I had a very similer experience when I first started driving my 1951 GMC.
It would stall out seemingly at random and then most of the time it would
start up and carry on about 10 minutes later. I checked ths same things
ie. fuel filter, carb etc and I was getting really frustrated until I
decided to check the gas tank. My tank has a valve which allows for easy
draining and when I started to drain the gas into a glass jar a bunch of
reddish flakes started to cover the bottom of the jar. These rust
flakes(?) were settling at the bottom of the tank and plugging the valve
thereby starving the engine.
I pulled the tank out and thoroughly cleaned it and then coated the inside
with one of those preparations used by the restoration guys. Not one
similer episode since. I'm not an expert in these things but this is one
place you might want to look.
Regards,
Gordon Wilhelm
1951 GMC 1/2ton
----- Original Message -----
From: "tim" <lloydt@colorado.edu>
To: "Ole Truckers" <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2002 3:01 PM
Subject: [oletrucks] engine dying randomly
> 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
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
|