Robert Horne Posted June 7, 2011 Report Posted June 7, 2011 Last Fall I backed my 38 Plymouth Coupe into the shop to spend some time on it over the winter. Today, I got the new battery hooked up, put in new gas, about ready to fire it up. Turned on iginition for a little, but the electric fuel pump would not stop. Took the top off the carb, to check float. There was no needle valve. How have I been driving it around the property for years with no needle valve? Took a valve out of a Ford carb and fit it to work. Float ok now, but electric fuel pump will build up alot of pressure but not shut off. Have to get a new pump tomorrow. Quote
Young Ed Posted June 7, 2011 Report Posted June 7, 2011 I'd be looking for a proper needle and seat too. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted June 7, 2011 Report Posted June 7, 2011 I have an Airtex electric pump and so far, it has never shut off. I turn on the ignition and listen for the pump as it fills the carb. But, it never stops. I have no flooding symptoms and it runs good with decent mileage. The pump, however, does not stop. Quote
Robert Horne Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Posted June 7, 2011 My pump is a Mr Gasket pump, low pressure,,,it always shut off when pressure built up. Quote
randroid Posted June 7, 2011 Report Posted June 7, 2011 Took the top off the carb, to check float. There was no needle valve. How have I been driving it around the property for years with no needle valve? Robert, That is so absurd as to be hilarious! I'm truly busting a gut over that one! It can't work so you can't use it but it did work and you did use it. I find no pleasure in your discomfort but I'm ready to go into the fetal position because, once you fix it what the hell else can go wrong? You will, of course, notify us when you find the spare tire in the gas tank? -Randy Quote
greg g Posted June 7, 2011 Report Posted June 7, 2011 Well according to the guy who did the machine work on my engine, a very famous drag racer developed a system of using carburetors for some of his innovative racing cars. The racer in question was Don Gartlitts, with whom the machine shop guy worked back in the 50 and early 60. Back in those days Don G was running Ford flathead V8's in his cars, and the common carburettor was the Holley 94 and 97. These were and are finicky regarding fuel pressure and float level. So much so that Don decided to make a modification to take these items out of the equation. He determined a level optimum level of fuel in the bowl, removed the float and needle, and drilled a hole at that level i the carbs. the he ran return lines to the fuel tank, creating in essence one of the first recirculation fuel system, where fuel pump flow and pressure could be higher than usually tolerated by the finicky carbs, and more suited for the flow necessary for full throttle acceleration contests. Quote
Robert Horne Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Posted June 7, 2011 This morning I installed a fuel pressure gauge close to the carb. The Ford needle valve working good, float level good. The gauge is running about 5psi, steady, and the electric fuel pump does not shut off like it did last year. Quote
Robert Horne Posted June 7, 2011 Author Report Posted June 7, 2011 Robert,That is so absurd as to be hilarious! I'm truly busting a gut over that one! It can't work so you can't use it but it did work and you did use it. I find no pleasure in your discomfort but I'm ready to go into the fetal position because, once you fix it what the hell else can go wrong? You will, of course, notify us when you find the spare tire in the gas tank? -Randy I guess I am lucky that I do not have a spare tire yet. Quote
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