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6/30/2013 4:19 PM  #1


Fuel starvation problem

Greetings all,

I've been experiencing fuel starvation problems with my 66 coupe (rebuilt 289, Summit 600 carb, C4 auto).  After sitting for about 3 weeks, I drove the car about a mile when it died after taking my foot off the gas pedal to come to a stop.  I have two disposable filters on the gas line, one before the fuel pump and another before the carburetor.  In checking, I noticed the filter before the fuel pump was full and the one before the carburetor almost empty.  I limped home, drained the remaining fuel from my tank, replaced both fuel filters and the fuel pump, and put new gas in the tank.  The same problem continued.  I then checked the floats on my Summit carb.  All seemed OK but I replaced the needles and seats and reset the level of the floats.  I started the car and it ran great.  Both fuel filters were initially full, but after about 30 minutes, the one before the carburetor started getting low.  A short time later the one before the fuel pump did the same thing.  I'm stumped.  Checking the car a couple of hours later, I find that both filters refilled.  What the ....?  What am I missing?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Jimmy G

 

6/30/2013 4:35 PM  #2


Re: Fuel starvation problem

Your gas cap might not be venting which creates suction in the tank - the longer you run it the worse it gets and letting it sit a while often relieves it for a bit.  Also, potentially, the filter before your fuel pump might be creating "inadequate suction pressure head" - in other words too much restriction in the low pressure side of the pump.

What kind of spacer are you running between your carb and manifold?  Overheated bowls in the summer can create weird symtoms with the needles and seats - sometimes gas will blow past and other times closing them off.  What is the exact pump you are running and what size is your fuel line from the tank?  Any chance the small flex hose from the tank is kinked and restriction flow?

I guess another possiblitiy could be a clogged pickup tube screen in the tank.  Do you know the history of the tank as in new/old/resealed?

 

6/30/2013 5:11 PM  #3


Re: Fuel starvation problem

Thanks for your thoughts.  The tank and fuel sending unit are about 5 to 6 years old.  I replaced them initially when I started the project.  The carb has a one inch spacer and the fuel pump is the standard NAPA mechanical replacement.  I have the rear end up in the air now.  No kink in the small fuel line.  It's the standard 5/16ths.  I'm going to drain the tank again and pull the sending unit to see if that filter/screen is clogged.  If that checks out, I'll try running it without the fuel pump filter.  Hopefully one of these ideas will keep it running.

Thanks again,

Jimmy G    

     Thread Starter
 

6/30/2013 5:15 PM  #4


Re: Fuel starvation problem

When you drain the tank, drain it through a fine white hankerchief or something so you can inspect what is coming out.  Your problem sounds like classic rotten gas tank, but if only 6 years old, and in continuous use, that is not likely.  If it ever sat long enough for the gas to turn to varnish, you might want to spend the $99 and replace the tank again.  What about the steel line?  Is it possibly dirty and scaling off?

Fuel pumps are pretty cheap for your car, under $20, so that might be something to try.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

6/30/2013 7:28 PM  #5


Re: Fuel starvation problem

I had a fuel starvation today. Tank showed 1/4 left. Note to self that gas gauge is not correct. Daughter brought me 5 gallons of fuel, dumped it in and car ran fine.


67 Coupe, 5.0 EEC IV Fuel injected. T5, 3:70 rear
 

7/01/2013 3:32 PM  #6


Re: Fuel starvation problem

Also check your rubber fuel hoses. They don't hold up to new crappy gas. Take air compressor hose with blower nozzle, then blow from the frame line back into tank. You can also do this with the line unhooked from your sender.  Sometimes crap and rust builds up in the fuel lines and causes funky problems.

 

7/01/2013 3:51 PM  #7


Re: Fuel starvation problem

Jimmy, start simple - progress toward hard.  Drive the car around your neighborhood for about 10 or 15 minutes.  Stop the car - if it doesn't stop on it's own.  Place your ear close to the gas cap - loosen gas cap.  If you hear a "whoosh", your gas cap is not venting.  Fix/replace gas cap.
Good Luck

 

Board footera


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