I've had my 1949 3100 with a 216 for a couple of weeks now. I've been fixing it up, doing a 12V conversion, new lights and such. During these weeks I've started it up a couple of times since but only by using starting gas/fluid but was not able to run at idle and ran overall pretty bad. But it started and ran. My mechanical fuel pump broke (bad internal seal) and I'm now using an electrical fuel pump instead. Read about Nates valve adjustment procedure and wanted to see if I could get it to run better, but I wasn't able to get it going long enough to get it warm. Followed Nates valve adjustment procedure on cold engine (.006" intake and .018" exhaust). Gap was way off to start with, and once I got it running again it ran a bit nicer but not good. Tried to adjust fuel/air mixture, but no effect. With mixture screw fully in and out without noticing any difference. Then I decided to try to get the engine warm from running it like half an hour. Did Nates valve adjustment procedure again and it ran much smoother after that, and was also able to idle. Great. Decided to take it out for a spin and it ran fairly well for about 2 miles, then it just died on me and I couldn't get it started again (even with starter fluid) and had to tow it back home. Strange it always started using starter fluid?. Noticed when I got back home that the gas filter was full of dirt, so I figured that was the problem. Cleaned out the gas tank and glad I did, a lot of gunk. Also cleaned fuel lines, added a new gas filter, gas and tried to start it up but it wouldn't start even with started fluid. OK, so I figure I had to clean the carb as well but wasn?t much dirt there. Still wouldn?t start. Checked for spark, and I had spark. Looked a bit weak though so I tried a new coil but still the same. Got spark plug gap set at .035 I've now tried everything I can think of and I?m getting desperate. I've tried new parts in the following order New coil, new condenser, points, rotor, cap and still dead. Got spark plug gap set at .035?, checked resistance on spark plug cables and they seem alright. In a desperate attempt I've today even adjusted the valves at .010" intake and .020" exhaust. No change. What am I missing?
It takes three things to make one run: spark (at the right time), fuel, and compression. You have checked out the spark and fed fuel direct so maybe compression is the culprit. Also since your idle screw adjustment didn't have any effect you may have a big vacuum leak. Check the compression and if over 80-85 it should run even though 110+ is better. Let us know what the reading is and then some other thoughts may be offered.
Thanks coilover. Noticed that my questions got posted twice, beginner mistake. If you look int the other post you will see that I probably found the problem. Broken "weight cover and stop plate" in the distributor. /Mike
