I installed one of the filters you see on the Tbirds in 55-57.The Carter ones with the clear bowl and filter on the bottom.Uses a bracket off the head to support the line.I bent up(carefully using a round pipe to bend the line around to curve it) premade brake line with fittings on it.In stock location in goes from pump in front of the motor up to the filter and screws in.I made a second line from filter to carb and used the regular style male/female fitting on the carb and replaced the line that comes with the carb.If you find a pic of these motors in a TBird you wil see the setup.I got a brand new NOS filter on Ebay for about $20.00.Did good because they usually sell for more.The factory fuel line goes from pump to carb in front of the motor so I dont think that is part of your trouble.I am not a fan of rubber line and clamps.Too many possible leaks and manifolds right there if they do spring a leak. Theres not much you can change from the original setup because of where everything (pump etc) is located. It is a good idea to do one thing at a time as you mentioned.

  

I used an AC GF62 filter housing instead of the T-bird style - but plumbed mine as Mark describes. Its all hard line, fuel pump to filter to carb  - short rubber jumper to the tank line. Fuel pump is as spec'd for a 428 Police engine - filter element is the same as used on a Ford 390 cid pickup engine.

I added the fuel pressure gauge to the filter housing to show pressure on the carb side of the element. With the engine dead - it still shows 5 psi. Fan blast is "hot"air but cooler than what it takes to have vapor lock.

Its possible to do a pretty neat, factory looking installation of these "modifications" -so your car doesn't look too different from stock with the hood open. Mustangs used these fuel filters in the mid-sixties - painted gold with an "Autolite" sticker on them....

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Nice bit 'O' work there Greeny !



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

Update.  You guys were right, it does appear to be a fuel feed issue not vapor lock.  I bought am IR thermometer yesterday and checked the temps.  All were good.  The filter was recieving gas and stated full for awhile even after it was up to temp.  I let the car sit at idle with the hood up.  The temps did not change but the filter was slowly getting less and less gas from the electric pump.

Now I will have to figure if it is the pump fading or a clog in the line.  It has the metal line screwwed into the bottom front og the tank.  Do these tanks have a tube inside that fitting, or is it just the fitting in the wall of the tank?  Is there a pickup sock inside?

I am also trying to decide if I should go back to the stock pump setup.  I prefer factory for most things.  Anyone have an opinion on supplier for the pump?  I have the dual action with the vacuum section for the wipers.

One of the problems with the original carb(teapot) was that fuel in the bowl would "disappear" when the car sat for even 24 hours.Due to the fact that the carb had open vents.The electric pump may have been added just for that reason.Fill the carb prior to starting it otherwise you have to crank for a minute or so.The new carb you have does not have that problem.Mine can sit for several days and will start immediately.What pump is on it now-dual action original type?There is a "pickup" tube inside the tank.Its not just the line screwed to the tank fitting.Is the original fuel pump still hooked up or is it just the electric pump operating?Reading your post it sounds like you are running the electric pump only.As mentioned they push fuel fine but dont draw well at all.You would get better results moving it near the tank if you decide to keep it.As far as clogs etc in the line-possible.If you can try draining the fuel tank(careful) into a clean container and see what comes out of the tank.Old cars are fun aren't they?

  

Are you saying the fuel feed line is threaded into the fitting on the front bottom of the tank? If so this would be the fuel drain as the pickup tube is towards the top of the tank and more in the center. If hooked into the drain all debris water etc would be drawn into the pump as there is no filter and this is the lowest part of tank where water would accumulate. Mike

1956 Fairlane Victoria (ORREO)

 

Overlooking Beautiful Rimrock AZ

Fuel line goes in the center of the front face about 1/2 inch above the bottom of the tank.  There is a drain plug on the passenger side front corner right at the bottom of the tank.  Do you think someone has tapped the tank for this pickup?  I thought it would be unnecessary to have a pickup tube when the bung was at the low part of the tank.

Any one know a source for a new 55 Mercury gas tank.  I have seen sources for a 55 Ford, since it did not list Mercury also, I assumed they were different.  If not, there is a shop that does lining within walking distance of my house.  They want about $300 to do an inside out coating called "Gas Tank Renu".  Looks good on the website and comes with a lifetime warranty, has anyone had it done?

I am thinking about stripping it all out and starting with new tank, lines and pump.  I am sick of chasing gremlims.

It is interesting working on a year and type I have never worked on before.  My previous classic experience is with Packard. 

 Chimest64

for what it worth, the gas tank in my '56 had that renu done, it started coming off and I checked on the lifetime warranty..it was good only at the place that did the work and they were out of buiness so I decided to go with a new tank and If I remember right was like $200 including shipping but can't remember now where I got it..I you need I can look it up for you but I found several place in Hemmings that had tanks at a reasonable price.

Location:Washington,Ia

The fuel line on mine is at the centre front on the low part of tank.The drain plug is in the front corner.Is yours different?As for a filter I was under the impression there is a sock inside the tank?

  

I'm a little confused by some of the answers. If you have to floor it to get it to start, then it is flooded, not out of gas. This is common with the tea pots. The carb will only want 4-6 lbs of inlet pressure or it may not seal. Also if it's been rebuilt and has a Viton seat it will not seat, / or will stick shut. In that case it will act like it ran out of fuel. I realize that you've replaced the carb, and that means now you're into the distributor issue. You'll need a later one with mechanical, and vacuum advance as you've been instructed.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart)