Starving for fuel??!!

[BloodyKnuckles]

Our 2 speed Powerflite DeSoto is starving for fuel when it winds out (not even a hard throttle) and shifts into second. It will fall on it's face! It is progressively getting worse. I decided to rebuild the carb today but unfortunately that wasn't the problem. It does run much better though, especially during initial take off, no more hesitation.

I'm guessing it's the fuel pump. I have a new one but I'm curious on 6V electric fuel pumps. Would you replace with a mechanical or electrical one?

Any bit of guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

BloodyKnuckles

[Don Coatney]

Ron;

A mechanical fuel pump was good when these cars were new. Still good today in my book. Good idea to add a fuel filter before the fuel pump. I am running a mechanical fuel pump and I have almost as many miles on my car as you put on yours going to Vegas:cool:

[NatesSedan]

Possible rust or gum in the gas tank? My filter showed ok even though there was huge amounts of sediment plugging the pick up.

[PatS....]

A pinch or dent in the fuel line along the frame?

Will flow well until high demand and then can't get enough fuel through fast enough?

[BloodyKnuckles]

Guys, Thanks for the comments. I will check out the fuel line along the frame. That made good sense. I will try the new mechanical pump first.

Thanks again,

BloodyKnuckles

[greg g]

Ron I have been dealing with a rusty tank. I replaced my three fuel filters after having a stalling problem on my trip to Va. The other thing to check is the screen in the fuel pump. Pull the center bolt on the bottom chamber and open it up. Thee is a screen in there which may be partially blocked with crud. Also disconnect the rubber hose on the frame side of the pump (suction side) and blow some low pressure copmpressed air back through the line. There is an Oillite intank filter, the air flow will also blow the crud out of it. then check the flow from te pump.

Disconnect the line at the carb and direct the flow into a clear container, a 20 oz soda or water bottle works well. Dow disconnect the oli wire and have your better half crank the starter. Watch the pulses of fule coming from the pump. Count twelve strokes, that should yield between 8 and 12 ounces of gas in the bottle. If its thee you chould be good to go, any less indicated flow restriction somewhere.

[Normspeed]

If it has a flex hose between the steel line and the pump, check it for cracking. Could also have some built up fine rust in the restricted areas of the steel line. Sometimes you can blow compressed air back thru the line and clear it for a while.

I use a 6v electric, had one fail but this one seems good. I carry a spare just in case. I like the quick starts even after not being run for a couple weeks, plus the security aspect.

[BloodyKnuckles]

Ron I have been dealing with a rusty tank. I replaced my three fuel filters after having a stalling problem on my trip to Va. The other thing to check is the screen in the fuel pump. Pull the center bolt on the bottom chamber and open it up. Thee is a screen in there which may be partially blocked with crud. Also disconnect the rubber hose on the frame side of the pump (suction side) and blow some low pressure copmpressed air back through the line. There is an Oillite intank filter, the air flow will also blow the crud out of it. then check the flow from te pump.

Disconnect the line at the carb and direct the flow into a clear container, a 20 oz soda or water bottle works well. Dow disconnect the oli wire and have your better half crank the starter. Watch the pulses of fule coming from the pump. Count twelve strokes, that should yield between 8 and 12 ounces of gas in the bottle. If its thee you chould be good to go, any less indicated flow restriction somewhere.

Greg, That is great information!!! I will let you know tomorrow. I will check that screen.

Thanks again,

BloodyKnuckles

[Don Jordan]

I was having the same problem. I drove 100 miles with no problems. 20 miles from home it was starving for gas. I made it home. I have (though I didn't know it at the time) 3 fuel filters. One up by the carb, one on the out put side of the electric fuel pump. I changed them both but the problem continued.

I pulled the rear drum off for brakes and saw another filter between the gas tank and pump. Changed that one and that problem was solved.

(of course I found I have a bent rear drum - but that's for another thread)

[billwillard]

Change any and all in line filters and if you have a glass bowl on your pump clean the screen in there. The rubber line that goes to the pump often comes apart inside so would be one of the first things i would replace. NAPA or Car Quest should have. Are you going to Oakboro to night? I am off the walker now and think I may be able to make it.

Bill

[greg g]

I replaced my flex tube with a short length of steel tubing cut in half. I offset the ends and spliced in a loop of neoprene tubing to take up for engine movement.

[TodFitch]

Nobody has mentioned the rubber hose from the frame to the engine. Modern gas will cause old style rubber to swell up inside and block flow.

These are two pieces of fuel hose off of a Valiant. The one on the right is totally blocked. The one on the left is only open where you see it as that is where it was clamped over the metal tubing.

Replace your hose with one made from modern materials. Don't use NOS.

[BloodyKnuckles]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!!!

Everyone who has responded your time has been greatly appreciated!!

Heres what was done to remedy this;

Initially rebuilt the carb.

Checked the suction from the mechanical pump, none.

Replaced with new one, put it on, nothing, no suction.

Took it back off, tore it completely apart, soaked all rubber parts in gas to soften them up.

Re-installed the pump.

Replaced the rubber line from the frame to the engine.

Blew out the gas line back to the tank to clear any screen or debris.

Blew the line to the pump.

Blew the line from the pump to the carb.

Primed the fuel pump and carb and fired that mother up!!

It ran so well after all that has been done. The wife can't believe how well it runs.

If it wasn't for all the help here I probably wouldn't have found the problem.

So, again, Thank all of you very much.

Sincerley,

Ron...AKA BloodyKnuckles

[greg g]

Good to hear Hernando is in exploration mode again.

[Don Coatney]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!!!

Everyone who has responded your time has been greatly appreciated!!

Heres what was done to remedy this;

Initially rebuilt the carb.

Checked the suction from the mechanical pump, none.

Replaced with new one, put it on, nothing, no suction.

Took it back off, tore it completely apart, soaked all rubber parts in gas to soften them up.

Re-installed the pump.

Replaced the rubber line from the frame to the engine.

Blew out the gas line back to the tank to clear any screen or debris.

Blew the line to the pump.

Blew the line from the pump to the carb.

Primed the fuel pump and carb and fired that mother up!!

It ran so well after all that has been done. The wife can't believe how well it runs.

If it wasn't for all the help here I probably wouldn't have found the problem.

So, again, Thank all of you very much.

Sincerley,

Ron...AKA BloodyKnuckles

Ron;

You did a lot and glad the problem is fixed. Do you know what actually fixed the problem?

[BloodyKnuckles]

You know what sucks? I don't. I somewhat believe it was the pump. It leaked around the diaphram screws so it may have had an air leak and wasn't holding suction therefor not keeping the carb full.

Hernando is exploring again with a new set of shoes too! That's for another thread.

BloodyKnuckles