Tim:
Suggest you check the following:
Fuel filter (either in-line between the fuel pump and carb, or also check to
make sure the carb doesn't have a filter on the inlet fuel line from the
fule pump)
Buy a pressure/vacuum gage from a local parts store (inexpensive). Should
have a rubber hose and 'one-size-fits-all' fitting you can slide over the
fuel line when disconnected from the carb. Start the engine (it will run
until the gas in the carb is consumed), and watch the pressure gage. If it
doesn't build pressure (or pressure drops-off quickly after the engine
stops) you may want to replace the fuel pump.
Check any rubber hoses betwwen the fuel tank and fuel pump. Old rubber
lines may deteriorate and collapse (suck closed oat the inside) yet still
give the outward appearance of being O.K. When in doubt replace!
Check all metal fuel lines to assure none are 'kinked' that would cause a
restriction in fuel flow.
Pull the fuel tank sending unit and check the screen/sock on the pickup
tube. My truck sat in storage 3 years before I bought it. I started
driving it (drained the tank and refilled with new gas), but the engine ran
poorly with about a 1/4 full showing on the fuel gage. When I pulled the
sending unit/pickup from the tank I found the screen was rusted (didn't look
bad, but couldn't blow or suck air through it). Cleaned screen with solvent
and a fine wire brush and the problem went away. Suspect that as long as I
had 1/4 tank or more there was enough movement of gas in tank (or the weight
of the gas in the tank 'forced' fuel through the screen) to keep me running.
Hope this helps, Good Luck!
Carl Ham
'56 Chevy TF Stepside
Pontiac, IL
>From: tim <lloydt@Colorado.EDU>
>Reply-To: tim <lloydt@Colorado.EDU>
>To: Ole Truckers <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
>Subject: [oletrucks] engine dying randomly
>Date: Tue, 15 Oct 2002 15:01:18 -0600 (MDT)
>
>Not 3 days after I get my '54 Chevy "Peanut" back on the road, she decides
>to stall out in traffic. This is a sporadic problem, and has only
>occurred on 2 out of the past 10-12 drives in the past week.
>
>What happened the first time was this: I leave my house, drive a few
>blocks to a stop sign, stop, hit the gas, and the engine dies. After a
>lot of coaxing and fiddling with the choke, I get it started again, and
>make it onto the highway. After about 3 minutes at 45-50 mph, it dies
>again. After many tries, I get it started again (blocking traffic is
>fun), and make it another 10 minutes or so, this time staying in 3rd gear,
>when it dies again. Once again, I get it started after a few tries, and
>make it in to work (another 3 minutes or so).
>
>I replaced the fuel filter, thinking that might be the problem, and it
>worked fine after that, driving all around town for a few days. Until
>yesterday morning, when I had the same problem -- it died when I hit the
>gas at the first stop sign heading out of my neighborhood. This time, I
>couldn't get it re-started successfully -- it kept dying whenever I'd put
>it in gear and give it gas. Later that afternoon, I got it started right
>up and drove it the few blocks back home.
>
>I'm fairly stumped as to what might be the problem. I think it might be a
>vacuum issue with the fuel pump, but I've also noticed a new (unrelated?)
>leak in the valve cover gasket. And there's always the possibility that
>it's the carburetor.
>
>Anyone have an idea as to where I should look first? Fuel pump? Carb?
>This is an original 235 with Rochester 1bbl carb and original-looking fuel
>pump.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Tim Lloyd, lloyd@lasp.colorado.edu
>"Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been
>sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful,
>rebellious, and immature." -- Tom Robbins
>"The eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the
>planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed
>by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace."
>-- John F. Kennedy
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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