QuestionI have a 1953 Ford NAA. It starts right up and runs perfectly for 30-45 minutes and then chugs down and dies. Let it set for awhile and it will start and run again.
AnswerHi Alec.
Small chance that this engine is over heating,check what oil levels.
But the most likely cause is fuel contamination:--
THIS sounds familiar I had the same problem with my vintage machine, coming home fro an event it would suddenly die just as I was coming up to a road junction, not a good time as you can imagine. Well after some extensive tests including the same as you have done, it seems to have been caused by sludge in the fuel tank caused by condensation (water) mixing with the fuel. The sludge is actually a living organism that actually lives in these conditions. I could not believe it at the time. But having cleaned the tank out I did find a brown deposit floating around and actually blocking the inside of the tank tap, its quite soft and jelly like.
The fuel tank on my machine is directly over the engine, and on putting the tractor away at night it was ideal conditions for condensation to form-- hot engine and cold fuel.
If your tractor is left out in the sun with ½ a tank of fuel this could be your problem.
Iam not saying it is but have a think about it.
So drain the tank and have a look at the tap as you take it out does it have the sludge condition?
There is a special additive you will need to get its called fuel DOCTOR and it made in the USA especially for this purpose it also cleans your injectors so its a win win solution. Only very small amounts are added each time you fill the tank.
Refill the tank and hopefully you will not have any more problems.
Martin
