Fuel Delivery Problem

[Randalla]

I have a 67 1/2 1600 Roadster that has been running well until very recently. I noticed a week ago that the car seemed to have gotten more difficult to start. Then, a couple of days ago it would not start no matter how long I cranked the starter. Initially I suspected it might have been an electrical issue. A couple shots of ether in the carbs got it going again leading me to to pop the lids off the float bowls. Both bowls were dry. I next disconnected the hose from the carbs to see if the fuel pump was working. It was and quickly filled a glass jar. I surmised that somehow the fuel system had lost its prime while sitting a day or two (never happened before though). After filling both bowls again the car ran fine on a 10 mile trip, and started fine immediately afterwards. Today the same thing happened, would not start...dry float bowls, fuel pump pumping fuel. I should mention that in the midst of these problems I installed a new fuel filter thinking maybe it was clogged. It didn't make any difference. Any thoughts?

[greydog]

My '68 exhibited the same issue when I first got it running.
In the fittings on top of the float bowl, you may find two very fine mesh cylindrical screens. Both were plugged solid. I removed the screens, cleaned them with throttle body spray and reinstalled them. No issues since.
May be worth a look.
Dan

[notoptoy]

Check your fuel lines for cracks, clamps for tightness and if you are using the Glass fuel filter, check the cork gasket for dryness and if it is sealing well. Do you have the correct gas cap? The pre-69's have vented caps, if you put an aftermarket, or late model cap on the gas, it creates a vacuum in the system. If it won't start, and you loosen the gas cap and get a "whoosh" you know you have a venting issue.

[23yrRebuild]

if you are using the Glass fuel filter, check the cork gasket for dryness and if it is sealing well.

I found this rubber gasket to replace the Nissan cork one, and it fits the original fuel strainer / filter on my '67 perfectly...
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b/sp ... 08/4722181

[spags1986]

Same exact thing happened to my 67 1600 2 months ago. I ended up putting an inline plastic filter in the line, then just last week removed the manual fuel pump and put an electric one. Probably the best decision I have made, car runs so much smoother. I was very hesitant to do it because I liked the originality of the glass fuel bowl and mechanical pump, but decided I would rather have the reliability.

[david premo]

FYI to the people running the glass bowl filters, I have a rubber gasket that replaces the cork gasket and eliminates the problem.
Dave

[Randalla]

A few more pieces of information. I am using the factory gas cap and the factory glass filter bowl. The rubber seal is a good idea and I'll look to replace the cork one I have. I'm also using a filter before the fuel pump and just swapped in a new one thinking that may be an issue. It wasn't. Thought maybe a stuck float valve, but two sticking at the same time doesn't make sense. So far I'm sticking with the mechanical pump but may be talked into electric the first time I get stranded.

[2mAn]

Same exact thing happened to my 67 1600 2 months ago. I ended up putting an inline plastic filter in the line, then just last week removed the manual fuel pump and put an electric one. Probably the best decision I have made, car runs so much smoother. I was very hesitant to do it because I liked the originality of the glass fuel bowl and mechanical pump, but decided I would rather have the reliability.

Ive thought about doing this too... what pump did you use?

[AC77]

FYI to the people running the glass bowl filters, I have a rubber gasket that replaces the cork gasket and eliminates the problem.
Dave

I'd love to get one of those.

[Linda]

You can dip the cork gasket into the gas, plump it up, and it usually works fine and seals for quite a while.
Linda

[spags1986]

Same exact thing happened to my 67 1600 2 months ago. I ended up putting an inline plastic filter in the line, then just last week removed the manual fuel pump and put an electric one. Probably the best decision I have made, car runs so much smoother. I was very hesitant to do it because I liked the originality of the glass fuel bowl and mechanical pump, but decided I would rather have the reliability.

Ive thought about doing this too... what pump did you use?

It was a super easy install. I used this pump off of amazon and actually purchased two to keep in the trunk in case it ever went bad. I wired it up in a way that I could quickly switch it out if needed. It didn't need a regulator or anything, it's amazing how much better the car runs and how much more confidence I have in it.

[Linda]

Could you post a pic of how and where you mounted it.
I think they recommend a kill switch for accidents too.
Linda

[notoptoy]

Hmmmmm, "Kill" switch in the event of an accident, may not be the best choice of words? Perhaps deactivation switch?

[redroadster]

How is it wired ?
It needs to shut off when the engine is not running, but the ignition was not turned off , like in a wreck

[nismou20]

Although I have not yet incorporated the safety sw into my fuel system, I'm running a Carter 4070 that's been around for many years. Very robust and although I'm told that one should install a pump just after the fuel tank, I've been running it as a puller for about 8 years with no problem. Carter also come with 3 rubber isolated mounting bolts and it really isn't that loud. Also fitted a pretty accurate 0-5 PSI regulator after it.