Guys,
I have a problem. My '46 {"Buddy") was doing so well for first several
months since I bought it. It started right up when cold, ran like a kitten,
started right up when warm - it was great.
Then . . . about two months ago, Buddy stopped behaving so well - he was
harder to start, but he started and ran well. I noticed the fuel pump was
leaking so I rebuilt it. There was no improvement in the hard starting, but
like before he started and ran O.K. One beautiful day (about 50 degrees) in
December he would not start at all so I thought that I would rebuild the
carb in an effort to return to the sweet running truck - no luck.
Things have run downhill in the last few weeks. Now he won't stay running
even after hard starting. At a stop the engine just dies. I have replaced
the plugs, checked the fuel pump, (and rebuilt the carburetor) - all with no
improvement. Here's what happens: He starts right up in about one
revolution and runs if I can keep after the adjustment of the throttle and
choke. If he dies, then it is almost impossible to restart - even with
ether. I have checked the spark and it is not as strong as I am used to
with a 12 volt system - but it seems O.K.
Here are my thoughts:
1. The heat riser is majorly stuck. Could this be the cause of not
starting or of not staying running? After all, it has gotten colder and
wetter in Austin (40's to 50's) in the last few months. See the email from
Craig, below. I think according to the manual that the heat riser is stuck
in the "heat on" position.
2. I rebuilt the carburetor incorrectly and should have paid $130 to
Carters for a rebuilt one.
3. There are so many hidden vacuum leaks in the intake manifold that the
mixture cannot be adjusted correctly. Though I have put a stopper in the
vacuum line to the windshield wipers.
4. The engine is just so tired that any small thing will make it hard to
start and run. I don't think that this is the case because when it does get
started, it feels strong, but who knows?
HELP! What do I do?
And thanks in advance.
Michael Lubitz
1946 Chevy 3/4 ton stock
1948 Chevrolet 3100, soon to be deluxe
Austin, Texas
----- Original Message -----
From: "craig k" <soundex@eden.com>
To: <mlrba@texas.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 8:40 PM
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Couple of parts questions, carburetor
> let me know if you get it free - we have the same problem!! ours is mostly
> closed; can't drive it in cold or rainy weather AT ALL, but it could be
> worse... if it gets stuck OPEN you can burn a valve!
>
> i bought another manifold, but am not yet up to redoing sealing surfaces,
> retorquing head studs, etc....
>
> craig
> caretaker of
> stephanie's 50 3104 216 5-window deluxe
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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