Finally got it running! Many good parts and custom machine work. Feast your eyes on this for my Model A Coupe.
  

  


Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Maybe you can stand on your head to enjoy! Maybe Ted can fix. Sorry Mike
< I flipped the pictures 180° for you.  Ted >

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Nice!

Durham Missouri

Slow progress being made, ran it up my street yesterday needs tuning and shake down, but I’m loving the look!
  


Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Ted Eaton built this one for me a few years ago.


Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

They both look great!

So after one week of trying without success I have decided I must give up (for now) on my Grant Flame thrower distributor. I have a miss and backfire situation that seems to be related to it and I have not found other explanation for it. I have ordered a new distributor as all of the ones I have are pretty well toasted. Replacement of the distributor in my hot rod is hard as it is so close to the firewall that removal requires significant disassembly of the car. What idiot designed this?(me). I have considered some more period pieces but give how limited parts supplies are I will opt fo new. Please wish me luck! There is to much good stuff in this engine for it to not purr like a kitten and roar like a lion on command!

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Do not rule out ‘induction’ firing due to spark plug wires running parallel with each other.  Cylinders 1 & 2 and cylinders 6 & 8 are problematic in this regard for the Ford Y.  I did run across an instance with a Grant Flamethrower distributor that had a cracked rotor which was causing some misfire issues so that’s still a possibility. A cracked cap or carbon tracking on either side of the distributor is something else to watch for.  Ignition point gap setting is also critical on the Grant distributors as each set of points is specific to each bank.  You can check that the ignition timing when checked with a timing light is the same for both cylinders 1 & 6 which will verify that the points are set the same.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks Ted for your advice. I happen to be partnered with a friend and have a distributor machine so the points were set and timed on it. Ignition timing was initially quite advanced but has been set to 12 before top dead center. The engine starts and idles well. Before I give up on the Flamethrower I will try separating the wires, hopefully it will work. I’ll check back after the trial. Mike

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

More than once I’ve found a spark problem by backing the car out in the dark and having a look. No lights around, it’s amazing how bright a spark is when it jumps someplace other than the spark plug. Cheap and easy. Couple good raps even pixxxxx’s the neighbors off.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ