We have a model T Speedster almost finished with a modified motor. Specs.include a model A intake,exhaust and carb. Also has a distributor with 6V system and no mags. Started it for the first time yesterday and it sounds great but won't stay running. Because it has an electric fuel pump and a control valve, I keep adjusting the fuel flow thinking I may be flooding it. The timing is correct, the plugs fire in proper order but it dies quickly after starting. I am hoping someone out there may have experience tuning an engine set-up like this and know I am overlooking something. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

What do the plugs look like? Mixture may be the culprit. I bet that the float level is wrong, or that the carb requires a fuel pump to keep the fuel level correct.

Plugs are new - they are not soaked in fuel but do have a faint oder of gas. some gas seems to be getting to the cylinders.

Are you choking it to get it running, then it runs for less than half a minute? Choking would result in a shot of gas to start, some from the carburetor mixed with the rest of the choked fuel will run for several seconds. This combination often leaves a residual gasoline odor on the plugs. If that is the case, it may be as simple as adjusting the fuel mixture on the carburetor. I think on a model A it is the almost 45 degree thingus on the side near the back of the carburetor. Turning clockwise makes it more lean. You may need richer (counterclockwise).
That is where I would start looking.
Drive safe, and enjoy, W2

Fred, use this to set fuel level and to tune.
/Tom

Thanks guys - Progress so far is adjusting the carb. as per the spec. above and getting an 8V battery which turns it over great. However, it still won't stay running and is hard to get that first kick. I also noticed that gas is dripping out of front of carb. when everything is shut off. I am going to put a cut-off valve on it now so I am wondering why it is running out when fuel pump is not running? Any further ideas would be appreciated.

Fred, It sounds to me like a stuck or heavy float. I would take out the float and see if it feels heavy or sloshes. Then check the float valve needle. If the float is heavy, look for cracks and drain and solder or replace it. if the needle is allowing gas to get by replace the needle and seat.Is the exhaust smoke black while running? If so the float is probably stuck.

John: Thanks - I will pull the carb. tomorrow and check it out.

Well guys - I just averted a small disaster today. I checked inside the carb and the float was good so I adjusted it per instructions above. Put it back on the motor, hooked everything up and proceeded to start the car. It did run maybe 20 seconds and then I saw a red glow up front which turned out to be a fire. I had just purchased an auto fire extinguisher last week so I grabbed it and put the fire out quickly. So thankful I had it. The fire resulted in smoking up the area around the carb and the fire extinguisher messed up a lot more stuff. Had to clean out the entire garage and clean up the motor. I took the carb. off the motor and guess I am going to need the help of an experienced Tillotson carb. mechanic. So the real moral of this experience is don't go without a fire extinguisher!!

And don't start a T in the garage if you don't have to. I always roll mine out - - but that's because it's parked in so tight.

Glad you dodged a bullet, Fred.

rdr

rdr, we should compare garage photos. I have to roll my cars in and out. The coupe, I can walk by one side. The boat-tail, I can barely squeeze by. And it doesn't have any fenders! I step over the axles.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2

By the way, Fred, YIKES! I always keep fire extinguishers close by.
Good work averting a disaster.
W2

Sounds like a very fresh motor. Since you need an 8 volt battery to turn it over I'm assuming it's sort of tight. Running a tight, fresh rebuild can result in it seizing to stop. As soon as it cools a bit, which doesn't take long, it will restart.

A little dribble out of the carb just after stopping is normal for an updraft system. What's important is that the dribble stops after a few minutes.

Thanks for all the input guys. I cleaned and adjusted the carb., hooked all the lines up and made some adjustments to the settings on the distributor. After a few attempts, it started and kept running. (I also backed it out of the garage first) It runs a little rough and it may be a plug wire or just need to continue to adjust carb. but it was gettin late so I quit for the day with a grin on my face! At least I know it's going to run.

Good deal! I been wondering.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2