I agree with Ted, but I've read in a couple of places, various people stating that fuel is going from the carb (because it's higher than the tank) back to the tank.  But it does not make sense that the fuel can get by a "closed needle/seat"  Hopefully next week I will run the car, take the lid off the carb and see how much fuel is in the bowl and how long it stays there.  I beleive there is a check valve in the fuel pump that should block the fuel from feeding back into the tank.

Do I understand that you have the electric pump in the engine compartment ? To me , that is playing with fire.





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

Correct.

A BIRD runs hot because of poor engine compartment ventilation (mainly). When the engine is shut-off, it experiences heat soak (coolant is not circulating) and the fuel is boiled out of the fuel bowls. And there is also evaporation happening as there is no EVAP SYS. Ethanol laced gasoline has a lower boiling point than E0 gasoline.

An electric primer pump is the easiest way out. If initiated by a toggle switch, use a spring loaded return to OFF position in case you forget.

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This is just my opinion so other opinions always welcome.  The carburetor is not draining back.  I can say that with confidence knowing that the needle and seat assembly is positioned above the fuel level.  My experience is that the ethanol laden fuels simply evaporate much more quickly than the older non-ethanol fuels.  The premium grade is what I use in my carbureted vehicles simply due to it having only 3-5% ethanol versus the 87-89 octane fuels which have 10% ethanol.

My ’50 with its original flathead has a similar issue in that the carburetor dries up after just a few days of not running.  The fix for it was an electric pulse fuel pump with a toggle switch to push fuel to the carburetor before attempting to start the engine.  Other than the electric pump being used for this purpose, the power to the fuel pump is kept in the off position for normal running.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Constant issue for me in south Florida, im thinking its evaporation since its not as much of an issue now that were getting cold. i hard mounted a flow through fuel pump in the flex line between frame and mechanical fuel pump. its like 1.5 psi and since its hard mounted its really loud so i can hear when the floats close. just put a switch on dash for now. i had the parts laying around but when i looked it was around 40 for everything.
Seth

I get this all the time.  Stock 56 carb and  a couple of Edelbrocks. 


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

It seems like the fuel might be draining out of the carb when the car (1955 Thunderbird 292 stock carb and fuel pump)  is not started for a few days.   I don't want to install an electric fuel pump.   I ordered a check valve that mounts to the fuel pump.   Has anyone used the check valve?   Any other possible fixes besides the valve and electric pump?