55 fuel shortage

F

Ford coupe

Senior Member
My 55 will run fine until you drive about a half mile and then seems to die because of gas shortage I feel..Let sit for a couple minutes and starts right up and goes a ways before doing the same thing..New pump installed but no difference..Could it be the electric pump in line that I only use for start up after sitting a couple weeks..It is from Macs and was told the fuel pump would suck through it after starting...Your thoughts guys..Harry
 
Check any hoses in the system. If they're old replace 'em. They can look OK on the outside but come apart on the inside and produce the exact symptom you describe. Also check the tank for any debris that may be blocking the outlet.
 
Also could be your mechanical pump. Try leaving your electric pump on and see if you get any better results.
 
It also sounds like symptoms of a fuel filter or screen that is almost completely plugged.

Sal
 
when an engine dies and then restarts in a few minutes it could be coil or condenser breaking down, next time it dies see if you have spark to the plugs
 
I had a similar problem, and finally pulled the fuel tank. Someone had thrown a handful of raffle tickets in the tank. They'd get sucked up against the sock style filter and starve the motor. When the pump quit, they'd fall off, and you got to do it all over again. I'd turn on the electric pump, and if that doesn't do it, check from it back.
 
Hopefully you installed a filter between the tank and the electric pump which needs to be as mounted as close to the tank as possible.
 
Be sure to look under the car where the fuel line from the tank goes over the frame at the LR wheel. Originally it was a solid steel line from the tank almost to the fuel pump but a lot of the lines got rubbed through in that area due to body mounts settling, and were repaired by splicing in a section of hose.
 
Ford coupe said:
My 55 will run fine until you drive about a half mile and then seems to die because of gas shortage I feel..Let sit for a couple minutes and starts right up and goes a ways before doing the same thing..New pump installed but no difference..Could it be the electric pump in line that I only use for start up after sitting a couple weeks..It is from Macs and was told the fuel pump would suck through it after starting...Your thoughts guys..Harry
Click to expand...

OK guys Iput along hose from filter between mechanical pump and carb and ran to a large bottle and lo and behold both the mechanical and the electric pump pump great.Sure it is a fuel problem so now I bet you guys are going to tell me it is probably carb problem ..Right? Ireally do not think it is ignition but> Thanks..
 
I still vote for a collapsed hose and/or trash in the tank/line. You bypassed the tank & line using the bottle and confirmed the fuel pump works. Your tank vent may be plugged as HH said. Next time it dies go back and remove the gas cap. If you hear a whoosh sound and possibly a pop/thud, that indicates the vent line is plugged or pinched shut and the fuel pump is pulling a vacuum on the tank. When the vacuum is released the tank may make a pop/thud noise as it returns to its original shape. If the tank has been lined (Gas Tank Renu, etc.) they may have plugged the vent outlet with the stuff. Had that happen on my '53.
 
This damage has become common from ethanol it can plug fuel lines and build up in gas tanks if the car has sat for an extended period,I have rebuilt and resold Carbs to fund my project this is an Edelbrock/AFB internal shot I had one that had sat for about two years the crud had turned into what looked like snow. I had the gas tank in my '54 boiled out at a radiator shop the crud build up was so bad in the lines they had to be replaced. Replace the flex lines with hose rated for fuel injection regular hose will harden in my case the hardened hose after a year sprayed gas and started a fire and fried some wiring.
 

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Good info guys will check it all out..When I put the long hose on I put it where the line is cut between original pump and carb to install a filter.so in that way I could check the electric pump I use for start only and also the mechanical pump which is newly rebuilt..Both worked fine and they were sucking or pushing gas through the line fro m the tank.I am leary of the flex line though as it is quite old Also the air line in tank maybe...Summer is hear and this ol girl gotta go lol.
 
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