How should a Ford 9N sound?

[Oggie]

I finally got the fuel line problems worked out on a 1939 9N. It runs fairly smoothly but, when it's warmed up and running at a fairly high RPM, I hear what I think might be minor backfiring. Not a pop, more of a "bomp" -- very muted.

The guy that owned it said, "Oh, it's always done that."

Is it normal? I'm wondering if I should bother replacing sparkplug wires, taking the distributor of to replace points and condenser, etc. if the minor noise won't get any better.

[Bearfootfarm]

A tune up couldnt hurt. If YOU were born in '39 , youd probably "bomp" once in a while too!

[EDDIE BUCK]

Turn the distributor just a tad each way and listen for it to smooth out. my 2 cent.

[agmantoo]

Those old Fords did not have much of a distributor advance and what they had worked poorly. That said, the engine will not run across its speed range with the timing optimum. The noise could be a firing of a plug a little late or early when a valve is not fully closed. I would leave it alone, particularly if it starts good as is.