34 Studebaker original car and engine

[mitchwhodge]

I have spark, I have fuel pumping into the carb, I cannot get the thing running? Car was running fine, going down the road started to sputter and now it does not run? Engine turns over beautifully, Looking for any suggestions to help my weekend warrior knowledge. 

Edited June 29, 2022 by mitchwhodge (see edit history)

[TerryB]

Spark at the spark plug tip?  If yes, is it a strong spark, blueish in color? Did the timing change due to point block wear? 

Edited June 29, 2022 by TerryB (see edit history)

[mitchwhodge]

 "Did the timing change due to point block wear" What does that mean? Yes, I have a nice blue spark at the spark plugs

 

Thanks for the reply

[studeboy]

Did you try a shot of ether or spray of gas in the throat of the carb? Just because its getting to the carb doesn't mean it's getting to the engine. If it run momentarily with shot of ether you may have clogged jets.

[TerryB]

1 hour ago, mitchwhodge said:

 "Did the timing change due to point block wear" What does that mean? Yes, I have a nice blue spark at the spark plugs

 

Thanks for the reply

There is a rubbing block on the points that rides against the lobes of the distributor.  The points open when the cam lobe pushes against the rubbing block.  The rubbing block wears down due to this action.  The time the block and lobe line up determines when spark occurs.  If block wear makes the spark happen at the wrong time you still get spark but not when the engine it needs it.  In pre WW2  cars most timing is set to have the points open when cylinder #1 is at top dead center or TDC.

[Rusty_OToole]

Check for spark. You say it passes this test. Now is the spark occurring at the right time, in other words, timing set right.

If you are getting a good spark at the right time then you don't need to worry about the ignition. Except, check the firing order it is possible to mix up the wires especially 3 and 4.

 

If you have spark and compression the only other thing that could go wrong is fuel. But you say the carburetor is getting gas and working correctly. Have you checked this? When you pump the throttle do you get a shot of gas down the carburetor throat?

 

One last thing, if everything else checks out, is to sandblast the plugs or install new ones. Sometimes if a motor fails to start they get coated with gas which somehow shorts them out. The only way to clean them is by sandblasting. I cannot account for this but have seen it happen more than once.

[mitchwhodge]

3 hours ago, studeboy said:

Did you try a shot of ether or spray of gas in the throat of the carb? Just because its getting to the carb doesn't mean it's getting to the engine. If it run momentarily with shot of ether you may have clogged jets.

It has the old updraft carb

[Larry Schramm]

12 hours ago, mitchwhodge said:

It has the old updraft carb

 

Giving it some ether does not matter if up draft or down draft.