1955 Short Hood

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Hello all, been looking at this web site for a while now on the other side of the fence and figured I would join and start posting.  Everytime it seems I would google something, there would be a thread here with almost everything I needed to know about a project I was working on.  I just had a short hood restored last year...still a 4 position selector and I dreed the day I have to have it redone. I tried to weld with an early 80's SA and it just didnt weld like my short hood.  I havent put her in 4th gear yet but she will lay 6010 and 7018 in 2nd gear all day long.  The only question I have is this...when it warms up on low idle the exhaust makes pop...pop every few seconds.  Not loud, and not a backfire. But you can see and hear the rain cap go up futher each time it does it.  The F162 is new from top to bottom.  The Marvel is rebuilt and the mag is new.  Machine runs fine other than that.  Anything to worry about?  Is this normal?  Thanks. Attached Images
Reply:Just a cough right, not a backfire? It is a backfire. You have solid lifters, not hydraulic. Lincoln recommends adjusting them every 500 hours. A newly rebuilt engine needs adjustment sooner, rather than later, depending on what all IS actually new. Let it go long enough and you'll have a burnt valve or seat. It could be timing too, but the cough and not backfire says valve adjustment. To me. Maybe someone more knowledgeable will say otherwise? Nice looking machine, too and welcome to the forum.Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:Have you adjusted the carburetor yet?  Under ideal conditions you turn the mixture screw in until the engine runs rough, then turn it out until it's smooth.  When you start turning it in you'll notice the flapper bouncing up and down.Too low an idle speed can also cause this so have the proper speed set first.  As can improper timing adjustments.In my experience (usually) if everything else is set-up right and in good condition,  and the flapper pops once in a while, then the mixture is set a little rich.Good luck Last edited by slowhand; 10-21-2011 at 05:48 AM.
Reply:Will try to post a short video on youtube in a couple of weeks after this job.  Maybe a video of it coughing will help a little to diagnose.  I'm begining to think that it could be a combination of things like yall said.  Carb, timing and valves.  Thanks for your comments.
Reply:A friend of mine recently had a similar problem with his red-face.  Coughing and hacking while on idle.  He finally traced the problem to a cracked point-plate inside the magneto. Just a thought.Good luck manLast edited by slowhand; 10-21-2011 at 06:01 PM.