My 56' Ford Victory 292 has a teapot carb which was rebuilt in Georgia and I live in New Mexico, which is approximately 5500 ft above sea level.  The car runs really well, but it seems that the carb is hesitating when first starting to drive down the street.  Once it gets to around 65 - 70 it runs perfect.  Should I have the jets changed?  Any help would be appreciated.

What are you running for initial advance i the distributor?  If you are running the factory 6 degrees, try 10 degrees.  Not saying this will cure it, but it has been known to help in a case like yours.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Not sure about the advance, but I'll give it a try this weekend.  Thanks

The general rule is to reduce the jet sizing by one number for each 2000 feet increase in altitude.  As your engine is hesitating, that would be an indication of already being on the lean side assuming the ignition timing is not too far retarded.  Paul’s recommendation of bumping the timing up is a good one and I’ve found as much as 12° initial works well on some for the Teapot equipped cars.
 
The hesitation can also be related to the ethanol in the fuel.  Ethanol when added to the fuel reduces the density which in turn leans the mixture if not upping the jet size in which to compensate.  If you’re not running premium fuel now, then try that as premium grade has a reduced amount of ethanol in it.  In my part of the country, 91-93 octane has between 3 and 5 percent ethanol versus the 10 percent found in the 87-89 octane grades.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thank you Ted.  I will try the timing advance before I take the carb in for the changing out of jets.  That should save me a bunch of money.  Have a great weekend.

Assuming adequate jet size, fuel octane, properly curved distributor, limited dynamic C/R, etc., then maximum initial timing is likely only determined by how much starting difficulty you are willing to put up with, vs. how fond you are of acceleration, and thus the timing light & spec. #s become largely irrelevant, except to record the determined/target optimum (?).

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

double check your accelerator cup. Pony sells a synthetic to replace the original leather one.

Holley 4000 teapot carbs didn't have a leather accel pump piston in '55 and '56. They came with a rubber cup piston. As far as I know there isn't a leather replacement for those years either. I actually prefer leather. I have seen the cups that are claimed ethanol compatible swell to the point where they stick in the bore and pull off.

  Sal