Hi Nate, Sounds like the points have closed up Or the spark plug wires are defective. Another thing that could be wrong are the spark plugs. Do you have Champions in it? Years ago I put in a set of Champions in my 55 Customline. They were in the car about 2500 miles and it did the same thing you are describing. Being frantic about the problem the points were adjusted dwell angle was checked etc. to no avail. The Mechanic at the gas station told me to change the plugs and put some Autolites in it which I did and the problem was solved.Even though the factory put Champions in the engine when it was new I have never used Champions again. I always use either Mortorcraft or Autolite Plugs. Hope this helps.

Craig, Andy of (Mayberry)

Nate: If you were already having fuel system problems, a new fuel filter should have been first on your to do list.. before you put a new carb on! Example; Pony Carbs out of N.Y. state in there paper work, for a redone carb, used to say "no new filter," "warrantee is void"!

Paul

I had the same issue crop up. Sudden stumbling under acceleration. I also noticed harder to start when hot. Once up to speed it was fine. It was the coil going bad. Replaced the coil problem was solved.

Nate,

Have you a fuel filter in your fuel system yet? Fixing the symptom will never fix the cause.

cheers

Warren

  

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

So I did the hand (actual block of wood) over the carb a few times to try and suck out any blockage.  It seems to have done the trick, it immediately started better.  No more dying after starting.  And when I drove her, it only sumbled one more time and hasn't done it since!   Only time will tell if this was it.

Just to be safe I dumped in a can of fuel system cleaner into the tank.  I should probably get a fuel filter in line before the carb soon too.

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

Two other things to check if stumbling under load is a cracked distributor cap or a bad coil. Didn't read thru whole dialog so if this has already been addressed. Sorry. Marc

thanks guys hopefully I'll have some time tomorrow to try some stuff.  I'll keep you posted.

Nate - Madison, Wisconsin

 

56 Ford Customline Sedan

 

Guy's,

I've had two pumps that failed and the car still ran (just). one had the pivot of the pump arm wriggle out of position which mean that the pump often pumped normal and ran fine then disengaged & left the engine run out of fuel.

The other the the valves were about to go and would provide sufficient fuel at idle but insufficient for road speed.

I have recently installed a FE fuel pump on my Y. I thought my pump was fine but was worried because of it's age that it would leave me somewhere. I have installed electric wipers and have no need for vacuum I got an improvement across the board even at idle.

There's a lot to be said for getting enough fuel at the right pressure.

cheers

Warren

Grizzly (Aussie Mainline)

As Steve says the fact that you can drive the car certainly suggests that the fuel pump is working. The needle and seat in the car by may have a bit of crud stuck in it which is restricting fuel flow. The idea that aussiebill once mentioned is a good idea too. That is with the air filter off the car rev the engine and block the top of the carby quickly with your hand til it almost dies. This may suck stuff through blocked jets but will do nothing for anything stuck in the needle and seat.

I have experienced symptoms like this also if the ignition ponta are too close or worn. As John says maybe the Bakelite has broken off the point rubbing block. You can visually check this by turning the engine over by hand and watching the points to see if they open. You should have gap about the width of a worn hacksaw blade. If you haven't touched the distributor this is something to maybe check.

The effect of either of these two faults is low fuel or low spark voltage/charge which will give similar symptoms. It would be easy to check which fault it has with a manual choke.

Hope this helps

Regards


Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

Could just pull a plug and see if it's white as a ghost. Sticking float??? Fuel pump must be getting something up there or you couldn't recover by pumping the accelerator pump.

When you do have to look for a fuel pump - do you have room under it for the FE truck style canister fuel filter? If so, go that way, makes future service way easier (and not much if any additional cost).

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona