Dry fuel filter

[Car #4]

I started to remove a header on a 440 to fix a leak. I removed the alternator to make some room and got a clear view of the fuel filter. The car has sat since last Nov. The fuel filter is dry. I expect the fuel evaporated but could it have drained back?
No wonder these cars are so hard to start in the spring.

 

[toolmanmike]

I started to remove a header on a 440 to fix a leak. I removed the alternator to make some room and got a clear view of the fuel filter. The car has sat since last Nov. The fuel filter is dry. I expect the fuel evaporated but could it have drained back?
No wonder these cars are so hard to start in the spring.

View attachment 1823477

Probably evaporation. You could clamp off the rubber line below the filter and see if it empty's out the filter. You might have to let it set for weeks for it to happen though. Many have installed a small electric "priming pump" near the tank to fill the carb with fuel for easy starting. Here's a link. Electric priming pump for fuel evaporation issues.

 

[Darter6]

Many have installed a small electric "priming pump" near the tank to fill the carb with fuel for easy starting. Here's a link. Electric priming pump for fuel evaporation issues.

Done it to many of my cars too.The mini pumps such as Mr Gasket has works great 2-3.5 or 4 to 7 psi. I use the 2 to 3.5 psi for Carter/Edelbrock carbs.
Simple toggle switch to power source,no relay needed.

 

[Sam69sat]

When i haven't started my car for a while i prime the carburetor with gas through the fuel vents with a squeeze bottle. Fires right up.

 

[71Beeper]

Try one of these.

Put it in between the carb and fuel pump or between the fuel pump and fuel tank.
My buddy has one on his 340 engine in his Dart and says it works.
He has the Eddy AVS2 on it and still has to crank the crap out of it when hot, that was before he installed the check valve.

 

[dadsbee]

If I've said it once I've said it a dozen times here, there IS a check valve in the pump. If it's working properly fuel can't drain back...

 

[toolmanmike]

If I've said it once I've said it a dozen times here, there IS a check valve in the pump. If it's working properly fuel can't drain back...

If you think about how a fuel pump works, it has to have a working check valve or it wouldn't pull fuel from the tank. The diaphragm would just pull fuel and then push it right back without a valve to stop it.

Like the mitral valve in my heart. The valve was leaking and the blood would pump to the upper chamber and it would flow right back to the lower chamber because the valve wasn't sealing. They fixed it.

 

[dadsbee]

Not that easy.. mine was working fine with the odd questionable supply issue, 'till one day it got real and wouldn't start at all.

All it would take in the OP's case is some high ethanol fuel that deformed his flapper valve slightly or a small piece of crud to just leave enough gap for a slow drain when not running. Running, it would probably suck just fine...

 

[Car #4]

Is that a piece of rubber stuck in there?!

 

[dadsbee]

Is that a piece of rubber stuck in there?!

Yep...

.. I have 6 cars in the shop, I can start any of them in 2 cranks after sitting all Winter.

 

[forphorty]

My only comment is : I don't think plastic fuel filters are the best idea, neither are the glass ones.