Fuel flow question

[woodrow]

The car is a 1931 A Town Sedan with a Tillotson Carb. Anyway, when I turn on the fuel valve under the gas tank the gas won't flow into the sediment bowl? I did install a new screen and gasket in the bowl. I have blown out the all lines so I know they are clean and clear. When I loosen the nut under the sediment bowl the gas will flow into the bowl but not out into the line to the carb. When I tighten the nut the flow stops. The gas tank is about 1/3 full. I did this with the gas tank lid off. Please excuse the dumb question, but does anyone have a simple suggestion for me? There is probably more to the question but I hope this is a good start. Thanks for your help.

[Tom F OHIO]

Did you try starting the car with the bowl looking empty??. We changed ours one time and thought the same as you and started the car and it flowed perfectly.

[woodrow]

Just went out and tried that----no joy.

[woodrow]

Just went out, turned on fuel valve, loosened the nut under the sediment bowl---if filled up but didn't go on into the line ( I have an inline filter so I can see if it goes in). I tapped the carb to make sure the float was free. The car cranks good, gets fire but no gas in the carb?? It didn't start? I appreciate the help---we'll get this worked out. Any more suggestions?

[Jon]

Remove the filter

[George]

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I replaced the fuel tubing from the sediment bowl to the carburetor with a new part with new ferrules and shoved the tubing in too far when I tightened the nuts up. When I opened the fuel valve on the fuel would not pass the filter bowl, so I had to cut a little bit of the tubing off to allow the fuel to pass. I was OK on the carb. end, clearance was good.

Simple fix but was aggravating till I figured it out.

Good luck on yours.

[Hicktick]

What George said , take the line loose at the carb , and then try it .

You will know where the problem is , that way .

[sidhartha]

I had similar problems with mine. I tried to use an inline filter and found that very few filters will work on a gravity fed system. If your sediment bowl has a screen in it then that should be sufficient. You can put a small magnet in the bottom of the bowl as well to catch the particles of rust as an added measure. If you feel you must use an inline filter, you might be able to use one from an older motorcycle as they're gravity fed too.

[woodrow]

Thanks for all the help. I removed the filter and the fuel now flows freely to the carb. Thanks again for your good answers. Never would have thought of that myself. Actually, I always thought the inline fuel filters were ugly anyway.

[steve s]

If you read the seasonal vapor lock threads, which will resume in a few months, you will be amused to hear that the sort of air lock you just observed is impossible.

[steve s]

Originally Posted by Timothy Kelly

Steve:

Is it possible to encounter the seasonal vapor lock you mention if the fuel line is disconnected at the carburetor, but every other connection is in place and tight?

Timothy

I've watched a clear filter inserted midway in the fuel line fill up with vapor and shut down the engine. I didn't try what you suggest, but my guess is that it wouldn't have helped since the blockage was upstream in that case.

[steve s]

Originally Posted by Timothy Kelly

What was causing the blockage upstream?

The blockage was a bubble of gasoline vapor in the fuel filter, similar to the air bubble that seemed to cause Sidhartha's problem, if I understand it correctly. Since these bubbles were upstream from the carb, disconnecting the fuel line at the carb should not relieve the problem. This is like when an air bubble under an open sink stopper blocks it from draining until the stopper is jiggled and the bubble burps out.

HOWEVER, these sorts of blockages are what could be called metastable: They rely on surface tension, and quite possibly might be relieved by any mechanical disturbance, like tapping on the line, or, possibly, whatever shaking or vibrations accompany disconnecting the carb.

Steve

[Mitch//pa]

this style filter in the glass bowl works well in a gravity flow system and does not look out of place. i run it in all my cars even though i dont have any particle problems in the fuel system. i also use the pencil filter in the shut off at the tank.

[sidhartha]

[QUOTE=Mitch//pa;810851]this style filter in the glass bowl works well in a gravity flow system and does not look out of place. i run it in all my cars even though i dont have any particle problems in the fuel system. i also use the pencil filter in the shut off at the tank.

I agree. The pencil filter in the tank is a must. I fought with my fuel system for months before I put a stand pipe in the tank. I now run with a glass bowl and screen filter with a small magnet in the bottom and have no problems. Since mine is a late 31 with the indented firewall I'm forever opening and closing the hood to turn on and shut off the fuel. My next step is to install an electronic shut off.

[blgitn]

[QUOTE=sidhartha;810996]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

this style filter in the glass bowl works well in a gravity flow system and does not look out of place. i run it in all my cars even though i dont have any particle problems in the fuel system. i also use the pencil filter in the shut off at the tank.

I agree. The pencil filter in the tank is a must. I fought with my fuel system for months before I put a stand pipe in the tank. I now run with a glass bowl and screen filter with a small magnet in the bottom and have no problems. Since mine is a late 31 with the indented firewall I'm forever opening and closing the hood to turn on and shut off the fuel. My next step is to install an electronic shut off.

Can you share a picture of the glass bowl set up on your indented firewall? I'm looking for ideas (that work). I'd like to learn more about the pencil filter / stand pipe you're using too.

[sidhartha]

[QUOTE=blgitn;811237]

Originally Posted by sidhartha

Can you share a picture of the glass bowl set up on your indented firewall? I'm looking for ideas (that work). I'd like to learn more about the pencil filter / stand pipe you're using too.

Here is the picture I promised.

[IMG][/IMG]

[blgitn]

Thanks SIDHARTHA.

[sidhartha]

I don't have a picture and not near the car for a day or two. The stand pipe and the glass bowl fuel filter both were purchased from Snyder's. The filter is sold as a kit for late 31's running earlier model carburetor if I remember correctly. Ill try to get a picture of my set up tomorrow evening and post it here.

[sidhartha]

The part numbers are A-9155-L31 for the glass bowl setup and A-9193-T for the stand pipe/gas tank screen. Hope this helps.

[Tom F OHIO]

Hi Mitch, Nice looking motor, very clean. Where did you get your filter for the bowl. Did it fit right in or did you have to modify it???

Thanks,
Tom...