The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Crazy Engine

So this weekend I finally got around to removing the transmission from my 41 chevy 3/4 ton. The day though didn't end as well as it began. My 49 chevy 2 door fleetline deluxe is being a bugger. It runs fine once you hit the sweet spots of the gears. Purs like a kitten. But the moment you release the gas she dies. I have traced this back to the carb and it needing rebuilding. It works fine if just pull out the throttle enough but then its basically cruise control on a giant boat going down gravel not fun. But this all leads to a point. I was taking some relatives out for a spin and as I reached the corner I pushed in the clutch and shed did her little dying thing no biggy I thought. Until she didn't restart. She barely had the power to turn herself over once. So we walked back the 1 and 1/4 (don't leave home without the cellphone ) and towed grabbed a tractor and pull started her. And away she went. I got her home and she still wouldn't restart again not enough battery power so I let her cool down and rest well I had cold beverage. Then I went out to attach the battery charge before I did I tried her on last time and voom she started better then she had all year. I still charge the battery to be sure it was fully charged but now I confused. My dad said the starter can get warm and be finicky what do guys think. Its a 216 carter w-1 carb in it. Orginal everything never rebuilt 32000 only new part of the engine is the fuel pump. What to do to prevent this in the future.
Thanks and sorry about the long post.

Coil could be hot and acting up?
Is your idle speed screw missing or misadjusted? This would cause it to not idle.
Check all your battery conections, and be sure you have good cables. I like 2/0 or even 3/0 for 6 volt systems.

Grigg

Delux,

It almost sounds like you are working off of GEN power as opposed to the battery. A fuel problem usually isn't instantaneous but an electrical one can be. Does your car have a ammeter on the dash...does it show the system is charging?

Your six volt starter isn't as prone to the hot start problems you hear about on the V-8s. It wouldn't be out of the question for the battery to regain a charge hefty enough to start the engine, especially if the rig had time to cool off a bit. What shape is your fan belt in? If you can start the car, watch the ammeter, turn on the lights and any other items that will draw some current...what does the ammeter do! It shouldn't swing to discharge and STAY there.

It's possible that your battery is near death and will not hold a charge. Without the proper load tester or hydrometer, you would need some parts store to check it for you. Good luck.

Stuart

When the car is running it is on the plus sign almost on the ammeter. When i turn on the lights it drops an 1/8 or less when i turn i the highbeams it bounces around like a pinball for a second or two before settle down just below were it started. So it reads it as charging. My battery is only two-three years old so and it will mantain a charge for months although i try to run the car weekly. Which is why i believe it is the generator or starter. What do you think?

Another question I had is it has been suggested to use an 8 volt. Now I use those in my 6 volt tractors to give it alittle more omph trying to start but was wondering is it safe to do that when using 50 year old wiring and fuses?

A good 6 volt battery and 2/0 or 3/0 battery cables will be just as good as an 8 volt and your old cables, and easier to deal with.

Hi Delux,
Had a similar problem a while back with my 51. It took a while but I found the carb float in my exchanged carb not set to the right height. I set it proberly and the dying out when you let the foot off the gas problem went away.

Check the water in the battery. Summer will cause it to evaporate.

You have been given some good tips to check out. For some reason, I remember that it took 15 miles at 50-60 mph to recharge the battery just to replace the energy it took to start the truck. I don't know how true it is, but I keep an eye on the battery if I just start a truck up and listen to it idle.

On the batt,,check all cables and conn,,load test the batt,,,if you have a bad cable or conn it will get hot when you engage the starter and try to turn it over so feel cables and conn when you have turned it over for some time,,,,on the carb,,if it willnot idle look down the carb to see if raw fuel is flowing as it dies if so float or needle and seat,,if no fuel look for vacum leak,,idle adj setting,,loose intake or carb base...doc