Ailing Autocar
Q: My 1943 Autocar 5-ton has not been idling smoothly. It is also getting harder and harder to start. I checked the points and found a lump of what looks like melted metal on one contact and a tiny hole in the other contact. Could there be a short in the distributor?
A: Probably not. What you describe is called metal transfer and is usually caused by either a failing condenser or a condenser of the wrong value for your truck’s ignition system. Assuming your truck had the correct condenser to begin with, it has probably failed and needs replacement — along with the points, of course. If, after replacing these items, you again find metal transfer on the points, check to see which contact has the mound of metal. If the mound is on the positive contact (on the breaker point movable arm) then try installing a condenser of greater capacity.
Five-Quarter Fuel Pump
Q: My M725 ambulance needs a new fuel pump. I found a pump for a civilian Jeep pickup still on the shelf of a local auto parts store. Will a civilian pump work on my military engine?
: In most cases, yes, though some civilian fuel pumps were not
