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Sun Sep 22, 2019 12:18 pm

Hello all, I have searched and can’t find an answer for this question. A question that may possibly be a stupid question. I was driving my 1972 bus yesterday and as I pulled into my driveway it stalled and now will not start. I checked the fuel pump, lines and filters and I am good there. If I try to start it, it will crank and crank and crank with nothing. If I put the gas pedal all the way to the floor it will start briefly then stall again. I am at a loss at this point as what the issue could be. Any ideas. Thanks Josh

Sun Sep 22, 2019 1:19 pm

out of gas

Sun Sep 22, 2019 1:20 pm

Sure sounds it.

Sun Sep 22, 2019 1:37 pm

SGKent wrote: out of gas

Nope I made sure to check and added fuel to the tank to be sure

Sun Sep 22, 2019 1:45 pm

Can you verify you have gas getting TO the carb and INTO the bowl?

Sun Sep 22, 2019 1:52 pm

cmonSTART wrote: Can you verify you have gas getting TO the carb and INTO the bowl?

Yes I disconnected the fuel line from the carb and tried to start and I was getting fuel to the carb. U sure if it was getting into the bowls

Sun Sep 22, 2019 1:55 pm

Well, I would say if it tries to start with a quick shot of starter fluid then it might be time to pull the carb (again?).

Sun Sep 22, 2019 1:58 pm

cmonSTART wrote: Well, I would say if it tries to start with a quick shot of starter fluid then it might be time to pull the carb (again?).

Okay I will give that a try

Sun Sep 22, 2019 2:36 pm

Did you say what carb(s) you have?

You can pour a couple of ounces of fuel into the fuel bowl down through the bowl vent. That should allow the engine to run 30 seconds or so.

Sun Sep 22, 2019 2:38 pm

So I was able to get it started, for a few seconds. It would run if I had the gas pedal al the way to the floor. If I let up at all it would shut off. I was able to do this a few times and then I had one loud backfire and it shut off again. Any ideas

Sun Sep 22, 2019 2:39 pm

did you add fuel to it after you got home or before? Does the choke work properly?

Check the points to be sure the rubbing block isn't broken.

Sun Sep 22, 2019 2:43 pm

SGKent wrote: did you add fuel to it after you got home or before? Does the choke work properly?

Check the points to be sure the rubbing block isn't broken.

I had this problem a few days ago and thinking I was out of gas I put 10 gallons in the tank. It then fired right up. I then drove it for a few days and had the same problem again. I can’t imagine I went through 10 gallons of gas in a few short drives. As far as the choke, I don’t know how I would check that.

The points, I’m guessing are in the distributor?

Sun Sep 22, 2019 2:44 pm

1966type1 wrote: So I was able to get it started, for a few seconds. It would run if I had the gas pedal al the way to the floor. If I let up at all it would shut off. I was able to do this a few times and then I had one loud backfire and it shut off again. Any ideas

Does it have a gassy smell? Maybe its getting way too much fuel.

What kind of carb(s)?

Sun Sep 22, 2019 2:54 pm

Wildthings wrote: 1966type1 wrote: So I was able to get it started, for a few seconds. It would run if I had the gas pedal al the way to the floor. If I let up at all it would shut off. I was able to do this a few times and then I had one loud backfire and it shut off again. Any ideas

Does it have a gassy smell? Maybe its getting way too much fuel.

What kind of carb(s)?

When i am trying to start it there is a gassy smell. I’m guessing it’s because I’m holding the gas pedal to the floor. As far as the carb goes I don’t know what it is.

Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:08 pm

You have a center mount 32/36 progressive of some ilk.

If your float is leaking past the engine may start at full throttle because it can use much of the fuel, but at lower throttle opening will be too rich to run. Take a plastic hammer on tap on the side of the carb at the seam that runs around the top. This may or may not work at jarring the needle valve to flop into the closed position and your problem may not reoccur, but may very well show its face again soon. You might have piece of foreign matter holding the needle valve open which could be removed easily enough if you tear into the carb, or you might need a new needle valve assembly.

Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:30 pm

Ya, if any sort of old/antique vehicle is your hobby you need to get acquainted with how to service both points and carburetors quickly and properly. They're not hard and once you master those you will be rewarded with sweetly running machines.

Sounds like you need to go Zen on both.

Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:32 pm

Check the oil to be sure its level is not increasing from gasoline leaking into it.

Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:35 pm

SGKent wrote: Check the oil to be sure its level is not increasing from gasoline leaking into it.

If gas is leaking into the oil, where would it be coming from?

Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:47 am

I pulled the fuel line today and there is definitely gas going to the carb. However it obviously isn’t getting into the bowls of the carb

Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:08 pm

2x. Check points. Correct gap, not corroded.