The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Maybe it wasn't the fuel

The Suburban ran great last night after I got the old fuel out of it. It ran great this morning going to town. Then coming home it took some intermittent sputtering spells Then it started losing power on the same stretch of road where it started when I had the old gas in it.

Now I'm thinking I have a loose terminal somewhere in the ignition system. Or maybe the Pertronix unit is playing tricks on me. Anyone ever had one flutter before dying?

What else should I be looking at?

Vapor lock? Fuel supply problem? got a filter or glass fuel pump you can jump out to check when it happens?

Maybe water in the tank from the corn squeezeins!

I had the coil wire to my distributor come loose one time and it would randomly bounce around and be an intermittent connection. It was somewhat held in place by the boot and looked ok, but was really not secure in the socket and was probably moving around from the fan wash at speed. Maybe check all the plug wires?

I took the Suburban for a test run today to try to duplicate the problem. It ran great for 40 miles. Have no idea if/when it will screw up again.

Before I left I checked over all ignition and plug wires. No loose connection. I ran some fine sandpaper over the rotor contacts but I don't think it needed it.

My theory now is there was still some moisture in the tank after I pumped out all the pick up would reach. While sloshing around in the tank while on the highway some of it gets sloshed up into the pick up. Sound possible?

Seems like I have read of a product that will absorb moisture in a tank and make it harmless. Anyone know what it would be?

Sta-bil is one such product that has been around for quite a while. Readily available at flaps, Walmart etc.

When I lived in upstate NY the winter of 86 everybody used isoprol alcohol.
1pint/tank
Every tank from the really cheap stations.

SeaFoam has enough alcohol in it to absorb moisture, or you could just go to your friendly local drug store and get a couple of pints of 91% rubbing alcohol for somewhat less money. Either one will de-water the fuel tank.
Jerry

methyl hydrate [methanol] is a gas line antifreeze, neutralizes water - found as thinner for shellac

Bill

Post time 3:21
A tie for the same solution ?

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to take it to town to the car wash later. I'll pick up a couple of bottles of rubbing alcohol while in town and give that a try.

You can get a product called HEET at your local FLAPS. Removes water from the tank. Been around for years.

I poured a quart of 91% rubbing alcohol in it this afternoon. Now it has 'til Sunday to work it's magic before I drive it to Fort Worth for a show.

Gonna have trouble keeping it between the lines?

Let us know what works.

-W

OK, made the show in Fort Worth today with no problems. Truck ran like it should. A little over 100 miles round trip. The rubbing alcohol must have done the trick. Thanks for the hot tip, guys.

Interesting to me that the often maligned as evil, alcohol, was the cure for your problem. I have no doubt that it did solve the problem. Alcohol has been sold for decades as a water eliminator in gasoline.

I think it was the fuel, maybe time and your filter will tell. They used to sell a water atomizer to install into carb to give more Ooompf. Go figure. I think it's more the fact you are running it. Also I used to use Isopropyl Alcohol in cars that could not pass emissions and then they did. Either way, glad it runs good, hope it stays that way. Pour some Sta-Bil in if not driving much. Don't tell us what you did with the old fuel.

"There's no fuel like an old fuel!" Everybody knows that!

Jerry

"A little moonshine for me- a little for the motor...a little for me- a little for the motor, a little for me- a little for me"...

The oldtime dirt track racers who came to Nashville from Chattanooga over in the east Tennessee mountains used to have a saying: "A race car needs water and alcohol- - - - -water in the radiator and alcohol in the driver!"
Jerry