1944 A not runing well

~In your case seeing as it ran good one day & not the next could also mean a fouled [or partially fouled] spark plug.

~About the first thing to do is try pulling the choke partially back on,, if that makes it run closer to normal you have a carb problem, or fuel flow problem..

~If the choke doesn’t help you, then more than likely have a spark plug, ignition, or valve problem.

~If you suspect a carb problem, first run a fuel flow test…To do that ,,, open the carb’s lower drain cock, then see if you are getting a pencil sized stream of fuel flowing for AT LEAST 30 seconds, if not, suspect a plugged carb strainer, or tank strainer, or the possibility of a fuel shut off valve not being fully open or even plugged. If it has a 3-way valve that is a very common problem area so make sure it is open completely.

~If your fuel flow is good per the above then suspect a plugged passage inside the carb. If that is that case you might first try a farmer’s carb overhaul.. How to do that you ask?… Just remove the carb’s intake elbow, then start the engine & run at fast idle, then place your hand over the carb’s intake until the engine almost stalls. Do that a few times as that will pull gasoline back through the internal carb passages & air bleeds. In some cases if the carb isn’t plugged too bad that will clear the internal passages. [This usually only works on a freshly plugged carb & not an old rusted up one].

~If the carb isn’t the problem then you might have a burnt or tight intake valve.. Do a compression test & check the valve lash..

~Your problem could just be as easy as a fouled spark plug so if the choke partially back on doesn’t help, try new spark plugs to eliminate that right off..

~You could have a verity of other problems from cracked plug wires to water in the distributor cap, to bad gasoline, to a weak ignition coil, to?.

~If you can’t get that carb to operate correctly & using the choke still makes it run better, post back [or E-Mail] & I will send you a carb diagram showing the passages that need attention & cleaning.. It isn’t rocket science but is difficult if you don’t know what passage & holes need cleaning..

~If the above doesn't help, or at least doesn’t get you on the right track to finding the problem just post back with some more & added information on the above & we’ll help you track your problem down..

JDClooney@aol.com

Preliminary,,,,, Look at the plugs and replace them if they appear fouled or carboned up or any flat sooty black or wet uneven shiny deposits. Maybe try a fresh set of Autolite 388. Inspect the wires for any cracks or insulation break downs and remove and clean the cap looking for moisture or any cracks or carbon traces and see if the pooints are gapped and not burned etc as posted below.

1) Have you tried adjustign the carb top load and idle needles??? maybe richen (open up) a tad and see what happens???

2) Does a bit of choking seem to help????? If so maybe theres a fuel restriction.....Is there a sufficient flow of clean fresh water free gas getting into and keeping the carb bowl full?? Open the carb bowls lower drain cock/plug and with the gas on and it open, insure a solid continuous stream of gas about 1/16 in diameter flows out a minute or two??? If not, remove the fuel line where it enters the carb and see if a constant stream of gas the size of the fuel lines inside diamter flows freely there. If not, remove and clean and inspect the sediment bowl assembly and insure a good stream of gas is flowing out the top lil holes from the tanks outlet pipe to fill the glass bowl. You have to have a good solid continuous flow out the bottom drain cock/plug as first posted and if not find the restriction which may be the tanks outlet pipe or its mesh screen if it has one,,,,, the sediment bowl assembly,,,,, the carbs side inlet strainer,,, or eventually the float and needle valve and seat. You might also remove the air cleaners lower bowl and see if its clean with no water in it????

3) Are the plugs clean and gapped right??? If any signs or fouling replace them, maybe try Autolite 388. That may cure the problem???

4) Are the ignition points clean, gapped proper, not carboned up or burned or pitted, not gray oxide coated?? If so, replace and gap them.

For now at least until we know more, try lookign at the fuel flow and carb adjustments and plugs and points and post back your findings and any more questions.

Good Luck n God Bless ya Jeremy

John T