The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Fuel filter question. '56 235

When I don't drive my truck for a couple weeks or even an hour it is difficult to start due to the fuel filter bowl being half empty. I noticed today that after shutting off the motor I could see a small bubble appear and swirl around the top of the glass bowl and disappear followed by another. I think it was air. After about 30 minutes you could see the gas level in the bowl had dropped. I can't find any leaks or smell gas. Where did the bubble come from and where is it going? The gas tank is vented. I used vice grips to pinch the rubber gas line closed and the the appearance of the bubbles slowed significantly. If air is being drawn in wouldn't there be a leak somewhere ?

All of my cars have glass bowl filters or pumps and there are always air bubbles in them. That's while sitting cold as well as operating temperature. Don't worry about it.

Today's fuel evaporates at lower temperatures than fuel of 60 years ago. It isn't even the same fuel as it was 20 years ago.

I've had fuel completely evaporate from a carburetor fuel bowl in as little as 30 minutes.

As long as your fuel pump is working, it will take a few seconds to get fuel up into the carburetor before your engine starts.

Make sure all of your rubber hoses are clamped tight. I don't use rubber fuel lines connected to steel lines unless they have crimped fittings and can be threaded to the steel lines.