The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Completed Journals 1957 Chevy 3100 - Chop Top project "Death Trap"

SHE"S BACK.... well Death Trap has developed two problems. First the it starts and runs great but after 5 or 10 miles it staggers and falls flat, the fuel pump growls as if it's starving for fuel. Eventually it dies and doesn't seem to prime enough fuel to start. The second is the brakes, they stop but not what you would expect from something with 4 wheel discs and a vacuum booster.

The first problem needs the most attention. I followed the Holley instructions but had to modify the fuel pump mounting as it needs to be located below the level of the fuel tank. On this project that just wasn't going to happen as the fuel tank is the at the lowest point. I mounted the fuel pump as low and as close to the tank as possible, it would seem that this is just not close or low enough to allow for constant flow to the pump. I scratched my head a little and decided to add a small lift pump to supply fuel from the tank to the EFI pump. This did take care of the fuel supply issue but didn't help the staggering or dying.

I originally ran the fuel return line back to the fuel supply line prior to and fuel pump, my thinking was that if it returned before the pump it would be much the same as returning to the tank. My thinking was wrong! I tested the connection by running the return line to a gas can to see if it may any difference , it did. The return line carries around 3 gallons of fuel back to the tank in just 5 minutes of run time at engine idle. Knowing this makes the decision to not run the return line to the tank stick out as the DUMB move for the day.

The problem was and is that this style tank has no provisions for adding a return line. The tank is a stock Mustang design with the pickup tube and sending unit mounted low in the front with only a 2.5-3 in hole for access, the only other opening is for the fuel filler neck. The solution I came up with is to run the return line into the filler neck. I drilled the hole for the bung style fitting and attached it inside the filler neck. I will run the return line to this point and add a vent line as well.

I still need to bend up the return line and and remount the tank, I'm pretty confident the this setup will resolve the fuel problem. I'll post more pics as I finish up the tank. As for the brakes, well I have ordered a Power Brake bleeder from Jeg's ( I read a few threads about it in the Drivetrain forum) and play with the brake booster rod adjustment.

Working on these old truck can be quite humbling at times, they just show us we are not as smart as we think we are. Thanks for following.