Guest Bert Levy Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I have a 1928 Chrysler, 4 dr., model 52, 4 cyl. engine. I believe it is a Maxwell engine. The engine has been rebuilt ( and I mean rebuilt- cylinder bored, new pistons, crank and rods rebabbited, valves and seats all re-done) but it is still producing a very black sooty combustion. This is inside the engine and extends all the way to the end of the tail pipe. It appears to be a spark advance problem. About a week ago, I had a mechanic (one experienced on old cars) look at the set-up. He says the problem is with the distributor, it is not automatically advancing. He advised to get a rebuild kit and rebuild the distributor. Please note the engine runs well.The distributor is a Delco-Remy model 638C, serial 119050. I cannot find a supplier of parts for this distributor.Any help would be most appreciated. If you don't agree with the distributor being the problem please suggest your solution.Bert Levy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Black soot means too rich mixture in other words too much gas, nothing to do with spark advance. Did they even have automatic advance in 1928. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bert Levy Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 Yes Rusty, you are correct; black soot or smoke is caused by too much fuel. If I cut back on the main fuel mixture the engine loses power. Since the engine has been completely rebuilt and can now only think it is something preventing a proper burn. This could be not enough air reaching the combustion chamber or PERHAPS too late a spark and hence an incomplete burn. I am open however, to any and all possibilities.Oh yes, they definitely had mehanical advance in 1928. The distributor I have definitely has one and the manual for 1928 mentions same.Bert Levy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 I'm looking for proper return springs for my Autolite 1GB 40831 ZN. Your problem may be the same as mine. The springs are weak and the arms do not return to rest by themselves which throws off the idle timing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1hooligan Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 A good way to tell, is get the engine started, LEAN IT OUT AS YOU ARE MANUALLY ADVANCING THE DISTRIBUTOR at a high rpm, say 1000, If it runs well..........then you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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