A problem drive today

[HanksB3B]

O.K., it's a little warm and I did climb a long (2 miles) fairly steep incline (was listening to the radio). The Temp Gauge moved toward 212 maybe ran at 190+ or so. Parked the truck shopped for 15 min. tried to start. Hot start symptoms: Not much cranking power pulled the throttle all the way out (thinking about float boil over) and luckily it started. Made it down the hill (could have used disc brakes for sure) and almost into the next stop parking space but it died two ladies in Mercedes stuck behind me short. I told them nicely "My truck stalled and I'll have to back down the hill". I popped the clutch in reverse and got it started. Screw the chicken (not literally) shopping and get her home (not the chicken silly the truck). Almost home, last signal light and I stall, once again I'm lucky I'm on a hill. I roll down and pop the clutch, it starts but wants to stall. I hand hold the throttle keep it borderline reasonably revved up and make it home without AAA. Pull it into it's parking spot and let it run finally down to normal idle and shut it off.

My thoughts:

1. It'll probably start right up tomorrow morning like nothing happened.

2. A heat shield might have helped ((if it's the boil over syndrome (the float has been checked and adjusted already))

(Does anyone have a link or a drawing so that I can make one)

3. Playing the radio combined with running hot may have left the truck in a borderline start situation.

(Power Input 6.3V at 6.8 amps)

4. Failing? Fuel Pump? (do they start to not work, or do they just work or not work one or the other?)

(Waiting for Scruffy to get back to me on this)

5. Its a charging problem. How much voltage can I set the regulator to? (6-Volt Optima Battery)

Remains unanswered as of now

Thanks Pilothouse gentlemen,

Hank

Edited July 20, 2012 by HanksB3B

[Scruffy49]

Both fuel pumps I've had fail kind of gradually faded away. My other Dodge (69 D100) has to be primed via gas can before I even think of starting it. Last time the Pilot House ran it was the same way.

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Hank;

Just a few thoughts. A radio.....even a special one like yours should not draw enough juice to pull a battery down that quickly. Especially with the engine running. I just had my generator rebuilt and the test spec's were fairly impressive. I would think that if there were some significant problem with it you would see it on the Amp gauge.

I know you probably couldn't pop the hood and check the two glass bowls while all this way going on. It is too bad we can't see them from the cab as they are great indicators. When I was running my engine a couple of weeks ago I got to see this first hand. I was using a small outboard fuel tank with 5$ in it to test the engine. After a few carb removals and about 45 minutes of running time I heard the engine stumble and looked quickly at these glass bowls. Sure enough I was starting to suck air at the fuel pump. You can see it clear as day. It was an easy fix to go over to the reserve on the tank. I am fairly certain if a fuel pump was failing a close observation of these bowls while the engine is running would show you what you needed to know.

Of course I could be off base here.....It may just be that fuel you siphoned out of Marks truck.

Jeff

[MBF]

Do you have a heat shield on your fuel pump? Mine started doing something similar after percolating when the engine was hot and I shut it off-vapor locking. It got worse with the new formulation of gas a few yrs ago-the heat shield eliminated the problem. Also check your battery connections, cable (make sure they're not corroded internally and that they're the proper guage for the voltage you're running), the post on the starter, and the ground from motor to batt, and batt to body. Poor grounds can cause a lot of electrical problems. Mike

[HanksB3B]

Both fuel pumps I've had fail kind of gradually faded away. My other Dodge (69 D100) has to be primed via gas can before I even think of starting it. Last time the Pilot House ran it was the same way.

Scruffy,

Thanks. Were these electrical or mechanical fuel pumps we're talking about?

Hank

[Reg Evans]

Sounds to me like it's time to sell. How much ya want ?

[HanksB3B]

I'd like all of yours! Oh you mean mine? Not for sale!

Hank, of course it's for sale. Now Hank, don't be ridiculous...you've owned that truck way too long

Reg, I like "Old Yeller" much more than Hank's Truck, are you still at the 15667 address?

Jay

[Reg Evans]

Oh Jay.....you're such a card ! Yes, I'm still at that address but please leave me with at least a few old vehicles. You've gotten all my Dusenberg's.

Hanks truck should be fine for you as long as you stay on level ground.