Folks,

Having an issue with my old bird.  Fuel is not getting into my carb when I drive It very short distances.  Replaced the fuel pump today same issue.  Purchased pump on line Airtex model I believe.  Here are the symptoms. 
1.  While idling all is well, fuel filter full.  Running around block starts to stall.  When I open the hood fuel filter is dry, then car will stall. Have trouble restarting car. 
2.  Removed fuel lines tested for clogs, all clear
3.  Getting close to going with an electric fuel pump, which I really don't want to do.  
 Any help would be greatly appreciated.  

Lee

2 things, look at the fuel tank vent (plugged causing a vacuum in the tank) 2nd fuel boiling in the carb, this is caused when you are missing the insulator under the carb and or the fuel line to close to heat sources (block, manifold) 

Hey Cliff,

Thanks for the quick reply, is the fuel tank vent easily accessible?  Never thought about looking around the gas tank.  

I had a similar problem on my 56 F100. It turned out to be the small length of flexible fuel line that comes out directly from the tank to the hard line.  It had dry rotted and was sucking a slight amount of air causing fuel starvation.  It was hard to detect since the fuel line has a sheath of woven metal around it.  I'm not sure if your T-bird has this small length of hose.

No soft line between the tank and the steel line on a Bird.  If your carb has a Viton float needle, it may be sticking in the seat and not allowing fuel to enter the fuel bowl.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

There should be an access plate in the trunk that lets you remove the fuel level sender and look in the tank. Carefully, of course. I had a similar problem with my 55 bird and turned out to be a handful of loose raffle tickets someone had dropped in the tank. When the fuel level got below 1/2 tank, they'd get sucked up and block the inlet (IIRC there a filter sock or something on it). When the engine died and the suction went away, they'd fall off and the car would restart after cranking for a while. Might also check the rubber hose from the frame to the pump. As well as the needle/set John mentioned. Ethanol seems to increase the rubber deterioration so even replacements should be modern hoses made to resistant the ethanol.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

The easy way to tell if the Vent is the Problem is leave Gas Cap off and see if it makes a Difference. The Vent Line runs from the Tank up the Filler Neck

  

appreciate the feedback, carb is brand new so that can be ruled out.  How can I test the new fuel pump to ensure it is working correctly?  Fuel pump does feel hot to the touch after it stalls. 
Thanks again

If it's a 55 or 56 Bird, venting is through the cap.  Do as suggested above about removing the cap and driving around.  Another way to check the vent is running the car until it stops.  Then remove the cap on the tank.  If you get a whooosh, then it's a vent problem.  If that's the problem, then get a new cap or just drill a 1/16 hole in the cap.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I've got one of those old pressure/vacuum gauges with a single 1/8" straight fitting for checking the vacuum and a slide on rubber  taper to check fuel pressure. I held it on the fuel line coming from the pump to the  carb and had my wife crank over the starter with the coil wire pulled to check pressure and it was a little over 4 psi. I did change the flex fuel line to the pump with one for a 57 "C" word. fit perfect. It was rated for ethanol fuel.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.