Strange start

[rheckman]

Hi,
Had a weird experience in my 65 today.
It's been running great but yesterday I had incredibly hard time starting and when it did start it felt like it was
Off timing it was so bad .smelled shelacky from exhaust,and was super rough.
I stayed with it try to warm it up.
After 20 minutes or so it was ok. Drove for an hour and everything ok,as well as today everything fine.
I did put about 12 gallons of gas in last night after moving out of garage for ride.
Also noticed a little gas around base of carb yesterday when real rough .
but not today.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
bob h

[Alan H. Tast]

Be Careful! If the exhaust smelled bad, you may have stale/bad gas running through the system, and if it leaves gum/varnish on the valve stems, you may be in for some sticking valves, bent push rods or worse! Drain the tank and run a fuel system cleaner through it, and install a new fuel filter.

I'm probably going to have to do this with my '55 Ford, and really need to do this with my '63 hardtop before I start it up again - had StaBil in the tank but maybe not enough. Got the '55 running for the first time this year after sitting the past couple, and it was running real rough once the pump started pulling from the tank. I suspect valves may be sticking because of varnish/gum deposits from bad gas. Then again I really should pull the heads and replace the umbrella seals and freshen them up...stop me, please!

[Randy Mattson]

I agree with Alan, sounds like bad gas.
Depending on how much gas is in the tank, try adding Sea-Foam.
I've seen that stuff do wonders.
Randy Mattson

[rheckman]

Great,
Thanks guys.
I will definitely go thru the fuel line,and replace fuel filter.
bob h

[rheckman]

Update on this thread.
I took the advice of Alan and others and emptied my gas tank.
Then changed fuel filter,and oil change as well as the fuel filter access
Kind of requires it.
Also changed plugs and refilled gas with about half a bottle of seafoam.
Running nicely for 52 yrs old