I have yet to experience anything negative related to ethanol.

Regardless, he's been running the same carbs for years so it's probably not related to ethanol in the fuel as it would be nothing new.


Lawrenceville, GA

Charlie, Maybe, but the ethanol seems to be hard on accel. piston rubber and Viton needles. So i'm wondering Dennis if you've checked fuel pressure and for sticking needle. I run brass ones in mine just because, and I have had trouble with the needles and pistons getting soft and sticking.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Frank, I've had the same problem with ethanol making the needle seat stick. I suppose that's why ford dealerships offer ethanol treatment products now as well as auto parts stores.

-Gary Burnette-

I got the timing cover back on tonight. Cam was timed right. Should be able to finish tomorrow and start it.
The carbs all have fuel, I loosened the linkage and tried each carb separately and the motor rev'ed.

I'll try it on the center carb only tomorrow. The ford race at Maple Grove is this weekend, I hope I can get it running.

  Dennis in Lititz PA

Do yourself a favor and break out the ignition timing light before you tear into the carbs.

[quote]pegleg (8/12/2013)

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Charlie, Maybe, but the ethanol seems to be hard on accel. piston rubber and Viton needles.

For what it's worth, I haven't had any needle or accel. pump issues since I quit using Sta-bil (tip I got from a Pony Carb. tech). There are usually enough dry days over the winter to allow cycling of old gas, and topping off with fresh.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Which bring up a point. Dennis, how old is the gas in your tank? The "New and Improved" gas of today with ethenol likes to absorb moisture and doesn't 'stay fresh' as gas of the past. just trying to think outside the box...

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Dennis

Pegleg is on the right track, put a fuel preasure gauge on it if you dont have one. check the preasure when the engine starts to have problems. Weak fuel preasure can cause a lot of problems.

Gary Ryan San Antonio.TX.

'The Master Cylinder' makes a good point regarding the nature of ethanol to absorb moisture over time. Another issue that can occur with vehicles that sit for a period of time between uses (fire trucks) is phase separation.

I was interested in the comment from Daniel regarding the use of Sta-Bil fuel additive. Unfortunate that Pony Carburetors has closed...

I'm with Gary B. and Frank regarding problems with Viton needle and seats, and the possibility of problems with accelerator pump pistons with the 3x2 set-ups. I've had friends that have had other rubber (neoprene) parts [hoses, diaphragms] softened by ethanol, too. -Some of the advertisers of carburetor and fuel pump rebuild kits are now hyping that their components are ethanol compatible.

As Gary Ryan suggested, I also would recommend checking fuel pressure. With the 3x2 set-up, you likely have a pressure regulator and gauge immediately adjacent to the carbs. -Probably set for about 3 p.s.i.? It might be good to disconnect the fuel line from the output side of the fuel pump and check fuel flow rate and output pressure. Again, ethanol can damage the pump diaphragm.

'The Horvaths' suggestion regarding using a timing light to check initial timing and timing advance is a good one, too. I know everything ran okay before the rebuild, but IF the timing curve is malfunctioning for any reason, it could torpedo engine performance as badly as a faulty ignition coil which I mentioned previously.

Best wishes, Dennis...


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York

Some more facts.

I don't think it's a float sticking problem, I could rev the engine using the front or back carb with the linkage loose.

When I removed the engine, some of the plug wires got pinched between the firewall and bellhousing. I got new plug wires and had to put new ends on one end. I had the stumble at this point.That was the first time I started the engine. I replaced points,condenser, and distributor cap. Plugs are new with rebuild. Autolite 46.

10 degrees initial, 26 total centrifugal advance. I don't remember total advance before engine change, but I have paint marks on the timing pulley at 10 20 30 and 40. I seem to remember seeing it between 30 and 40 before.

I forgot to mention, when I go downhill and let off the gas, it backfires out the exhaust.

  Dennis in Lititz PA