Bird55 - I installed a brand new AC in-line fuel filter in between the fuel pump and the carb.  Cleaned both carb bowls, needle/seats, floats and metering blocks.  Thinking / hoping my problems were over.  A week later, the float started sticking again.  We pulled the carb bowls again, and there was junk in them once again.  Our thinking is that the junk is fine enough to make it through the filter, and then collects with the other stuff in the fuel bowls and basically forms larger chunks.  There is no way that the pieces , as large as they are, can make it through the filter.

I'm not planning on doing this one piece at a time.  I will replace tank to  but no including the fuel pump.  When that's done I will replace the carb as well.

Bill Poland

312 V8 - in a 1957 T-Bird

Baltimore, Maryland

I went thru this a couple of years ago on my 55. Like you I started at the carb and went backwards, so to speak.

If a car has been sitting for any good length of time it an be rough on them.

After all was said and done I replaced everything. Tank up to the carb. It was quite a chase.

It seems the more i messed with stuff the more potential problems were found. All my original line had fine corrosion on the inside. If you work around with them it get in the fuel. Period. If you let the car sit for even a month things start to happen with todays fuel. Also helps to keep a full tank. New gas tanks are worth it, but still don't count on it being the cure.

Oh, and fyi the line that runs from the tank to the first fitting SHOULD goe between the frame AND the body. I could never get the stock replacement to go back in. So I cheated and used one of those softer hand bent lines in that section. Just in case you care about it looking original. Or you could lift the body off of the frame. NOT!

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

The filter should capture all but the extremely small particles and anything that does get by should not cause a problem, assuming the filter is functioning properly. If you're still getting stuff into the carburetor, you may need to clean or replace the fuel lines. Install a temporary rubber hose in the place of the steel line as a test.

Perhaps what you see is broken down carburetor casting rather than junk from the tank or fuel lines.



The easiest way to get the fuel out and filter it is to siphon it with a filter in line. Nothing small enough to get by the filter will hurt the other vehicles.


Lawrenceville, GA

The gas in the T-Bird is fresh (2 weeks old).  I would be hesitant to use it in my other cars and I don't want to introduce junk from the T-Bird tank into their fuel injection sysems.  That's why I was looking for sugestions on a good way to filter the gas after I get it out of the tank.  I am still finding stuff getting into the T-Bird carb, even after installing an AC inline filter. 

Bill Poland

312 V8 - in a 1957 T-Bird

Baltimore, Maryland

Good news Bill. I hope they send you the replacement Holley.

Also, I wouldn't use that gas in the TBird again. Use it up in your daily driver or in your lawnmower or something...but right now you want to minimize the variables in getting to a strong running engine. Use new gas.

Glad you called these guys Bill, they're not gonna cover over anything. My replacement carb was here in just a couple days, except they sent mine before I sent the bad one back, the squeaking wheel gets the grease, Gary

       

Gary, 55 Vicky, St. Germain, Wisconsin

 

I would power wash it,turn upside down and drain, and wrap it in several layers of decent quality clear plastic and tape it sealed in the plastic.Pack in a good strong cardboard box and completely tape with  packing tape(cover the whole thing in tape).Good thing Gary(55Vickey) mentioned getting a replacement carb for himself.May have just saved you some dinero!

  

A couple people recommended that I give Holey a call and see if there is anything they would do.  Well I finally got a chance to call them today.  I explained the situation to one of their Tech Service guys.  He asked for the List # and the date code.  He said that back in 2006, Holley had a problem with castings from a new vendor.  Can you believe it, the list # and Date code fall within the problem range.  He told me to pull the carb, and send it to him.  He will check it over, and if, as he suspects, it's related to the casting issue, he will send me a new carb.   
Does anybody have a good way to send a gas soaked carburetor through the mail without setting off every HAZMAT sensor between Baltimore and Bowling Green KY ?


Bill Poland

312 V8 - in a 1957 T-Bird

Baltimore, Maryland

A new 465 cfm holley should do fine after new tank is installed. I talked to holley tech the other day and they assured me their carbs are made here in the states. I certainly hope that's true!! Give them a call and ask a few questions including where their products are made. I've had good luck with their carbs.

-Gary Burnette-

Bill! If yours is like Gary's contact Holley direct.Maybe you will get another carb gratis.Worth a phone call.