M38 won't start

[TonyMorreale]

1952 M38 24v.... Ran great and had been in the garage with the batteries disconnected for a couple weeks...

This morning I reconnected the batteries and she started right up, ran for a minute and died. I went to restart and she sputtered like she wanted to fire up but nothing happened. Subsuquent attempts and no sputtering.

I removed the top of the carb and there's fuel in there BUT in removing the rubber crosstube to look into the carb I noticed fuel there (in the cross tube) as well. Could this be a simple case of a flooded carb?

Also, the carb to cross tube vent line broke at the cross tube fitting and there appeared to be some fuel in there too.

I have spark and can't figure it out. I guess there could be a clogged carb port or gunk in the fuel pump but the jeep has only been back together for a month and running on a "new" fuel/vac pump, all new wires, lines, etc.

Thoughts?
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Tony Morreale
Franklin, TN

[wesk]

Tony,
As I pointed out on the g503 board use the trouble shooting checklist step by step. For a shotgun approach what you describe is often a stuck float which can usually be addressed by tapping briskly on the carb's bowl with a small hammer.
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Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[TonyMorreale]

Wes - Just went out to the garage again. Kept the accelerator pedal to the floor and started her up. Once I let off the gas it dies, again. Repeated process with same result. Will try the bowl tap for float relief and will take apart carb.

I guess I should have mentioned that I put on a new long exhaust pipe and muffler and there is now black oily reisdue at the mouth of the tailpipe/flange. Also, for about 5 minues after shut off there is a small amount dark smoke coming from the tailpipe - about 1/3 as thick a "plume" as a cigarette in an ashtray - almost a wisp. I just noticed all this a moment ago.

Now I'm thinking that something else might be afoot as well.
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Tony Morreale
Franklin, TN

[wesk]

People often forget the need for oxygen in the equation. Any restriction to air flow at the carb intake or exhaust will result in an overly rich mixture and if the restriction is severe enough it will quit running. Often muffler and tailpipes come with plugs in them that must be removed. These are often plastic and will eventually melt and burn.
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Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[TonyMorreale]

Removed the carb last night and cleaned it out - not really dirty at all. Re adjusted the float, reassembled and re-installed. Started right up and idled like it should (air cleaner disconnected). I believe this was a stuck float but I will go back out today and hook up the cross tube and air cleaner and double check everything again.

Thanks for the advice and assistance!
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On a side note - thanks to Wes, Ryan and the gang for keeping this site topical. My original question (posted verbatim on this site and the "g") turned into a bit of a flame war between a couple of people on the "g". While their intent was well meaning and the safely warnings valid it really strayed off topic and hijacked the thread as they traded point/counterpoint.

Thanks again!
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Tony Morreale
Franklin, TN