Fuel System: 57 Silver Hawk fuel delivery problem.

[swaim]

The Hawk became hard to start and was smoking. Twice it died and would not restart. Both times it restarted after about 15 minutes of setting. I had gas in the oil. The fuel pump diaphragm broke so I installed an electric fuel pump and again it died and would not start. I checked the fuel line back to the tank. When I disconnected the line between the tank and pump no fuel came out. I blew compressed air I the line and gas came out. A few days later the same thing happened. I blew on the line and fuel started. Today I removed the sending unit and cleaned out the tank. The fuel tube has two small holes near the end like something should be attached. I can't find a picture of what it should look like. Used a small hose on a shop vac to vacuum the inside. It is clean. When I drained the fuel it was clean. Put it back together. Started it and let it run about 15 minutes before driving. Got about 1/4 mile and it died. We pushed it back and put compressed air in the line then the fuel flowed. Ran 15 minutes then on the road, I got about a mile. I got my truck and compressor but this time when I blew in the line nothing came out. Added 5 gallons of gas. Nothing came out. During this each time I blew in the line I would attach the line and let the fuel pump run. When it worked I could see the pump push gas into the fuel filter near the carb. I used a gas can and ran a line from the can to the pump. Turned the switch and gas pumped into the fuel filter. Drove it home and there it sets.
Seems like my options are a new sending unit with the fuel pipe...if I can find one, or drop the tank and take it somewhere to install a fuel connector in the tank. Any ideas?

[41 Frank]

Question....where in the line did you install the electric fuel pump? If you did not install it close to the tank that may be your problem. Electric pumps are not designed to draw fuel, only to push fuel.

[swaim]

About 2feet from the tank. It was a cheap filter. maybe I need a better one, but then again the gas can is in the tank farther away from the pump

[Flashback]

Maybe I didn't exactly understand where the two small holes are. If you have a real small hole above the fuel level on the pickup tube, it will pull air and not pull the fuel. I had this to happen on a old drag car. The fuel was above the little rust hole on the line sitting and when I started off, with 1/2 tank, the fuel went to back and below the air hole. Discovered , that WHEN I FILLED THE TANK IT RAN. Pulled the tank and sender. Found the little hole???????????

[41 Frank]

Have you checked the fuel pick up tube for possibly having pin holes?

[swaim]

The two holes are there for a reason. They are at the end of the pipe where it is lowest in the tank. Looks like something was to attach there. The pipe is clean, not rusted or damaged.

[StudeRich]

Nothing attaches in the holes, I always thought they were a backup if anything restricts the flow from the end of the pipe or to allow more fuel to enter the tube.
A brass filter screen "Sock" like some other makes use, would have been a good addition to that pipe.

Have you checked the Gas Cap? It needs to be a VENTED cap that is not plugged up.

[Mike]

You say you used a small hose on a shop vac to vacuum the inside of your fuel tank! You are lucky you didn't start a fire. A shop vac drawing in gas fumes is a flame thrower. Kids, don't try this at home.
Mike M.

[Son O Lark]

Does your gas cap have a ventilation hole in it? Is it clogged?

[swaim]

I am buying a new cap on my way home.
thanks for the suggestion.
I think brain surgery might be less complicated.

[Jerry Forrester]

Do you have hard line all the way from the tank, through the elec. pump, to near the mech. fuel pump?
If you have a soft line any where between the tank and the fuel pumps, the ethanol will deteriorate it and air will suck IN through it walls but gas may not seep OUT through the walls.
This is not theory, I've had it happen on my 1983/4/5/6/7 Cadillac/GMC/Chevy 3/4 ton pick up/dump truck AND my 1996 20hp Murray lawn tractor.

[swaim]

I don't want to be too quick but I think this problem is solved.
Even though I have a new vented gas cap it must fail. I bought a new cap from a different supply house and it seems to have solved the problem.
I drove a couple miles and came back. When I opened the gas cap I did not get that vacuum sound.
I then drove about 5 miles and it's still good.
I am borrowing a fuel cell from a friend and driving a much longer distance tomorrow morning. If it fails I will attach the fuel cell to the electric fuel pump and get home.

since I feel so good about this:

A woman walks into a bar and orders a double entendre.
The bartender gives it to her.