The Ford Barn

John Gibson · 11-12-2018, 02:16 PM

My 36 Phaeton is giving me fits. It seems to run out of fuel and stop by the side of the road. Put one of Bubba’s condensers on it, rebuilt the Strom 97, tried three different fuel pumps. The old flexible fuel line would turn on the brass fittings so I tried putting a clear line on and made sure that I wasn’t getting vacuum leaks. She quit again today on the way to the Veterns Day parade. I’m getting what looks to be air bubbles in the line when I believe that it should not have bubbles in it. I’m running Marine gas in it. I’ve attached a photo showing the fuel and either air or a vacuum void. I’m sure wiser minds than mine will know the answer.

Don · 11-12-2018, 02:31 PM

My 36 pu had a rubber gas line all to tank,did same thing,go about 5 miles and quit,put metal line in and problem went away,,check for some rubber tubing in line!!!

19Fordy · 11-12-2018, 03:03 PM

Is that clear line clamped tight? By the way, that clear line is a fire hazard. Over time it becomes brittle, cracks and leaks. Don't want your car to go up in smoke.

John Gibson · 11-12-2018, 03:16 PM

Clear fuel line is a temporary shade tree mechanic diagnostic tool. I have two new Carpenter ones, both Chinese to install once I’ll got this gremlin gone. Steel line all the way to the tank. I’ll try a new Ferrell and......

Ggmac · 11-12-2018, 03:23 PM

Is the gas cap vented ? Just a wild guess . Could you try running with another cap or without one .

Lawrie · 11-12-2018, 05:10 PM

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John, our 33 played up way back, I have a glass bowl on the pump and it had bubbles in it,tried another pump,another fuel hose, still bubbles coming in the fuel
Turned out to be the brass fitting on top of the sender unit thing on top of the tank where the fuel line screws into, it was cracked around the pipe connection that connects the brass fitting to the small pipe going into the tank .hard to find but an easy fix.
Lawrie

34PKUP · 11-12-2018, 05:13 PM

Check the gasket on the glass bowl. A cracked or leaking gasket will cause air to be sucked into the system giving similar symptoms.

JSeery · 11-12-2018, 06:11 PM

The air in the line in the photo posted is prior to the fuel entering the fuel pump. There is a leak somewhere in the fuel line or one of the fittings.

51 MERC-CT · 11-12-2018, 09:44 PM

As previously stated, check the cork gasket on the fuel bowl.

JSeery · 11-12-2018, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 MERC-CT

As previously stated, check the cork gasket on the fuel bowl.

Maybe I'm not understanding something, how can a leak in the fuel bowl gasket cause air bubbles in the input line to the fuel bowl? Would not that cause air in the line after the fuel bowl? What am I not understanding here?

Tinker · 11-12-2018, 09:53 PM

I know teflon tape is considered a bastard fix. But if you use it 3/4 threads back it wont get into to system and seal. But if the fitting is stripped on the pump no amount of anything will fix that.

You can't go wrong with a new line tank to flex hose. I usually do it because its cheap insurance. Might be a pin hole. Air is coming from the tank forward would be my guess.

It's weird on a yblock I had the clear fuel filter never seemed to fill but yet the thing ran like a beast.

Lastly... Does it leave you stranded after 30min of driving? Coil?

Just more to add...

51 MERC-CT · 11-12-2018, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Maybe I'm not understanding something, how can a leak in the fuel bowl gasket cause air bubbles in the input line to the fuel bowl? Would that cause air in the line after the fuel bowl? What am I not understanding here?

Any air bubbles in the fuel bowl will rise to the highest point in the system, which would be the top of the input fuel line.

Tinker · 11-12-2018, 11:00 PM

If the check valves are leaking. Right???

Napa sells flat cork sheets, cheap. X-acto blade cutout.

.

John Gibson · 11-13-2018, 03:44 PM

Culprit all along has most likely been the flexible fuel line. Removed my clear line and I’m now suspicious that I didn’t have it clamped tight enough. Installed a new DC flexible line and she is purring like a kitten. We’ll see on the next road trip. Thanks to all who chimed in with thoughts and suggestions.
John

JSeery · 11-13-2018, 07:55 PM

Good news!

RKS.PA · 11-14-2018, 12:22 PM

Yet another satisfying trouble shooting project.....you have to love it when that happens!!!

11-12-2018, 02:31 PM	#2
Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,159	Re: Fuel delivery issues My 36 pu had a rubber gas line all to tank,did same thing,go about 5 miles and quit,put metal line in and problem went away,,check for some rubber tubing in line!!! __________________ DON P

11-12-2018, 03:03 PM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,936	Re: Fuel delivery issues Is that clear line clamped tight? By the way, that clear line is a fire hazard. Over time it becomes brittle, cracks and leaks. Don't want your car to go up in smoke.

11-12-2018, 03:16 PM	#4
John Gibson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Coastal Georgia Posts: 131	Re: Fuel delivery issues Clear fuel line is a temporary shade tree mechanic diagnostic tool. I have two new Carpenter ones, both Chinese to install once I’ll got this gremlin gone. Steel line all the way to the tank. I’ll try a new Ferrell and......

11-12-2018, 03:23 PM	#5
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,096	Re: Fuel delivery issues Is the gas cap vented ? Just a wild guess . Could you try running with another cap or without one .

11-12-2018, 05:10 PM	#6
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,215	Re: Fuel delivery issues Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) John, our 33 played up way back, I have a glass bowl on the pump and it had bubbles in it,tried another pump,another fuel hose, still bubbles coming in the fuel Turned out to be the brass fitting on top of the sender unit thing on top of the tank where the fuel line screws into, it was cracked around the pipe connection that connects the brass fitting to the small pipe going into the tank .hard to find but an easy fix. Lawrie Last edited by Lawrie; 11-12-2018 at 05:14 PM. Reason: spelling

11-12-2018, 05:13 PM	#7
34PKUP Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 794	Re: Fuel delivery issues Check the gasket on the glass bowl. A cracked or leaking gasket will cause air to be sucked into the system giving similar symptoms.

11-12-2018, 06:11 PM	#8
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Fuel delivery issues The air in the line in the photo posted is prior to the fuel entering the fuel pump. There is a leak somewhere in the fuel line or one of the fittings.

11-12-2018, 09:44 PM	#9
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Fuel delivery issues As previously stated, check the cork gasket on the fuel bowl. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

11-12-2018, 09:53 PM	#11
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Fuel delivery issues I know teflon tape is considered a bastard fix. But if you use it 3/4 threads back it wont get into to system and seal. But if the fitting is stripped on the pump no amount of anything will fix that. You can't go wrong with a new line tank to flex hose. I usually do it because its cheap insurance. Might be a pin hole. Air is coming from the tank forward would be my guess. It's weird on a yblock I had the clear fuel filter never seemed to fill but yet the thing ran like a beast. Lastly... Does it leave you stranded after 30min of driving? Coil? Just more to add... Last edited by Tinker; 11-12-2018 at 10:07 PM.

11-12-2018, 11:00 PM	#13
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Fuel delivery issues If the check valves are leaking. Right??? Napa sells flat cork sheets, cheap. X-acto blade cutout. . Last edited by Tinker; 11-12-2018 at 11:15 PM.

11-13-2018, 03:44 PM	#14
John Gibson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Coastal Georgia Posts: 131	Re: Fuel delivery issues Culprit all along has most likely been the flexible fuel line. Removed my clear line and I’m now suspicious that I didn’t have it clamped tight enough. Installed a new DC flexible line and she is purring like a kitten. We’ll see on the next road trip. Thanks to all who chimed in with thoughts and suggestions. John

11-13-2018, 07:55 PM	#15
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Fuel delivery issues Good news!

11-14-2018, 12:22 PM	#16
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Fuel delivery issues Yet another satisfying trouble shooting project.....you have to love it when that happens!!!