Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start after rebuild)

[Terry M.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

Dr Mike will tell you I know nothing about mid-years, but the fuel systems are not so different than C3s:

If there is an air leak in the line or hose anyplace between the fuel pump and tank the pump would not be able to draw the fuel into the pump. It would suck air instead of fuel (just like windshield washers will not work if there is any hole in the line between the washer pump and the fluid tank).

I would pull the hose off the fuel pump and place it in a container. Try to stuff the tank fill opening with rags and introduce some air pressure with the shop supply into the tank and see if fuel will flow from the hose. It might flow from another leak as well, so be cautious.

[Dan B.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

I'm wondering if your fuel sock is clogged or has degraded in storage. In your initial post you say "and no fuel coming out of the tank". You can test this by seeing if you can blow some air backwards freely into the tank. If not, then you know the sender has gotta come out and the sock replaced to correct the blockage.

[Edward B.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

Answering one question from the first post. Here's a quick arrangement for emptying a fuel tank that I threw together for less than $20.00. The oversized terminals make it easy to supply power from a booster box if you are away from all other sources.
Post #16 reminds me of a situation that I once encountered where the engine would run perfectly at anything over one-half tank of fuel, below that it would die. Careful examination revealed a small crack in the pick-up tube. As long as fuel covered the crack, everything was fine. When the fuel level dropped and exposed the crack, air would seep in and interrupt the fuel flow. New pick-up tube and problem disappeared.

[Mark H.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

Answering one question from the first post. Here's a quick arrangement for emptying a fuel tank that I threw together for less than $20.00. The oversized terminals make it easy to supply power from a booster box if you are away from all other sources.

Nice setup. Explosion proof pump? Where did you source it?

[Richard M.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

Ok, on pumps with lower housings held on with screws, it can be rotated to fit various car model configurations.

Since your pump hasn't changed, it's not that.

But it could possibly have a cracked diaphragm or other issue. How old is it? How long has it been sitting dry? Did it get removed and reinstalled?

I think I would verify pump first with a 5 gal jug-o-juice and a hose on the inlet..... or the finger test. Something.

You need to diagnose this somehow, or just keep throwing parts at it until you fix it I guess. Could be several things.

Rich

[Mark H.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

The pump was removed when the engine was disassembled. It’s probably 15-20 years old and has less than 5000 miles on it. Stored dry for 10 years.

My plan is to gently blow compressed air into the tank and then pull vacuum on the line to see if fuel flows out of the tank. If I get fuel, I’ll try to start it and if it starts, declare victory. If not, keep diagnosing.

[Ralph E.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

Mark, I've been following this post.
Did you get your car started?
If so, what was the issue?

[Mark H.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

Mark, I've been following this post.
Did you get your car started?
If so, what was the issue?

Have not tried again yet. Unexpected death in the family. Hopefully this coming weekend.

[Mark H.]

Re: Today was supposed to be the day (car won't start post rebuild; no fuel exiting t

I finally had a free day to drain the tank and pull the sending unit. I detected no blockage in the pickup tube or sock. I had no trouble pulling denatured alcohol through the pipe using a mighty vac, without and with the sock, at less than 5" Hg vac. When I looked in the tank the pickup tube was near the bottom of the tank, and the sock had a definite bend, touching the bottom of the tank. I think I must have had insufficient gas in the tank to make it past the bend in the pickup tube. I can use the hand pump I used to empty the tank to prime the line tomorrow.

I also bench tested the float rheostat. Across the S and T connectors, I get 18 ohms empty and 107 ohms full. Across S connector and ground, I get 90 ohms empty and 2 ohms full. Does anyone know what that (small?) discrepancy will do to the gauge reading? I haven't tested the wiring to the gauge yet because I don't have long enough jumpers. Hopefully tomorrow before putting it back together.


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