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1955 Thunderbird Fuel problem

Posted By RossL 2 Weeks Ago
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RossL
Posted 3 days ago
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Daniel 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-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.


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.




RossL
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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)
FORD DEARBORN
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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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RossL
Posted 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.
RossL
Posted 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.
Lou
Posted 4 days ago
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Is the gas cap vented?  Try running the car with out the gas cap.
Lou
Posted 4 days ago
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Is the gas cap vented?  Try running the car without the gas cap.
Stiggy
Posted 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. 
Deyomatic
Posted 5 days ago
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What has been changed since last August?  
Can you try a different fuel pump?  
Saltshaker
Posted 5 days ago
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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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