So the weather has been great, the rains have stopped for a while and I’ve been driving the roadster quite a bit. Has been running great. All of a sudden it started running worse and worse, to the point it’ll barely accelerate up the street. Pulled the plugs and they were very sooty. Cleaned and reinstalled, no change. Looked at the rotor, normal wear. Couldn’t really see inside the cap without pulling all the wires. Replaced the coil, no change. Replaced the plugs, no change. I should probably mention it’s got a Pertronix elec.ign. in place of the points, so no condenser. Either works or doesn’t I’d think. Starts right up and idles. Not as smooth an idle as normal, but OK. Under load there’s a lot of exhaust smoke and it’s really choppy sounding. It’s got dual 97’s, don’t remember the jetting, but it’s been fine up to now. It seemed to start after my last fill up. 91 octane, ethanol free from a reputable station. I’m sure open for suggestions at this point.
The power valves in Strombergs don't "blow". Could the distributor have slipped its clamp? Timing off?
Check your voltage off the generator and the battery. Check your spark off the wires. I’d suggest you stay in the electrical area.
You said... Worse and worse And... Lots of exhaust smoke And... Very sooty plugs You're running very rich all of a sudden. I'd guess a stuck Inlet needle valve or a gas logged float. First thing, I just simply rap on the inlet area of the carbs with something that won't damage anything... maybe a screwdriver handle. You might loosen a needle valve if it's stuck. See if it makes a difference. Sent from my VS835 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Kind of thinking a heavy float though. Cuz you said it quickly got worse and worse. Could be the float started taking on gas and it didn't take very long for it to get too heavy. It doesn't usually happen with metal floats. Are yours made of cork? Sent from my VS835 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It does happen though. I have seen brass {plated?} floats get a pinhole and fill up with gas and sink.
Problem solved. I don’t have the chokes connected and the one on the front carb was just slightly closed. Not even enough where you could see it, but when I moved it, I felt it tick open just a little bit. Also cleaned the sediment bowl, but after moving the choke, it revved right up nice and smooth like it always had. A little bit more exhaust than I’m used to, but I think that’s the soot burning out. I’ll know for sure when I test drive it tomorrow.
Oh yeah, I pulled a plug lead and it was throwing a 1” blue spark to the plug. And thanks for all the suggestions. Glad it was something simple.
Me too. Yup, definitely running rich LOL. I always forget about the closing chokes. I guess it happens more often than I was ever aware of. Glad you got it figured out, AC. Sent from my VS835 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Uncle Max sells a nice little pointer thing that fits into the choke arm detent. It locks the arm in the open position. Very simple and does the job.
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