All the Sudden - Can't keep her running :(

rambos_ride

Been one of those - 1 step forward, 2 steps back kinda days.

Fixed the distributor oil leak and proceeded for a test drive to the filling station.

Got about 1/2 way there and lost all power going up a hill.

Thought she might be outta gas as it was close on the gauge - but can still see fuel in the clear filter, put 2 gallons in..started up sound good on a couple blips on the throttle then died.

Had to put her on the hook to get her home.

Took a look at the fuel filter and looked ok - but shook the darn thing and a bunch-o-crap floated out.

OK - replaced filter..before I did that, I ran the open fuel hose into a 5 gallon can and turned the fuel pump on..it seemed to be working fine pumping fuel into the bucket.

What I'm thinking is the fuel pump bypass is stuck open..once it gets any pressure in the line it just bypasses and doesnt push fuel up to the carbs.

So unless someone has some alternative ideas...I can't think of anything distributor wise that would exhibit this kind of behavior..and thats the only thing I messed with today.

Thoughts? Just go by another electric fuel pump?

lostmind

If a wire is shorted in the distributor ,sometimes the movement of the plate from advance and retard will cause it to quit. Just a guess.

[Deleted User]

Could be coincidental but check your condensor has not failed it sometimes reads like a fuel problem. Car stumbles will not stay running.

rambos_ride

I let her sit a couple hours Re-cheked the distributor placement - started and ran for about 30
seconds then stalled.

shut her down, pulled the battery cable.

NEw Fuel filter Clean and full

But, pulled both feed lines from carbs - front was dry, rear barely wet..should have been fuel there.

Took the loose feed lines..tried my bucket trick again..but this time..let the pump run, while I walked around to check (last time, I just turned it on for 10 seconds..then checked the bucket..sucks doing this all by yourself)

Barely a trickle coming out of the fuel filter.

So now, its either plugged tank, plugged or collapsing line, weak fuel pump - or knowing "danny's law" all of the above.

Figures the cars out in the dirt not in my shop - this should be FUN =P~

TOM-WA-

I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE WASP....
COULD BE A CONTAMINATED FULE TANK AND LINES

TRY THIS

TAKE A CONTAINER OF FRESH GAS AND RUN A LINE FROM IT DIRECTLY TO THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE FUEL PUMP...SEE IF THE CAR WILL RUN..IF SO YOUR TANK AND FUEL LINES ARE PROBABLY PLUGGED AND YOU MIGHT HAVE TO FIX THAT BUT IF SO I HAVE A SOLUTION.

IF IT STILL DOSENT RUN YOU MAY HAVE CONTAMINATED YOUR CARB LIKE I DID TO MY CAR AND THATS ANOTHER ISSUE, BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST..


REGARDS



TOM


PS I'LL BE GONE THE ENTIRE WEEK BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL ME AT 206 351-2649

HEading to reno then san francisco for the het meet

nick s

dan be sure you have a filter between the pump and tank. lots of bad can happen by pulling the crud through the electric pump. elen with an inline filter i had a sliver of metal slice the bellow in a pump, the valves can be blocked and if it has a mesh screen they can block restrict flow and overheat the pump.

[Deleted User]

Sounds like your blockage could be further back but that's definitely what it sounds like. I had the exact same symptoms of the engine running once. Checked and 'plenty' of fuel coming thru the line and filter but almost dry in the carb bowl. Turned out that a small piece of a gasket from the old filter had broken off and gotten lodged against the needle and seat.

Chris Smith

I'd change all the rubber fuel hose before changing anything else. A pin hole in a hose between the tank and the pump will suck enough air to cause starvation problems and not leak fuel.

rambos_ride

Some people should just NEVER work on cars.

There is a filter inline between the tank and inline electric pump, bottom 1/4 full-o-crud.
Pin hole leak in the rubber line out of the rear filter-when moved.
The absolute worst thing , sorry no pic, was the rear fuel filter was "mounted" such that it hung down below the rear frame section.

Any road debris, curb, rock or other hazard would have just torn the filter, and fuel pump right off the car causing an instant roadside-hudson-car-BBQ,!

So, off to the parts store to get some supplies.

SuperDave

There is a fuel sock on the pickup tube inside the tank. If it gets clogged.....

nick s

make plans to drop and flush and seal the tank, otherwise you will be fighting the crud until you do. check with your local radiator shops, the ones that will touch a tank may do it cheaper than you can buy the supplies. since the previous owner neglected this important step to getting it back on the road, did they properly do the brakes - wheel cylinders, master, rubber lines, steel lines, shoes, hardware? how about replacing the steel fuel line? obviously treat everything as if you didn't personally do it - it didn't happen unless it obviously has been addressed but those items should be trusted less.

rambos_ride

Absolutely agree with you 100%

I will be addressing all safety concerns as I can get to each one.

So far she's dictated what bubbles to the top of the list, and I need it running again to be able to get it into my shop...that and finish a project in the shop to make space.

[Deleted User]

"and I need it running again to be able to get it into my shop.."

I know what you mean about getting it running to work on it. I once bought a 51 from an old guy and when I got there to look at it it was out in the yard. I thought he moved it there so I could see it readily. No thats where it dies and never moved again. Axle shaft or something broke and he could'nt deal with it in the grass.
Roger

[Deleted User]

Some models of Hudsons had a screened area in the gas tank, where the pick up tube goes into. No way to clean unless you drop the tank and have a radiator shop clean it out and remove that screen area. We are doing a 1950 commodore 8 right now and that was the problem why it would start, run a few minutes, then stall. My 53 did not have that screen area in it. Walt.

rambos_ride

So finally got some free time - needed to be able to run it and be certain the tank was the issue.

And took it for a 6 mile drive..no stalling, but when I got home both new filters looked like the old ones.

So much for the previous owner telling me the tank was relined..if it was it failed...I think I'll take a video boroscope with me next time!

To tell ya all the truth..I'm ditching the stock tank...if anyone wants it let me know.

I'm just not going to mess with it. I can get a fuel cell, mounting straps and just mount it in place of the stock one for a lot less headache than trying to clean and seal this one.
I'll also run all new fuel line from the tank to the carbs and remove rubber from the equation.

Probably be about mid-end of August before I'll get it replaced..I've got to get a languishing project out of my shop to do the tank swap.

I'll throw a teaser out there too...I'm working on a project for the Hudson to help with cooling..and might be part of the work I do with the tank replacement...can't say anymore about it right now, but it'll be "cool" if it works out )

Glowplug

A "KOOL" addition to the fuel line would be a COOL CAN with pressure regulator.

[Deleted User]

Is that a Hudson option? Or is it a Dealer option that fit many cars of the era?

What was the operational improvement specs for that device?

I think RAMBOS_RIDE is using a radiator as in Intercooler for the intake air.