The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk First Drive around the yard :)

Well, after unsticking the clutch my oldest son and I took a ride around the yeard and up & down the driveway. Kinda funny driving with the hump cover removed seeing the ground go by. Just like the Flintstones.

The next day I rolled it out of the garage and proceeded to replace the upper and lower radiator hoses. Once I had them both off, I tried to pull it back in the garage but couldn't get it to start. Left it out under the stars and tried again today.

To make a medium story shorter, I finished replacing the hoses and buttened it back up but still can't get it to start.

It will run for a few seconds when I pour some gas down the carb. so I know that fuel starvation's the problem. Question is why would I be able to drive it around the yard one day and not be able to start it the next?

I'm thinking that old gas or sludge somewhere in the fuel system may be the problem. First order of business I'll prob. change the fuel filter. It had only sat 2-3 yrs. with a quarter tank of gas. Am I gonna need to take the tank out and empty it or can I get by with simply (maybe not simply?) draining the old gas, and changing the filter?

I'm guessing that at some point I'll need to rebuild the carb. I don't mind doing that myself but I'd rather wait just a bit.

Background: It had started up just fine many times before I drove it around the yard. It's a 292 in a 66.

Rance (Still smiling about my new truck)

First try at fixin' would be to drain the gas outta the tank and lines and put in a new filter. Old gasoline just won't do the trick.

If ya still cain't get 'er to run smooth, your fuel pump may have gone south. Fuel pump innards like carburetor innards can be cantankerous--'specially ones that have been settin' around for a spell.

If you start getting a bunch of crud in the new filter, a tank cleanout may be in order.

I think you are on track with the fuel filter. As to the tank, I would empty it rather than just remove the old gas. There is likely a lot of debris floating around the bottom (there was on ours).

Let us know how it goes.

I'd take the breather off the carb, then stuff a rolled up sheet of paper down in there, then pump the crap out of the throttle.

After about 5 or 6 pumps, you outta have a wet piece of paper. If not, you ain't getting gas, and your problem is likely a clogged fuel line or filter, or a barfed fuel pump.

If you have a wet piece of paper, then you're getting fuel.. take the paper out in the driveway and toss a match on it. The paper outta instantly be consumed in flames. If not, well.. your gas is probably bad.

If I had to absolutely guess, i'd say you probably have a clog. Your "tour de lawn" probably knocked some crud in the tank free, and you got a floater stuck in the line, fuel pump, or filter.

In ANY vehicle that has sat more than a year, I always reccomend pulling the gas tank, and at the very least, flushing it out.

What I do is remove the tank, dump out the old gas, then put a gallon of fresh gas in it and shake it up good, then dump out the fresh gas.

Some dudes put loose nuts and bolts in the tank at this phase along with the gas. The loose nuts and bolts rattling around in there help bust loose any stuck on debris or rust flakes. Just remember to count what you put in, and make sure you get the same number back out!

Then I let it sit for a day or so with a pair of panty hose over the fill spout (to let vapor out, but keep critters, sand, and other stuff out)

After it's had a chance to air out, I have a look down the spout with a flashlight, to try and get an idea of what it looks like rust wise.

From there, you can go to further cleaning with commercial tank cleaning solution, and/or sealing.

Thanks for all your feedback.

It has one of those after-market(I believe) fuel filters just ahead of the carb. When I replace the filter would it be worth my while to get one with a glass bowl? Maybe both? What's the skinny on fuel filters? Thanks.

Rance

I like the glass bowl because you can see real quick like if you're getting gas out of the tank and past the pump.

I don't know jack squat about fuel filters, tho.. I flushed the tanks in both my trucks before I started them just in case.

I got a new clear inline fuel filter. I think I'll be happy with that. In fact I think I'll carry an extra.

I've narrowed it down to the carb. I'll be ordering a carb. kit tomorrow and be done with it. Then of course cleaning out the gas tank before the next startup.

Rance

floats are only 10 bucks add that to your order mine cracked and left me setting