The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Running Better, not the best!

Got my 49 running better today. Was weird, checking cyls by pulling off wires and cyls started to run with wires backed off some and arcing to plug. Did that on three cyls. Ran like new engine almost. Put wire back on, quit on each cyl. 1 and 6 were most important to keep running. Pulled 1 and it quit "right now". Why is this happening? I went and bought new plug wires, didn't change much at first, then seemed to be better after a drive, but was still missing some. Has new cap, 303 Autolite plugs, points and etc from last owner. These are supposed to be Resistor plugs according to Auto-Zone. Still gotta pull the coil and see what volt it is. It looks kinda new also. All the bulbs and headlights are still 6-volts. I put on a one-wire alt today, now got it charging again. Auto-zone had the one-wire ready to go in box. Number DL7140M. First one ready to go, they ever had when I was looking for one in past. Headlights are torn down, what a mess. Gonna look for some diff buckets maybe. I did blast all the parts, but not too nice. The lights were just bouncing around in there, no springs at the one side! Even the trim rings were just setting there, no screws, cause the tab on bucket was gone! Sheesh! Glad they didn't fall out on way home!
I did take it for a spin when running better, got through all the gears with some pull, not weak as before. Would have been a lot better ride home for sure. The rear brakes lock up when using, almost seems like only rears working, not fronts. Have to check adjust on those. Bet I have a leaky cyl on one side at rear. I think my vac advance is shot, no movement there. Get vac at tube, just barely moves dizzy when I rev it. Might be some of my power problem too. I tried to time, but light acted up, some thing with the darn bulb in tip, plus too big to get in there. I thought I timed my 54 on right side of engine, by starter, but this one has the hole on intake side. Am I dreaming? I was also thinking the gen was on right, but I must be wrong. I didn't remember having to run the wire all the way around under hood to get to starter on the 54. This thing runs too mechanically quiet, not much valve clatter. I'm wondering if someone has valves too tight, another poor perf probability?

When you pull a plug wire off & hold it near the plug, it increases the ignition arc. You have a weak ignition or compression or fuel mixture, the extra punch from holding the wire away is making those cylinders fire. Brian

Letting the spark jump from the wire to the plug allows voltage to build up and jump instead of just leaking away as it develops. That's usually a sign of a carbon-fouled or oil-fouled plug. Also look into very wrong fuel mixture, either too rich or too lean.
Jerry

Glad to see your making progress on my 54 the generatoris on the left(drivers) side same with the 38