The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1955 235 inline 6 Starting trouble

When my truck sits for a week or two, it takes forever to get it started. I have the same problem with my '53 Buick. I have been told that the gas we have these days leaks down in these old vehicles and you have to wait for the fuel pump to prime up again. Would an electric fuel pump fix the problem? It sure does seem that the thing just isn't getting gas at first. Does anyone know where I would get a 6 volt electric fuel pump? Are there any other suggestions for things I should check? Both have rebuilt carburetors and fuel pumps.

Well I'm using a carter electric fuel pump it works good I have the model number if you want but see what the others have to say....Peter

apbmalibu,

I don't think the composition of the modern gas will make it leak any more or less than 'old' gas. A functioning fuel pump should fill a empty carburetor in a few seconds.

If the truck sits outside, my first thought would be moisture on/in the ignition system. Is your rig equipped with a choke, and do you use it?

Putting a electric fuel pump on the rig would be low on my list of remedies. If the engine is in good shape and has been tuned recently, it shouldn't take tons of cranking to fire it off.

With the 6 volt system, electrical integrity is pretty important. A long crank doesn't leave much "juice" left over for the ignition system. This is why everything must be in tip-top shape.

If you are bound and determined it is lack of fuel from sitting, and you have the energy, pull the air cleaner next time this happens and you will be able to see inside the carburetor.

If you work the throttle before cranking, and get no squirts from the accelerator pump, your theory about a leaky fuel bowl is true.

Crank the engine for 4 seconds for so, and do the drill again. The pump should have filled the bowl and the accelerator pump should squirt.

With the carburetor full and operating, you should be able to start the truck. Good luck.

Stuart

The truck is a '55 second series and has a 12 volt system with brand new points, cap, rotor, plugs, wires and tune up. It runs great, but isn't getting gas right away when we try to start it.

I have an electric pump in my '54 as well. So far its been great. I have a kill switch under the dash, so if the truck is stolen, I only have a mile or so radius to search.

Supposed to be it's more 'volatile' than yrs. ago gas was. Means it evaporates faster, especially so when you shut it down & the engine heat is rising up & heating the carb body. Elect pump is a sure cure. On the rare occasion when mine sits over several days I pull the air filter & pour just a pinch of gas in the carb top. Not recommended, you're playing with liquid dynamite. Doug

mine would take awhile to crank if he sit for 2 weeks.. with mine, the longer it sits , the longer it takes to start, if I drive or start it one day, then it will fire right up the next day, if I wait 3 or 4 days then I have to try a little longer,,mine has no choke though, I just try and drive or start it at least ever 3 days... no help here but just my story and I am sticking to it..

I have a Walbro 6V electrc pump from JC Witney in the 41 and I love it. Takes only one revolution to start, no mather how long it sat.

The new reformulated gas is not only more volatile then the old one. They changed it a big time.

I once got several glones of "real good old shool" gas that is only aviable for aviation use over here form a pilot friend.

OHMYGAWD! You won´t belive how the engine runs with that.

"Forever to start"....have you tried a little squirt of gas directly into the carb to verify that it actual is a fuel-starve problem? If a squirt gets it to fire right away....then you've isolated your problem. If it doesn't then you can take a different approach. Hi-mileage engines with low compression, slow starter cranking speed (drag)w/low voltage to the coil could also factor into the problem.

Jumping onto an electric 12v fuel pump might not be the best first step to solving your problem.
Do the simple test first....before you buy stuff that comes complete with it's own set of new problems. That's my $.03!!!

I have a 37 Buick and a forklift with the old 230ci chrysler flathead six, both get intermittent use. Before electric pumps were intalled I would have to prime with a squirt bottle, sometimes several times, to keep from grinding on the starter. After the pumps were put on I wait till they change sound--signifying the carb is full, pump the footfeed one time, hit the starter and one turn later they're running. I use only for starting and then run on the mechanical pump.

Why do you want a 6 Volt pump?

The only reason I asked about a 6 volt pump is because I have the same problem with my '53 Buick which is 6 volt.