Every time I go to start ol' blu after sitting for a couple of days, float bowl is always empty and the cranking is relentless until intake manifold finally gets some mist. Needless wear on starter and cylinder walls.

Why not install an electric auxiliary pump that is connected from tank to line to carb filter, activated by a push button in the cab. Push it for a couple of seconds and boom, float bowl full? Starts right up? Kinda cool? Diesels need glow plugs to warm.

Probably have to install a check ball so mechanical pump doesn't pump back through the electrical pump back to the tank thus lowering fuel pressure?

There exists is a manual rubber bladder that you squeeze to prime the pump on boat motors, that does have a check ball in it. I thought about using one of those, but how uncool would that be? Ha ha!

 

You shouldn't have to do this at all. Something is not right with your carb. It should be able to sit for at least a few days and fire right up. The gas in the bowl(s) should stay there until it all evaporates through the vent tubes. Which takes quite awhile.

 

Right, sounds like something is wrong. Can't be fuel pump diaphram, has a
couple month old fuel pump. I thought that might have been it. No fuel leaks
by the carb or smell of gas underneath. What about one week's time? Maybe a check valve in the fuel line? sounds stupid but better than taking off air cleaner each time and pouring gas into the carb.

 

I've been running an electric pump for 40 years on my truck with a switch under the dash. The electric is before the manual pump and is used to get fuel to the carburetor when I run out of gas in one tank. Until you get the carb fixed it'll get you going.

 

Same here. Mine was a sometimes truck and the electric pump helped very much. I also took a glass fuel filter and took out the filter element and placed it inline before the carb. It does a couple of things. If it full I know the pump is fine and if the fuel turns colors, I know to drain the tank. Plus it looks cool

 

This crap they call fuel is barely that. Yes, it does evaporate quickly. If I let the hot rod sit for a few weeks, it really takes a lot to get fuel to the front and started. Though it does give it time to prime the oil system also. It is tough on a weak battery.

New cars with fuel injection are not prone to the failures of the new fuel mixtures.

For a test, take a spray can lid and put some gas in it and let it sit outside. See how long it takes for it to evaporate. That will let you know if you have other issues(likely not). I'd bet in a couple days it is nearly gone. I have to put gas in my 4 wheeler more then I ride it. Seems every time I go to use it, it's nearly empty even though I put plenty of gas in it a few weeks before.

 

Your're right! I have a see thru glass filter element in fuel line before entering carb. Looks cool with the erratic 4-6 psi mechanical fuel pump provided sloshing action. Its a 2bbl autolite I think (68 F250 390 and c6). There is an freaking hole in the top of the float bowl that gets covered with a rubber disk on a lever arm when you push on the accel. Its stock factory linkage. maybe have to get that to seal better, but a new rubber flap did not come in the last rebuild kit (like 3 years ago) and it is very delicate, almost going to fall off, its original, I had to glue it with shoe goo so it stays on the arm. But still, it covers the hole in the top of the carb pretty well, at least.

Love the idea of the push button electric fuel pump. A sure-fire solution. (no pun intended) It makes me a little nervous switching tanks in stop and go traffic have been stuck before, but freeway, no problem. (My camper special has three tanks to choose from)

But before that I can't help myself to try to get a little canister (maybe the clear one), with a 1/4" ball bearing and an o-ring seat all mounted in the vertical position up from the fuel pump. What could go wrong? (knock on wood)

PCV valves have check *****, maybe adapt one of those in the fuel line. I'll be able to keep the float bowl wet for at least a week or two no?

 

PCV valves will not seal in gasoline.

 

You're right. Blow by gases in pcv valves fine, but not raw gasoline. Maybe o-ring and ball bearing in some housing if you want to go through all that experimental crap, just shooting out the idea. Probably that electric fuel pump with the push button under the dash is easiest. Or, take some starter fluid and shoot it into a plastic vacuum line tube (from your vacuum gauge) that leads from the cab through the firewall to a port in the manifold. Or, burn yourself up inside the cab of your truck as the engine starts right up. Just ideas, joking of course.