VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 Fuel Problem ????

Hi, my 1935 standard stops running after I drive it a half mile or so I thought it was the fuel pump so I had it rebuilt and it seems to be pumping fine now. If I pour a few drops of gas in the carb it will run for a few seconds. After it cool down a little it will start and run again. The fuel is clear and clean with no dirt in the filter that I added or in the glass bowl. Could this be a bad accelerator pump in the carb? I thought about vapor locking but it never did before.
Any help would be much appreciated,
Thanks Jim

My first thought is dirt in the gas tank/fuel line.
I would suggest blowing air in the fuel line, disconnecting it behind the fuel pump.
Will not be the acelerator pump or vapor lock. It is just plain running out of gas after a short soak period.
Also possible the the needle valve in the carburetor is varnished and sticking.
Removing the fuel line from the carb. a squirting some type of solvent could fix this.

I agree. Same thing happen to me and it was a bee in the fuel line just before the pump.

Thanks I will try that first thing in the morning. I appreciate the help!!!!!!

Is the gas cap vent open?

I will check that also in the morning, thanks !!!!!!!!

If all this does not work change out the coil. Coils fail most of the time after they warm up.

a plugged gas cap vent will allow the engine to run for several miles as a rule. Will also emit a vaccum passage noise when cap is removed.

I think I have some dirt in the tank after blowing air back through the gas line I siphoned the gas out of the tank and found some small round balls of dirt that are soft but would cause a problem. I'm taking it the upholstery shop this afternoon and will not have it back for a couple of weeks. When I get it back I will pull the tank and clean it out. I think I will put a new sending unit in it when I have it out.
Thanks for all your help, you guys are great!!!!!!!
Jim

Replacing the sending unit? is there a problem with the old one?

Yes it stopped working. I tested the gage and it is ok. It reads full ungrounded and empty grounded.

Maybe the float disintegrated on the old unit.

Could be when I get it back from the upholstery shop I will tear into it and let you know.

If there is dirt in the tank, your glass bowl should show dirt. Is the gas properly vaporizing? So many things to look at.

I'm not sure how to check if the gas properly vaporizing? If you can tell me how to check this it would be appreciated I'm always up to learning something. The dirt I got out of the tank was larger than the fuel line. I had put some seafoam in the tank and I think it may have loosened up some dirt? Mistake live and learn.

Take off the air cleaner and activate the throttle arm. If there is enough gas in the carburetor you should see a squirt of gas in the carb throat. If no squirt then there likely is a gas problem. Could be a carburetor problem if there is no squirt when the engine has not been run or just started.

Thanks I will check that as soon as I get it back.

Ok, that makes sense. What has me thinking fuel is if I put a couple drops in the carb it will fire up.

Yesterday when I took it to the upholster it fire up I drove on the trailer and when I got there it fire up and I drove it in the shop no problem. It is messing with me !!!!!!!!

This type issue occurs relatively often and can be hard to diagnose. You can think fuel as adding a bit of fuel can get them to run. However, it can be ignition if taking the time to get and dispense the fuel allows the offending ignition part time to cool down. If a fuel problem most often the engine will slow, cough, sputter and then die. Ignition problems (particularly points) can do the same thing. But, generally when the engine just quits, like turning off the key, it is ignition related. I have had coils on my '28 that overheat and kill the engine. Mostly that happens with slow engine speed and higher load (climbing a long hill), parade or ?

Good luck it can be very frustrating.

I took the tank out today and it's a mess inside. I'm going to put a new tank on her but not sure where is the best place to get a stock tank? I checked the filling station and they don't seem to have a stock tank for a 1935 standard. Any suggestions ?????
Thanks Jim

I doubt you will find a new accurate tank. I would first try to clean what you have. Some radiator shops still clean gas tanks. Otherwise there are plenty of home remedies.

Try tanksinc.com or gastanks.com or ebay if you are careful.

Tanks inc has one that will fit but it is 2" deeper and 4 extra gals

Thanks Jim

This morning I presser washed it. I got a lot of crud out of it but that only gets the two ends. I'm now going to put lacquer thinner in it and let it soak and keep doing that till it comes out clear. The tank looks good other than the crud.

Thanks Jim