VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Engine stalls after a 15 minute drive

Hello Members!
I've just joined and am hoping someone can give me some tips on a problem I'm having with my '40 Chev Special Deluxe. I've owned her a few months now and this "restored" beauty has several issues. Gotta say that when she runs she's absolutely fantastic though. A great driver until she stalls after 15 - 20 minutes of normal, city driving.
I just repaired a no start problem by finding the ignition switch to coil wire exposed and grounding. She started right up afterwards but still dies out after 15 minutes or so of driving. If I wait about 10 minutes she starts up again! New / rebuilt fuel pump putting out good delivery but it was starting from a stop light that she died out so I'm thinking fuel / carb at this point.
Any suggestions guys?
Thanks,
Mike

check for spark the coil or condenser could fail when hot.
Al

I've replaced the coil, repaired the ground issue and have a new set of points and condenser enroute.
Sounds more like an electrical issue than fuel to you then?

Thanks,

Mike

Does it restart right away? When it stalls, remove the gas cap to see if it restarts. The gas cap must be vented.

I would bet on the condenser.

I would also agree that it could be the condenser.

If it has a fuel filter added check to be sure it's not plugged. If it's dirty the sediment can be pulled up against the inlet screen and shut off the gas. Once stopped the sediment settles and allows a few more miles of travel.

The cap is not vented. I will try that - thank you.

It has no fuel filter.

That would seem to make sense. I look forward to getting the new points and condenser and installing them.

Thank you guys!
I will let you know how this goes.

Mike

My fuel pump has a filter screen, check yours. If there's a lot of sediment in there, I would have the tank & lines cleaned out.

New fuel pump with clean screen.
Gas cap is vented.

Let us know what happens after you install the new condenser.

Though it could be the condenser, my experience suggests more likely the coil. I have had several occasions where the new replacement coils internally short when overheated. That shuts off the engine. Pouring cool water on the coil revives it. So after putting on the new condenser take a bottle of water on his next test drive. If it quits try cooling the coil to see if it gets it running again.

According to the earlier posts the problem was there before and after replacing the original coil.
Would be advised to check for spark and fuel supply when encountering failure to start.

Gene,

I agree but support the lack of fuel a little more than the spark.

I hope he gets it fixed. It is an annoying fault when you're at a stoplight and the car dies. No one wants to hold up traffic behind them. Even with an old car the wide latitude of understanding most folks, give us, some may blow their horn.

Charlie

When it stalls and won't restart, we have to determine whether
it's fuel or ignition. The first test I would do is remove
the coil wire from the center of the distributer cap and hold
it about 1/4 inch from the block while cranking the engine
with the ignition switch on; there should be a healthy spark!
If spark is weak or non-existant, it is an ignition problem.
If spark is good, try a little starting fluid in the carb, being very careful in case of fire popping back through
the carb. If it starts and runs for a few seconds, you have
a fuel problem.

"Even with an old car the wide latitude of understanding most folks, give us, some may blow their horn."

In todays unsettled world, I would be happy with someone blowing their horn, as opposes to a shot ringing out from their gun.

Gene,
Missed the problem pre-dates the coil change. In that case I would check the ignition switch. They are known to work for a while and then heated quit.

I do appreciate all the information and advice guys. The car stalled at a light as one of you mentioned. I was more embarrassed than the other drivers were angry. They loved seeing this car and two guys immediately helped me push her to a turning lane across the intersection - and I live in South Florida! Go figure!

Fuel delivery is good. No dirt or crap in the system. One of the problems I had was an ignition to coil wire grounding to the inside of the coil cap. It heated the ignition switch bezel! The car starts great but that left the sudden engine die after a short ride. I really think it's spark. My guess is the condenser as a couple of you have mentioned but the new coil may be compromised from the previous ground problem. I have new points, condenser, coil, voltage regulator, horn relay and even a generator enroute to me. I don't mind spending the money on these as the ones on there are obviously old. More than half of the wiring on this car is original. I'd like to pony up for an original style wiring harness for the entire car but that'll come later.
I'll definitely let you guys know how this goes. So far she starts up and runs beautifully since I repaired the ignition switch to coil wire. I also found the battery cable attachment points in need to cleaning on the starter and ground. That gave a noticeable improvement to the starting.

You can make the old wireing last by painting clear ploly seal over the cloth. Keeps rotten cloth in place and seals against any bare wire painted over.

I thought there was a coating of some kind I've seen used but didn't know what it was called. Many thanks.