VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 tEngine Running Rough

Just purchased a 1947 Chevrolet Stylemaster 4 door sport sedan. Driving it home(I knew it had several engine problems)the temperature rose to almost 220 and from the time I left the driveway until I got home the engine ran roughly. Like it was chugging - you could hear it at the exhaust. I have checked the carb setting and the timing and all seems okay there. Any thoughts. I have been a member in the past with a 47 2 door (you folks always came through for me) and returned with this 4 door. Thank you for you input. PS checked the themostat and it was opening and closing as it should.

Check all the vacuum lines for leaks. Lines to the windshield wipers, the wiper switch, line to the vacuum shift cylinder and vacuum advance. How are the plugs and points? Any smoke at the exhaust? If so what color?

I'm sure you will get more advice here.....hang in there, we'll get you running good again!!!


.........and welcome back!!!!

I checked the vacuum hose - have one that runs from the exhaust manifold - took off the connector - plugged the hole and restarted the car with the same problem.

Yes, I know we shall overcome and get this 47 running the way God intended it to run.

Well that would have been a nice easy fix, but not to be today I guess!!

Plugs - wires - points - condenser - all brand new. Some black smoke when you are going down the road for awhile and then press the accerator all the way down. While idling and then revving the engine a little blue smoke. Going to take it in tomorrow and have a compression check done al all 6 cylinders. I am scratching my head. Must be something a little more expensive then what has already been done. Thanks for all your help and suggestions everyone.

As you probably know, black smoke indicates running rich (too much gas). Make sure the choke is open all the way. Check the float setting.
Blue smoke is oil burning. Compression check will tell you if rings are bad and letting oil by.

Good luck, and let us know what you find. Hopefully some other more knowledgeable members will see this and chime in.

Try cleaning out the low speed jet in the carburetor.
To do so first remove the air cleaner. Cross #3 and #4 spark plug wires. (put #3 wire on #4 , #4 wire on #3 plug). Start engine a step on the gas quickly several times so it back fires through the carb.....If there is dirt in the low speed jet this will blow it out.

What if any would be the possible connections between an overheating radiator and the rough running engine?

The only connection I can think of is effect of thermal expansion.

a. It may have an affect on the point's gap and condenser.
b. It may affect the coil.
c. It may affect the fuel (either in the line from pump to carbureater.
e. It may affect fuel mixture at the carbureater.

The above list has not been well thought out and merely my guesses. Of course, the higher the heat the more the items on the list may be affected, I suppose.

I think the overheating is caused by the radiator. Reverse flush it and see what comes out. That may give you a clue as to what has stopped it up, if anything.

Good luck with it.

Charlie

Also consider the fact that the valve stems expand when hot and could bind in the guides, tappet clearance can change both of which could effect idle and performance. Do not go at this one piece at a time, get out the shop manual and read up on the symptoms you are experiencing and then follow the manual to clear them up. The guys that designed the engine most likely wrote the manual and there fore are the best source of information. Some one having changed the parts you mention does not indicate that it was done correctly.

Thanks for all the help.

I am having the compression checked this morning.

Then going to flush the radiator - I have followed everything I
can find in the manual and have followed all the directions that I have received from buddies here on VCCA. Will report the findings sometime today.

Thank you again.

Compression on the engine was all 95 - the engine has 86,000 miles on it. Problem seems to be with the carb. It is a Carter W-1 and when you look down the throat of the carb you can see the gas running. Thus the black smoke that comes out tail pipe when you press it to the floor while driving.

I am just going to purchase a rebuilt carb. Any recommendations as to who to order from. - The Filling Station - Chevies of the 40's or - ???

VCCA members are the greatest. Any imput is appreciated.

I would suggest one of the private individuals that advertise in the G&D.

If, as you say, you see gas runnung into the manifold when the motor is running, it is probably nothing more than a needle valve / float problem, neither of which would require a new carb. It could be as simple as dirt under the needle or a misadjusted or sticking float. Sometimes just tapping the float bowl several times with a hammer handle will jar it loose.

Doyle Stokes, down here in Georgia is one of those folks Gene spoke of. He has been rebuilding these types of carbs over 50 years. Give him a call. 478-922-3605

Walking to the shop to get a hammer can be tiresome...I look around for handy garden stone and give it a few taps...Worked for me...

I tried the hammer then I tried the stone. Neither worked so I am going to have work done on the carb.

Will report when it is installed to let you all know if it solved the problem. Thanks!

I had a similar issue with rough conditions with my '47 last summer and Gene called it...it was a clogged low speed jet in the W-1. It was clogged with dirt and sediment from a rusty gas tank so I had to take it apart and clean it out, but it was very easy to work on and cleaned up nicely with a rebuild kit from Marx Parts in Wisconsin. Very nice guy to do business with and the kit was superior to others out there. He also has a lot of good NOS and NORS parts that may help.

The overheating could be a number of things as you mentioned. Ours overheated only when the coolant was low and it built a steam pocket. I would check for air in the system and/or loose head bolts. The center ones particularly seem to cause coolant issues when the aren't torqued properly or loosen. I wish you luck and stay in touch with your progress.

Now I wonder how long the car may have sat before your purchase...Darn fuel may have gummed up the works...Might give Gene's suggestion a try...Switching the plug wires...If you wait until the 4th of July it might liven up the neighborhood...And not frighten the small children and old lady's...Feral cats will return in a day or two, though...Don't forget to remove the air filter...!

The funny thing is it had not set long - the fellow I bought it from started having trouble with it last year. Then he decided to sell it and another car he has because he is retiring and moving to Florida. The car was running rough when I drove it home. He had it stored in Minneapolis in his garage right next to his house with a 49 ford. I believe he just was in a mood to unload the 47. If I could figure out how to place a picture on here it would My son is coming up next weekend. He will be able to do it for me. It is in really nice shape. A 15 footer for sure. However, the paint job is good and the interior is very nice. And, everything works. The radio - all the gauges - the clock - all the lights. He had taken pretty good care of it except the carb. He said that last year he had sprayed some cleaner into the carb and that seemed to help. I guess I should have looked at the card right away.

Ranger:

Autozone has rebuilt Carter W-1s at a decent price. You might check them on-line as well. I bought a Rochester off them for my 48. I know-wrong carb for my car, but, that's what was on it. Anyway, the unit I got appears to be a quality rebuild, and, car runs great.

Regards:
Oldengineer

Ranger- No worries, I'm sure its something simple and the Carters are easy to work on. In fact, it was the first carb rebuild I did and it wasn't a pain. Just have a clean workbench and plenty of light in case any clips or small parts 'disappear' on you. You should be able to see and hope that's all you have to do to enjoy your '47. Glad you got it and if you need anything just shout.

Where in WI are you? There's a wonderful bunch of VCCA regions & folks up there who have great outings and are super friendly. Next year's meet is up in Door County, too so not too far away.

Danbury, Wisconsin

When it rains it pours - started with a newly purchased 47 chevrolet 4 door sports sedan. It was running rough - new carb - new plugs(the owner said they were newly installed - they were gapped at .20) and the car still does not run as smoothly as my old 47 2 door that I just sold.

Points and correct condenser - timed it by ear - still running rather rough and likes to chug when pressing down on the accelerator. I don't know what to do next.

Then - on top of that - when I brought the car home the brakes were working wonderfully. After sitting in the garage for a week waiting for the new carb - after installing carb and doing a little tuning I decided to drive it AND the brakes are gone. Too the floor and no stopping.

Think I am going to walk away for awhile and come back later with a new plan.

Any suggestions! Yes, I do like the car so don't suggest shooting it.