VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Hot weather operating problems (1941 Chev)

I just purchased a restored 41 Chev two door and have run into some issues. When operating properly, the car is fantastic and smooth. It has a '57 235 in it. In hot weather and after some miles (I'm thinking 10-15) I'm losing power, runs rough, some vibration, dieseling smell, etc. and the car stalls. I have to let it cool before it will start. Idles fine and can idle indefinitely. Clearly a fuel delivery problem. Carburetor? Fuel filter? Vapor lock? Gas tank? I haven't had it long enough or know too much about its history so I'm guessing at this point. New to VCCA so I can pick your expert brains and come up with a game plan to right this situation. Love this car!

My first guess would be a failing fuel pump.

If it is a fuel problem the gas tank is probably full of crud and it is being drawn into the gas line. Cure would be to remove tank and have it cleaned out, blow out gas line, replace fuel pump and have carburetor cleaned out. This is a common problem when gas is left in the tank for a nomber of years.
Before you do that remove the gas cap and see if this happens. The vent in the cap may be plugged or a non vented cap is used.
Two other things could cause this. A bad condenser or coil.
and keep us informed.

I agree with all the advice you have recieved so far.

Make sure the points are not "floating" or have too little/much gap. For the gap, a dimes width will be surfice to check. If that helps then get a new set and condenser.

This is in addition to the starvation problem. I'd cut the line near the carburater and install a setiment fuel filter. See if you are getting any crud pumped up to the bulb.

Concerning cleaning the gas tank, if necessary, I would reccommend getting a new one.

Good luck. And welcome aboard.

Charlie

BTW: The engine hiccups may be owing to that stinkin 235. Just kidding.

Thanks! This is precisely what I intend to do. I don't know how old the gas was in the tank when I got it and my shake-down drives might have broken any crud loose so I will start at the tank and go forward. Thanks again for all of the great suggestions! Brian S

Thanks, Charlie! I love this car and getting it properly sorted will make it even better.

I have had a bad spark coil act exactly like that, but all the other suggestions are also possible.
Keep checking, you will figure it out.

Turns out my problem was the tank. Got a new one from chevsofthe40s, a new coil, carb adjustment and she's running great!