Regular Breakdowns

[Uncle Cib]

Hello again,
My 1956 Series II has been giving me problems for a while now. It starts instantly, even if it hasn’t run for a few months, but after about 6 miles it starts to hesitate and not respond to the throttle. It then completely shuts down and rolls to a halt. After about 4 or 5 minutes, it will restart and run for about 1 or 2 miles before stopping again. I have already replaced the fuel pump, with a brand new one, when I got her road worthy a few years ago. She has all the symptoms of a failing coil or fuel blockage but since the problem developed, I have replaced the coil, points, capacitor and plugs. I have cleaned the fuel pump filter (it had a bit of sediment in it but not much), cleaned out the carburettor bowl which had a bit of sediment in the bottom. I have blasted the fuel line back from pump to tank with an air line but the problem remains. As soon as the engine has run for 6 miles it suddenly fails to respond to the throttle and rolls to a halt.
The car has been in my family since it was purchased in 1956 and only has 29,000 miles on the clock, is completely original, so it is not worn out.
Does anyone have any ideas regarding the continuing problem please? I am running out of ideas.
Many thanks,
Uncle Cib.

[chesney]

Fuel tank vacuum? Is the pump pumping when it grinds to a halt?

[bmcecosse]

It's NEVER the coil - put the old one back on immediately.. It's likely to be failing capacitor - the ones supplied these days are not best quality..

[minor65]

My latest purchase would intermittently loose all throttle. Once it happened the only way to get it revving again and to get it home was to pull out the choke and keep it out half way. It was a blocked jet and once I blew the jet clean and fitted a temp inline filter to catch any dirt from the tank (which also has been flushed out several times). So I would suggest pulling the choke out if it continues to do it. This will illuminate a jet issue.

[dalebrignall]

this may be silly but what oil do you have in the dash pot in the carb

[bmcecosse]

It could also simply be icing on the carb - in this miserable weather.

[kennatt]

when it fails ,have you then checked it through at the road side,before it has been restarted,ie Carb top off for fuel supply,plug out to check for spark. Could eliminate,or show the problem and then you know where to start.

[Uncle Cib]

Many thanks indeed for the prompt replies.

Chesney - The fuel tank is fine and allowing air in the cap

bmcecosse - I am going to change the capacitor again. I don't take the car out when it is cold.

minor65 - I have tried pulling the choke and initially it helps a bit but still shuts down.

dalebrignal - I use 3 in 1 in the dashpot but have used engine oil too

kennett - I think the fuel supply is good but have not as yet tried the roadside checks for fuel and spark

I will try all of the above tips and report back but it won't be for a short while over Easter. Thank you all again.

Uncle Cib