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Regular
Posts: 74
Location: Louisville Ky | The engine in my '55 Dodge is not running right. It sounds like it's straining when accelerating and if I push the pedal down too far it starts backfiring. Could the problem be in the fuel line? When I was getting gas the guy at the next pump told me it could be the timing. The fuel filter looks brand new but should I replace it anyway? I don't know of any auto repair shops in the Louisville area that work on 70 year old cars so I'm going to try to fix it myself even though I'm not much of a mechanic. Any advice would be appreciated.... |
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Expert
Posts: 3611
   
Location: Blythewood, SC | Sounds like ignition. How old are the plugs, wires, cap rotor, points, and condenser. If they are old, replace them. Get the car hot and check the base timing and total timing with the vacuum advance disconnected to be sure it is in spec with the factory service manual.
If I had to take a wild guess, I would suspect that the distributor got bumped and the timing is retarded too far. |
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Regular
Posts: 74
Location: Louisville Ky | All of those parts were replaced when the car was taken out after a 15 year storage three years ago. Since I don't have a timing light or know anyone who owns one can I just turn the distributor one way or the other until it runs smoother? Even if I had one I don't know how to use it but maybe I can find a video on YouTube showing how to use a timing light. If there is anyone in the Louisville area who wants to time it for me please let me know. I can drive it to your place and give you a few bucks for your trouble. Please call Dave at 502-767-7773. Thanks... |
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Expert
Posts: 4196
Location: Connecticut | Most major auto parts stores will rent out tools for free. You have to leave them a deposit, which is equal to the cost of the tool. Yes, you need to learn how to use a timing light if you want to fix your car. It's a fundamental skill, just like setting points. Be sure to disconnect and plug vacuum advance before starting. Watch YouTube videos or buy and read about tune up in the factory shop manual. Ron |
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Expert
Posts: 4196
Location: Connecticut | One other thing: If your car is still 6V, you will need to run the timing light off a 12V battery. 6V timing lights are hard to find. Ron |
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Expert
Posts: 3611
Location: Blythewood, SC | If it's 6 volt, just hook the timing light up to a 12 volt battery. You can sit it on the ground, or connect to another car like jumper cables. |
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Regular
Posts: 74
Location: Louisville Ky | I found a shop here locally that would work on my car. The owner said he was restoring the 1949 Plymouth that his grandparents bought new.I told him about the backfiring and that the timing was supposed to be set at .04 degrees BTDC. When he checked it he said that it was currently at .30 degrees BTDC so he reset it and it starts a lot easier now. Isn't .30 extremely high? Anyway, thanks to those who left comments and hopefully it will run smoother now. |
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Expert
Posts: 3485
Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | What does .30 mean, there is no such thing relating to ignition timing? |
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10418
Location: So. Cal | Are your units in radians instead of degrees? Your decimal points are really off if you are talking about degrees.
It should be around 3 to 7 degrees BTDC. If you don't have a timing light, you can often set it well by maximizing the vacuum with a vacuum gauge. Then slightly retard if you notice pinging during hard hill climbs. Or slightly advance if you think it should have more power, and see if it pings or not.
But it's good that it sounds like you have it where you need it now. |
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Regular
Posts: 74
Location: Louisville Ky | I obviously don't know what I am talking about. I know he said it was set at 30 something and the owner's manual said 4 so it runs better now and it was worth the $155 I paid to get it running better. Thanks to the last two guys for their input.... |
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10834
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
Not going to get too involved in this thread but I checked the information that I have Re: 270 Super Red Ram (hemi) in 1955 and they all said that the timing should be
4 degrees before top dead center (BTDC).
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Engine is missing and backfiring...
