Happy Saturday to everyone,
I know this particular subject has been discussed countless times over the years and I have done a lot of reading on issue on the innerweb recently but I have tried several things and haven't cured a thing so I thought I would throw the issue out here on the Stovebolt!
Here's what's going on. My 1954 Chevy with 235 (Still 6V), has done this 3 times lately with this morning being the most recent. It starts just like it should when the engine is cold. The first time the issue presented itself was about 3 weeks ago when drove it to church about 10 miles from home. We stopped for breakfast, and afterward got in and started it and backed it out of the parking stop. I put it in low and started to pull forward and the engine fluttered and died.
At that point the engine just cranked and would not start. Thinking it could be a fuel problem, I walked to Wally World and bought some starting fluid but it did no good so I figured it was a firing problem. After about 45 minutes it fired up and we were able to get it home. That afternoon, I replaced the coil, condenser and points. The truck has a new 6V battery, voltage regulator, and generator and also a newly rebuilt carburetor.
Last evening, we drove it into town and filled it with fuel for today's 50 mile car show trip, It started fine at the house, started fine at the gas station and while out, we decided to grab a burger. When done, we got ready to leave, and just like the first time, it started, the engine fluttered and died. It cranked, and cranked and would not start. I tried rolling it and using the clutch to start it but it would not start.
After some time had passed, I tried it again and it cranked slow then all of the sudden it started turning faster and started and we were able to get home.
Today we were all heading to a car show and stopped about 15 miles from home to wait for some friends to arrive. After about 30 minutes, they showed up and this time when I attempted to start the truck the engine just turned over and didn't start. Finally after about 40 minutes, it fired up and we took it back home, where I messed with it for 3 hours.
Wondering if the carb could be flooding, I pulled to top off and checked the float adjustment and it was right on as per the measurements on the paper in the rebuild kit, and the bowl was about 3/4 full of gas.
I checked some other things and went out and drove it several miles and brought it back home. Waited about 15 -20 minutes and started it. This time, it just turned over a couple of times, so I put the accelerator to the floor and after a few turns, it started and spit and sputtered while I kept it running by working the pedal and it finally cleared out and ran ok.
Any thoughts on what the heck might be going on with this truck? I need it to start when it is supposed to and will go to great lengths to make it right.
Thanks!!
Kevin
