OK, but seemed a little weak-no big blue flash.
After all this was done attempts to start produced only a large plume of whi
te smoke out through the carb (air cleaner ON) and vacuum wipers that went
nuts. I assume this was some sort of backfire thru the intake.
Well, now I need some help. Don't yell, but when I rebuilt this thing, I
reused the fiber gear on the cam to save a few bucks. Could this thing have
lost some teeth and slipped valve timing? How can I confirm it before
dropping the pan and ripping the whole front off the truck? Please, give me
any and all ideas as I have come to the end of my expertise. Thanks.
Mike Klepp
'48 3100
Wichita Falls, TX
(At least my toilets and computer work)
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