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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

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Old May 29, 2023 | 04:36 PM
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Stranded


Is anyone else having fuel problems today? Took the 53 for a drive to go get gas. Got about half way and it died. Sounded like it ran out of gas. Called for backup and she brought me 1 gallon. It started, ran about 100' and quit. Had her go get a bigger can of gas, made it to a cemetery. At least this time I was off the road and had some shade. Sounded like electric fuel pump was running, but not building any pressure. I cracked the line open after the pump and tapped the carb ( in case I had a float sticking). It fired up and I headed home. I am guessing vapor lock? I use real gas, not ethanol. Anything else I need to do to avoid getting stranded again?
 
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Old May 29, 2023 | 04:41 PM
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I had a problem like that once, drove me crazy..... turned out to be a clogged fuel filter.
 
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Old May 29, 2023 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by moejr
I had a problem like that once, drove me crazy..... turned out to be a clogged fuel filter.
I plan to change the fuel filter. This one is the metal one so I cannot see gas in it. I like the clear ones for the ability to see if there is gas, but I have had one come apart. I rather not have a gas leak and fire.
 
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Old May 29, 2023 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian1950F4
I plan to change the fuel filter. This one is the metal one so I cannot see gas in it. I like the clear ones for the ability to see if there is gas, but I have had one come apart. I rather not have a gas leak and fire.
I use metal filters too. Every so often I take it out and blow air in the reverse direction through it onto a paper towel. If there’s no debris I put it back, if there is debris it’s garbage. Knock on wood, since the new gas tank, no debris.
 
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Old May 29, 2023 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob Ingram
I use metal filters too. Every so often I take it out and blow air in the reverse direction through it onto a paper towel. If there’s no debris I put it back, if there is debris it’s garbage. Knock on wood, since the new gas tank, no debris.
I like that idea. I will try it.
 
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Old May 29, 2023 | 06:19 PM
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I agree with metal filters, but I had one that the media inside degraded and broke into pieces. I could only tell when I removed it and shook it. It was hard-coupled to the pump, and I think the pump's vibrations ruined it. So I mounted it in a section of rubber line after that.
 
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Old May 29, 2023 | 08:53 PM
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How hot was the ambient temperature?

Can you get vapor lock with an electric fuel pump?

is there any place where your fuel line is close to the manifolds or the block? The manifolds are hotter.

I used to get vapor lock. I slid a rubber fuel hose over the fuel line where it was close to the crossover pipe.
 
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Old May 29, 2023 | 09:24 PM
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This happen to me, by chance did you install a new fuel cap? I think the fuel cap is supposed to be vented? When I bought my 1955 I drove it home 12 to 13 hour trip. My cap was really corroded and fit very loose. The rubber seal was dry and hard rubber. I bought a new cap, my truck would only do 45 MPH and would stall and stammer when I tried to increase my speed. AJ
 
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Old May 29, 2023 | 09:32 PM
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our '65 did that to me last week,
I thought it ran out of gas, nope, took 1.5 gallons to fill the tank
( gauge don't work )

my son said it vapor locked, so he ordered an electric fuel pump and relay kit for it.
the mechanical pump is brand, spanking, new....

so much for that being good.
 
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Old May 30, 2023 | 06:01 AM
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Gee I just don’t think if your cap is vented and you have an electric fuel pump question (would it vapor lock)? I installed a Stewart Warner fuel pressure gauge on my 1955 F-100 it shows at idle about 3 lbs. maybe a little more. Turned out I had a crack on my Holley inlet fitting. I think that caused a lot of my problems. Part is on order, out of stock right now. Must be an issue with the Holley.AJ
 
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Old May 30, 2023 | 09:08 AM
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@ajsunnyB , FYI, 3 psi is spot on for many of our older lower pressure stock carburator setups.
 
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Old May 30, 2023 | 11:13 AM
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I don't have a pressure guage on this one. But I did get it to restart after I opened the line after the electric fuel pump. I could hear the pump running, but it didn't quiet down. So I am assuming a blockage or air bubble somewhere? I have not gone to town to get a new fuel filter yet.
 
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Old May 30, 2023 | 12:31 PM
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What brand/model of fuel pump do you have?
I had a Facet electric pump on a different truck and it would lay down and die whenever it got hot outside. A brief cooldown and it would re-start, then repeat.
 
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Old May 30, 2023 | 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian1950F4
I don't have a pressure guage on this one. But I did get it to restart after I opened the line after the electric fuel pump. I could hear the pump running, but it didn't quiet down. So I am assuming a blockage or air bubble somewhere? I have not gone to town to get a new fuel filter yet.
Originally Posted by bmoran4
@ajsunnyB , FYI, 3 psi is spot on for many of our older lower pressure stock carburator setups.
I spoke with a shop in Fort Worth this am he felt my gauge was indication was a pin hole leak. My engine filter pump should be about 4.5 to 5.5 at throttle up in cruse he thought I have the filter can engine fuel pump. It is clean and looks new. I ordered a new pump also, just in case. AJ
 
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Old May 30, 2023 | 08:34 PM
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Electric pumps need to be as close to the tank as can be as they dont pull fuel good.
They should also be below the fuel level to the inlet to the pump is always wet.
Again because they dont pull fuel well..

Also note any liquid under pressure will boil at a higher temperature.Like fuel after the fuel pump.
This is 1 reason fuel pumps are now in tanks, the whole fuel line has pressure and will boil at a higher temperature.

Any liquid under a vacuum or being pulled will boil at a lower temperature.
With the fuel pump at the motor fuel from there back to the tank can boil (vapor lock).
This is even worst with today's gas blends.

Also make sure your cap is vented.
Dave ----
 
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