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By RossL - 2 Weeks Ago
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My car stalled out on the road. There was a little fuel in the filter bowl, but when removed the top of the carb it was empty. I removed the fuel cap, no change. I removed the fuel line into the carb kept cranking for a minute or two and the fuel started flowing. The car started and I made it home, but I noticed a lot of bubbles in the filter bowl. There are no leaks ANYWHERE. I would assume if air is making it into the filter there would be a fuel leak wherever the air can enter(???)
Last year I replaced the tank, all hard fuel lines, the hose that feeds the pump and I had the pump rebuilt (pump was a "made in Canada" version that came with the car).
This week, I bought another rebuilt AC fuel pump (from AG Rebuilders) and a new 55 vented fuel cap. Went for a ride the same thing happened after 40 minutes the car feels like it's running out of fuel (tank was filled today and it's still at least 3/4 full).
I am going to empty the tank, to ensure everything is clean and look at the tank pickup with a bore scope.
Any other ideas?
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By Lou - 2 Weeks Ago
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Replace the fuel filter.
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By Deyomatic - 2 Weeks Ago
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Another vote for the filter.
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By RossL - 2 Weeks Ago
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I changed the fuel filter today it didn't make any difference. The old filter was 5 months old no sign of dirt I also checked the screen filter in the carb which was clean
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By Deyomatic - 2 Weeks Ago
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Have you changed anything else? Did you remove a carburetor spacer or something? It almost sounds like vapor lock but it’s not even hot yet.
Could you have a bad carburetor or power valve or something and it’s leaking back into the engine? How does the oil smell?
Have you had the car on the road for awhile?
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By RossL - 2 Weeks Ago
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Deyomatic (4/17/2025)
Have you changed anything else? Did you remove a carburetor spacer or something? It almost sounds like vapor lock but it’s not even hot yet. Could you have a bad carburetor or power valve or something and it’s leaking back into the engine? How does the oil smell? Have you had the car on the road for awhile?
I bought the car October 2023. Last January 2024 I replaced the tank, all steel fuel lines, the hose that feeds the pump, new gas cap, pump rebuilt (made in Canada).
Yesterday I installed an original AC fuel pump made in USA that was rebuilt and I tried a new gas cap. No change
Today, I drained the tank there was some dirt in there. But I don't think it was enough to clog the tank pickup. I also blew out the fuel lines with compressed air.
The car is running well. When I first started the car the fuel filter was at least 3/4 after driving 20 minutes the fuel level dropped towards the bottom of the filter. And the bubbles are still in the filter bowl intermittently.
I am going to try to see if the hardlines from pump to tank have any leaks. I assumed if there was a leak I would see brake fluid coming out, but someone said before the pump the line is vacuum and if there is a pinhole it might let air in and it might be too small for a fluid leak.
Someone suggested to disconnect the lines plug one end and apply vacuum and see if it holds.
An electric pump might be in my future
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By Daniel Jessup - Last Week
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Do you run fuel that has ethanol in it? If so, check out this article I wrote - it has video as well showing the bubbling because of the low boiling point of ethanol.
https://www.hotrodreverend.com/post/2019/07/13/1955-ford-part-81-running-with-the-devil
At times, gas stations have way more than 10% ethanol in their "gasoline" and that only makes matters worse. Get a tank of that and it's really a problem. Ted Eaton has more on this concerning fuel that has ethanol and his personal testing of the percentages. Typically, the high octane version at the pump will have the least amount of ethanol.
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By Ted - 2 Weeks Ago
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An air leak on the suction side of the fuel pump is a possibility. If still using an original style fuel pump inlet hose, then check the connection on that hose that hooks up to the steel line that runs to the back of the vehicle. I have seen those steel line flared ends with cracks which will allow air to suck in thus either reducing or stopping the fuel flow to the pump.
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By RossL - 2 Weeks Ago
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In NJ non ethanol is VERY difficult to find. I have been running regular. I will try Premium.
Last night I checked fuel pump pressure at idle (about 600 RPM) pressure was between 1 and 2. As I increased RPM's the pressure went up to 4. The pump I have in the car was rebuilt by AG Rebuilders and it's an original AC pump. I just got it this week
It is 75 degrees here today I took the car out to do further testing. I measured the temperatures of the top of the fuel pump and the glass filter top. Both were at ambient temp. Started the car the filter was 90% full and no bubbles. After 20 minutes of non highway driving the pump was about 120 and the filter was about 100. When I got home the temp of the pump was 145 (filter assembly stays cooler). Temperature around the head were the temp sensor is was 170
I parked for ten minutes when I started the car it died in my driveway.
I removed the fuel line to the carb and it was NOT pumping. I removed the gas cap, no change.
I poured water on the fuel pump it cooled down to 120 and started pumping again.
After viewing Dan's video I am thinking it may be more related to heat/ maybe the pump needs more pressure to over come the heat?????
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By RossL - 2 Weeks Ago
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I went out again (put in premium fuel) and the car stalled on the road (2nd time today). Completely stopped pumping fuel (fuel pump temp about 145). I tried using the water to cool the pump but that did not help (this used to work on another car I had). I removed the line to the carb and no fuel was pumping, it was bone dry. After sitting there for 10 minutes and cranking on/off it started to spit a little and then it eventually flowed normally. It's almost as if It has to overcome a blockage "somewhere".
A few people have mentioned a possible leak on the vacuum side of the pump, as Ted mentioned above.
I am going to run a temporary fuel line from the tank to the pump and see if it makes a difference with the bubbles and the "blockage".
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By Deyomatic - 2 Weeks Ago
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Sure sounds like vapor lock...
https://www.prestigemoto.com/hardcore-tech/blog/vapor-lock-and-how-to-avoid-it.html#gref
My old 'F100 would have a hard time starting when the engine was hot. It took me a long time to figure it out but it didn't get any airflow under the hood. The headers got hot under there. Eventually I added some vent holes in the wheel wells but I also never had a problem once it was running.
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By RossL - Last Week
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Yesterday the car would run fine in the garage, after 30/40 minutes idling with the hood down it would stall out. Carb was EMPTY at that point
Today I bypassed the tank, all the lines along the frame, I also removed the fuel filter and put a T in so I could watch fuel pressure. Pressure was 5/5.5
I made a gravity feed temporary fuel tank out of a paint can and ran a hose directly to the pump inlet.. I put a fitting in the bottom of the paint can I hung the can from one of the hood latches, so fuel would naturally run down to the pump. The car ran for an hour. Then I ran it again for an hour and fifteen minutes no problems and fuel pressure was consistent.
This was encouraging BUT I wanted to see how it would react if the pump had to do all the work. I raised the car and ran a hose into a can under the car. Still no tank, no hard lines, no hose from hardline to the pump, no filter. The car started and maintained 5 pound of pressure. After 30 minutes the idle started slowing down, but for a few seconds the pump was still at 5 pounds.............a few more seconds the fuel pressure gauge started fluttering, the car stalled and the carb was empty.
I am going to try my spare carb because that's the only thing I haven't changed. I am in NJ and the temps have been in 60-80 degrees during this time period. Last August I drove the car for 2 hours in 90 degree weather with the AC on without a problem
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By Saltshaker - Last Week
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I had a similar problem with my 1955 XXXXXXXXXX. I fought with it for a good part of a summer. Turned out to be piece of something that appeared to be Saran Wrap. It would drift up against the fuel outlet and plug it. Then the fuel line to the carb would be dry. Opening the fuel line at the carb apparently broke the vacuum and the "Saran Wrap" drifted away only to plug it a few days later.
We were in high school at the time and didn't have a lot of car savvy, but we learned a lot about fuel systems from that.
You said you replaced the tank with a new one. Did the problem occur with the old tank, or just the new one? If was with the old one too, you would have to assume it wasn't something floating around in the tank.
Good luck solving it.
Don
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By Saltshaker - Last Week
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RossL
Sorry, I missed your last post. You've gone beyond the tank being an issue.
Don
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By Deyomatic - Last Week
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What has been changed since last August?
Can you try a different fuel pump?
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By Stiggy - Last Week
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Quote from your last reply ~ "The car started and maintained 5 pound of pressure. After 30 minutes the idle started slowing down, but for a few seconds the pump was still at 5 pounds.............a few more seconds the fuel pressure gauge started fluttering, the car stalled and the carb was empty." Could it be the needle stuck or sticking closed in the seat?... Stig.
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By Lou - Last Week
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Is the gas cap vented? Try running the car without the gas cap.
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By Lou - Last Week
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Is the gas cap vented? Try running the car with out the gas cap.
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By RossL - 4 days ago
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Lou (4/22/2025)
Is the gas cap vented? Try running the car with out the gas cap.
I've tried two gas caps and even tried no gas cap. This did not change the out come.
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By RossL - 4 days ago
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Deyomatic (4/21/2025)
What has been changed since last August? Can you try a different fuel pump?
I have two rebuilt fuel pumps. They both are doing the same thing
I changed out the carburetor in November.
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By FORD DEARBORN - Last Week
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Many years ago while trying to solve very similar problems on a Jeep, I discovered the small screen filter built into the inlet connection of the carburetor had a lot of heavy rust debris where that screen filter resided. When fuel was flowing, the particles would one by one begin to accumulate on the screen, eventually blocking it. Engine would quit, then within a few minutes after the particles separated from the screen, the engine could be restarted and the process repeats. You did state you tried another carb but not sure when that happened. Good luck....
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By RossL - Last Week
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FORD DEARBORN (4/23/2025)
Many years ago while trying to solve very similar problems on a Jeep, I discovered the small screen filter built into the inlet connection of the carburetor had a lot of heavy rust debris where that screen filter resided. When fuel was flowing, the particles would one by one begin to accumulate on the screen, eventually blocking it. Engine would quit, then within a few minutes after the particles separated from the screen, the engine could be restarted and the process repeats. You did state you tried another carb but not sure when that happened. Good luck....
I didn't test the second carb yet. Hopefully tomorrow. Earlier in the week I checked the screen in the carb inlet and it was clear (replaced last year)
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By RossL - Last Week
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$8 cure for vapor lock$8 Cure for vapor lockDaniel Jessup (4/18/2025)
Do you run fuel that has ethanol in it? If so, check out this article I wrote - it has video as well showing the bubbling because of the low boiling point of ethanol. https://www.hotrodreverend.com/post/2019/07/13/1955-ford-part-81-running-with-the-devilAt times, gas stations have way more than 10% ethanol in their "gasoline" and that only makes matters worse. Get a tank of that and it's really a problem. Ted Eaton has more on this concerning fuel that has ethanol and his personal testing of the percentages. Typically, the high octane version at the pump will have the least amount of ethanol.
I think the problem is due to heat as you indicated. I drove this car in above 90 degree weather last year with the AC on for an hour or two no issues whatsoever. I'm not ready to start making changes until I test everything else.
I did this on a Corvette a few years back and I might try it again.
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