Clogged fuel line???


http://209.208.111.198/Topic58891.aspx 		Print Topic | Close Window

By 57FordPU - 14 Years Ago
I have a cousin in Raleigh, NC that is having difficulty with his fuel line in a 55 Ford convertible.  He disconnected the line on the tank side of the filter and fuel pump and was successful in drawing gas from a container to the carb and the car ran good.  Then he reconnected the line and no gas to the carb.  Again disconnecting the fuel line before the filter and applying air to the line, he can hear bubbles in the gas tank.  However, no air (or gas) flows forward when air is applied form the tank end.  He wants to know if there is a reason for the fuel line to be open in only one direction.  Any suggestions?
By Daniel Jessup - 14 Years Ago
charlie, if there are enough "floaties" in the gas tank (pieces of trash, small rust particles, but they don't float, they settle to the bottom where the pickup tube is, etc), you almost have the milkshake straw affect when the fuel pump is sucking gasoline with junk from the gas tank. All of the trash goes directly the suction, or outlet. It's almost like getting a Strawberry Limeade at the Sonic Drive-in, and then sucking up the junk at the bottom. You can blow through the straw and have plenty of passage, but when you reverse direction, all of the junk gets back in the pickup tube...



the last time this happened to me, I had to remove the gas tank, take it to a radiator shop, have it cooked, sealed, and a new pick up tube welded in. Worked like a charm.
By MoonShadow - 14 Years Ago
Floaties?Cool That is a common problem with older tanks. I bought one of the tanks off EBAY and am still glad I did. Not super expensive and NEW!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1956-FORD-MERCURY-PASSENGER-CAR-NEW-GAS-TANK-/350442051993?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1956%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item5197f95999

Another problem I've seen is a rubber hose that has an internal crack or split. They will sometimes act like a flap or valve and plug the line under flow only. As long as he is having to work on it I would recommend replacing all of the rubber hoses. Good hunting! Chuck

By 57FordPU - 14 Years Ago
Thanks guys, I feel you have a handle on it and I will relay the message and give the link to ebay for the new tank.
By BIGREDTODD - 14 Years Ago
57FordPU (5/10/2011)
Thanks guys, I feel you have a handle on it and I will relay the message and give the link to ebay for the new tank.

Almost word for word, went through this with the Bird Charlie...before buying the new tank I also had my original tank boiled out, and it didn't cure it. Replace all the flex lines, and the tank, just to be safe. The flex lines can cause an intermittent failure that, in my book, is more frustrating than anything.

There's a guy on ebay (in Maryland??) who had a tank with new straps and a fuel level sender for a very competitive price...

By oldcarmark - 14 Years Ago
The same guy who has the gas tanks on Ebay also has them with straps or with straps,tank and new sender unit.Seems to have good prices.Also sells the sending units alone.
By 57FordPU - 14 Years Ago
Thanks guys. I will pass the info along.