New fuel tank - hard starting

[moparist]

:icon_question: I just put a new fuel tank (Canadian Spectre) in my 65 Coronet 500 HT. Also installed anew sen ding unit/pickup. I ran some paint thinner thru the tank-to-pump line to clean it. I've tried starting the car with my Ram 1500 helping the Coronet's battery. So far, no luck. The car ran prior to taking it down for a year to rebuild the front and rear suspension. It'll start when I put gas in carb, but doesn't seem to be sucking gas to carburetor. I've tried to find something to suck gas to the fuel pump from the tank but haven't had any luck. I will try my Phoenix brake bleeder as a suction. But its fittings aren't real compatible with 5/16" fuel line. A drill-operated transfer pump looked good except for all the warnings about flammable liquids. Any ideas, guys?? I ordered a new tank-to-pump fuel line from Summit, but would like to get this thing running so I can get the suspension aligned. Its been parked too long. Thanks for any help. moparist

 

[kiwigtx]

Is it possible that the new tank does not have a breather system? Maybe it is creating a vacuum, and not allowing fuel to flow?
Also check the fuel cap - if you changed that also - it may be a non-vented type?

Hope that helps.

 

[terzmo]

even with no vent it would run until a vacum is made. I would see if the new sending unit is clogged...then the fuel line..take the line off the carb...turn it over and see if fuel is flowing..if not flowing...then the sending unit would be my next step as that is what was changed...If My car is running....and then I do somthing to it and it not running...it's usually what I "fixed" that broke it....if you understand my point....G/L

 

[Baller]

I read something in a recent(?) issue of Mopar Action regarding this. Can't remeber which issue, but the problem was with the sending unit/filter. Sorry that this is almost no help, but I can't find the issue that I read it in.

 

[Photon440]

Are the lines new? I had a tank once that you couldn't suck fuel from, but with a bit of air pressure at the filler neck, gas would come out of the carb line. But it still wouldn't suck gas. I found out that one of the rubber hoses close to the tank had softened and was collapsing under suction.

 

[vanrj1]

disconnect the line form the sending unit and run it into a gas can and see if it starts to rule out all other possibilities, Fuel pump could have pooped out. who knows!
process of elimination.

 

[Dako]

Agree, if it sat for a year, the diaphram in the fuel pump could have went bad. If it runs with gas going down the carb throat, I would run a few feet of fuel hose from the pump inlet into a gas can. If it doesn't pull gas from the can and run, most likely the pump went bad from sitting. If it does run, work your way back...diconnecting and blowing out the fuel line from the tank attachment end. If it still don't run, THEN get into the tank. I like to start easy then work to the harder stuff.

 

[rrowdy]

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When I had my tank out for a fuel line and rear suspension upgrade, it sat for about 6Months.
I put everything back together it wouldn't start, turned out the check valves in the pump were dry and as soon as they got wet with fuel, everything was fine.
At the carburetor, I'd hook that vacuum pump up to the fuel line and get some fuel up to the carb and try it.
Not saying that's the problem but it's easy to try.

Good luck!

 

[moparist]

Thanks for the response guys. While waiting for your responses, I went out yesterday and did some troubleshooting. WEhen I broke the fuel line coming to the carb, it had fuel. I then broke the line coming from the filter to the carb and it was pumping. My original concern was that the tank to pump line was clogged. Turns out thte problem now is the carb, an old carter BBD 2-bbl. The carb was good before I shut the car down for repairs, but now its not allowing fuel intop the bowls, apparently. The engine will start and run briefly with fuel poured in it. A web search showed that fuel could be put in the carb's vent tube to fill the bowls for priming. The Carter has no vent tube. So I think the carb needs a good cleaning or a straight rebuild. So that's the plan as of today. I want to thank you all for your responses. That's how we live and learn. moparist

 

[coloradodave]

You might just try rapping the inlet fitting with a plastic mallet a time or two to dislodge the needle from the seat. If you're lucky, that might do it.

 

[Moparsmitty]

You might just try rapping the inlet fitting with a plastic mallet a time or two to dislodge the needle from the seat. If you're lucky, that might do it.

That's what I'm guessing. If the carb has been sitting for a while with fuel in it, the float needles could be stuck. Might need to open it up and clean it out. Might as well rebuild it while you have it apart.

 

[moparist]

After I made thepost and was waiting for replies, I tested the fuel line from the pump to carb. I found I had fuel at the inline filter. I reconnecyed that and checked the fuel at the inlet to the carb. I had fuel there. So it appears the carb had clogged up with shellack from sitting for over a year in the hot southern sun while various work was done on the car. The carb is now being rebuilt and should be back in the car next week, or sooner. I'll let you know how it turns out. BTW, for those that asked, I replaced the tank, sending unit/pickup, and installed a new inline filter. I flushed the tank-to-pump line with paint thinner using a Phoenix, one-man brake bleeder. The car would start and run when I poured gas down the carb but wouldn't stay running, so I thought the line was clogged or the pump was bad. I have a new Carter pump, but didn't install it. Fuel pumps well up to the carb now. Just waiting on the carb. Thanks for the support. moparist