Hi folks. I've posted here before concerning a fuel problem with my P12 stalling and being hard to start. Have been through everything and the car finally seems to run fine, except one problem--when I pull in the driveway and stop, the engine idles down and dies. the only way I can get it to start is to open the throttle all the way and crank the h*ll out of the engine--then it will usually start, with a cloud of black smoke from the exhaust. What can be causing this? Does the car hate my driveway? Any thoughts?

Bruce

 

Is your driveway sloped? If so, the float is probably too high and the additional angle will over fill the fuel bowl and let gas into the venturi.

What's a P12?

 

Thanks. A P12 is a 1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe. Interesting you should ask about my driveway--it does have an upslope, but not a drastic one. You go upslope about a car's length and then it levels out. I just took the car out for a spin and it stalled at the bottom of a hill on a road near here. There is a stop sign at that point and the car stalled there once before. I had a similar problem after turning a corner at the bottom of a hill--only it didn't stall that time, it just stumbled. Tonight when I got home the car ran after I pulled in the drive, but for just about 10-15 seconds, then it died. The car also died once when I parked in a drive that was level So the issue you think is the float. Not being a carb man, is this something easily adjusted?

Bruce

 

Not being a 1941 carb expert, I'll guess it has a needle and seat that is replaceable. The float can be adjusted by bending the float hinge mechanism. If I was going to open the carb I would have a rebuild kit as the gasket will likely tear then your screwed.

 

Well, it looks like the float is the issue--I took the car to a meet tonight and it did its stalling out thing. When I opened the hood gas was leaking from the carb. I tapped it with a jack knife and it stopped. I have ordered a rebuild kit--seems like it wouldn't hurt to redo the carb.

Bruce

 

Beautiful, keep us posted. A good example of why I tell my boys a man should always have a pocket knife.

 

Fixed the float problem and now she runs like a champ! Thanks for your input!

Bruce

 

Always had a soft spot for Plymouths. Bought a rock solid 1948 Plymouth Coupe, back in 67. Drove it a week and dropped the drive shaft while popping the clutch on main street. Sold it for $50. One of those, wished I hadn't moments.

 

I have a soft spot for Plymouths too! I remember my dad had a 53 convertible that always seemed to bring rain whenever you put the top down!