The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fuel evaporating?

I have a '52, 3100 with the original 216, Rochester B, 6V, oil-bath, etc., pretty much how she came from the factory. I have owned her for two years. Previous owner rebuilt the engine. I had her tuned, plugs, timing, points, wires done by an old-timer when I first got her. She runs great. The problem is that she will sit for two or three weeks sometimes without being cranked. Then, I have to crank and crank and crank and crank, then crank some more before she finally fires. I can crank her the next day, or several days later with no problem. So, I am absolutely sure that the problem is that the carb empties when she sits for so long. There is absolutely no evidence of gas leakage anywhere under the carb. I have rebuilt the carb (not for this reason, but for sticking float)and the fuel pump(original glass bowl) has all new gaskets. I know that the fuel bowl is vented to atmosphere, so could fuel simply be evaporating during the time she is not ran?

Not sure if its relative to your problem but I have a 350 and 305 V8's in my garage and if they sit for a "spell" I have to pump and pump and pump to get gas to the carb. I'm running regular fuel pumps and 4-barrels. Seems to just dry up but like you, once started I can go back in a day or two and they'll fire the first round. Let them sit for a month and its pump pump.....I can pull the choke out and it does help though. Doe pulling the choke help you??

yep that is what is happening, I have to fill the float bowl every weekend, but if I drive it in the middle of the week, it works fine. It isn't really that big of a deal. It is normal

I have a similar problem on another project car I have. It runs great but if it sits for a couple weeks the fuel evaporates out the float bowl vent and likes been said I have to turn it over & over quite a bit to get the bowl filled. It'll start right up and run great then.

An electric fuel pump would cure it but I can live with it.

Good luck
Dave

Thanks for all the replies. I figured that was normal, but wanted to check with others.

I have the same problem with my truck. My solution is to use starting fluid so I don't have to wear out the starter and battery.

There are mechanical fuel pumps with primer arms that you can pump to refill the fuel bowl on the carb.

My 42 Ford has one and yeah, if it sits a week then I pop the hood (check the oil, pump the primer) and it will start right up.

I have the same problem with my 235. I found if I give her some choke and pump the gas a couple times she'll usually fire right up. Then I started thing. Thats the way I was taught when I started driving! I wonder if electric fuel pumps and TBI hasn't spoiled us. Also, I wonder if what passes for gasoline now evaporates faster. John

Put in a new fuel pump.