Still No Fuel on Start-Up

don's 37

don's 37

Senior Member
Hello. Sad to say I'm still having an issue with no fuel delivery at start-up. Here's a quick summary. 1937 Ford sedan with the 85 HP engine. I replaced the carb with a new Uncle Max Stromberg 97 that I purchsed last fall. Car seems to run just fine with the new carb. I last drove it this past Monday and went to restart today and no start. I gave it one pump and it just turned over. I tried again but still nothing. I removed the air cleaner and moved the accel. rod and all I saw were tiny dripples coming down. No large squirts. For the heck of it I poured some gas into the carb and car started right up. So I'm guessing no fuel in the bowl and for that manner maybe no gas in the line either? I had the same problem with my original carb too. Is this normal having to do this with a car sitting almost all week? When I shut off the car on Monday the operating temp was around 190 - 195. It was a humid 90 deg. day.
 
ethanol fuel evaporates at low temps,things heat up as soon as you shutoff a warmed up engine.some guys use insulated base plates between the carb and manifold, another fix is to install an electric fuel pump as a helper to get fuel flowing at startup.so it is not just you having that problem.
 
On warm days I have to pump it 4 times, then stand on it when pressing the starter. Seems I only have to apply choke the first time I start her up in the morning.
Like they say I think the fuel in the bowl is evaporating. 53 f100 mechanical pump and rebuilt holly. In winter I choke it tap 4 times and she fires right off

Bill
 
All fuel lines are clear of any dirt, etc. Everything is new. I do have a 1/8 phenalic spacer plate installed. I wanted to use a 1/4 inch but I cannot get the carb studs out.
 
My 41 does the same thing. I just hit the starter and let the engine turn over a couple times before I turn the ignition on. Gets the carb primed. Then I turn the ignition switch "ON", hit the starter again and it fires right off. My car does not get driven very often at all so I do this pretty much every time.
 
Mine does this alot. I have to get another person to help with what i do. i get one of us to put our hand on top of the carb to seal it (i recommend to put a glove on just in case it backfires), then have the other to turn over the engine. Then once it starts to fire, take your hand off the carb, then the car should start right up! i also have the original carb. hope this helps!
 
As I stated a few months ago there would be a of these posts as the outside temperature got over 90 with this new gas. The best 3 things for part 1 of fixing these problems are. 1--- 1/2" vented insulated spacer from gadgiteer@aol.com or call Bob at 1-610-933-6637 The spacer come with 2 gaskets and 3 longer studs, you need to tell him the type of carb. 2---put small thin metal 1"X 1 1/2" shims over the heat riser holes with .325 holes to reduce the heat under the carb. 3--- increase the fuel pressure to 3 1/4 - 3 1/2 lbs. When the fuel gets hot the pressure drops and vapor lock forms even as it warms up it drops. You need to get a laser pointed thermometer, when the temperature gets in the 125 to 130 degree range your just about in trouble. In this range when shut down it raises more and that's what you are seeing. Spray your studs with rust buster and let soak. Put double nuts on the studs and tighten them together. To remove the stud put the wrench on the bottom nut, to tighten the top nut. Loosen and tighten slightly in both directions to shake it loose, put the nuts down near the bottom of the threads so you don't break it off. When replaceing the new studs don't run them down tight down onto the unthreaded part of the stud or it could break the intake manifold. After you get this part done and still have problems then we can get into phase 2. G.M.
 
Fit electric fuel pump in the line. I have one sitting in the chassis rail mid way between the tank and the fuel pump. I have a toggle switch under the dash to be able to turn the pump on and off as needed. First start up after sitting for a week or two just fire up the electric fuel pump start the engine then turn it off when its running. Works every time.
 
APDAVE has a good point. Mant times the flex line that connects the fuel pump to the metal line going to the tank will develop an air leak or will collapse when the fuel pump applies vacuum. If you haven't looked there, it would be worth your while to do so.
 
One thing about those gas tanks the gas line should be pushed in tank far enought.
Nice and tight no leaks.Try full tank of gas.
 
There is also a check valve in the fuel pump which at the best of times is notorious for letting fuel run back down the line anthen fuel pump is not even primed ..You could also try an in line check valve made by Skip s
 
I filled the gas tank to full before I started the car. The flex hose between the hard line and the fuel pump is in great shape. I am interested in this check valve you are talking about. How do I contact this Skip fellow?
 
Don, most all of us have the same problem. I have the flex hose with the check valve but still have to prime with the electric if the car sits for a while. I also have new carbs. Once It starts it is fine until it sits for a few days. I'm sure it's the gas evaporating. Just put an electric pump in the line for priming.
Don with a car just like yours!
 
Don Skip don't makea check valve for the fuel line. He made a few years ago but didn't want to be involved in rubber fuel lines under the car. Bob Shewman makes Teflon lined flex hoses that will last as long as you own the car. He makes 2 styles, 1 is like the stock hose and the other has a check valve built into the hex fitting at the pump. Contact Bob at gadgiteer@aol.com These hoses completely eliminate the flex hose problems now and in the future. G.M.
 
Dude you know wot I did , I bent the steel line upwards thats connected to the Carb Bowl , that why thier the fuel stays in the bowl and not back down the line, and for good measure I rev up the engine for 2 secs before shuting it of to ganuntee thiers fuel in the bowl before next start up. Cheers mate BIG MIKE
 
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