Re: [HSS] Another wacky idea....?

Unknown

In theory, you should be able to get fuel into the vac tank by just turning

the engine over on the starter for a while. In practice, I'm not so sure.

I"ve seen it done, but not lately.



I don't know about Hudsons, but on my big Sunbeam I just fill (overfill) the

carby float chamber with fuel, fire up the engine and it will run long

enough to pull some more gas through the system. Works every time. But I

have to admit I'm getting better at remembering to use the shutoff valve

under the vac tank. It would be nice to have an extended shaft running

through the firewall up to the dash - perhaps out of sight but still easily

accessible - so that the tap could be operated without having to lift the

Bonnet (hood).



Peter R.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Lew Phelps" <hudsontownsedan@earthlink.net>

To: <HudsonSuperSix16-29@yahoogroups.com>

Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2006 4:16 AM

Subject: [HSS] Another wacky idea....?





> Since Geoff Clark refitted my '29 Town Sedan with the OEM vacuum

> tank, removing an electric fuel pump, the engine has been very happy,

> except for one thing.

>

> If I leave the car parked and not running for an extended time (say,

> 24 hours) the carb float isn't quite strong enough to shut off the

> flow of gas from the vacuum tank, and thus eventually the reservoir

> in the vacuum tank will drain out, and you're out of gas, at least as

> far as the engine knows.

>

> Geoff and I installed a little shutoff valve on the line leading from

> the gas tank to the carb, and that works fine -- when Cathy and I

> remember to turn it off when we park the car in the garage. All too

> often, we have come out to the car to find that the vacuum tank is

> dry. I have become VERY adapt at refilling the tank without taking

> the top off of it (details to follow, if anyone is interested).

>

> Anyway, after this happened again yesterday, I thought that a good

> solution to the problem might be to locate and install a suitable

> solenoid valve (that is, a shutoff valve that would automatically

> shut off when you turn off the ignition, and open to let gas flow

> when you turn the ignition switch on.

>

> It turns out that suitable valves ARE available, with 6-volt DC

> coils, at a cost of about $35 each. The coil draws 16 volt-amps,

> which means it draws 2.5 amps the entire time the car is running.

> This might be a problem for anyone with an OEM generator and

> additional electric load above and beyond the headlights, tail

> lights, etc. I have converted to a higher-amperage generator (50s

> era Hudson unit) so it's no problem for me.

>

> So the question is....anyone else interested in ordering one from the

> online supplier? I will aggregate orders, and then reship to each

> user if you wish.

>

> Alternatively, since this is a possibly wacky idea, maybe I should

> order one valve, install it, and test drive to make sure it functions

> as intended -- that is, that it actually stays in the "open" position

> whenever the ignition is turned on.

>

> Let me know what you think.

>

> Lew

>

>

> PS: if you happen to inadvertently drain your vacuum tank, I have

> found that it's pretty easy to refill as follows:

>

> 1. Procure a funnel with a flexible plastic hose on the end. I use

> one from Pep Boys that has a shutoff capability built into the funnel

> itself, which is very nice, because you can pour a pint or so of gas

> into it, position the tube, and THEN start the gas flow, at a very

> controlled rate by only slightly opening the funnel valve..

>

> 2. procure an extra brass fitting, identical to the fitting that

> attaches your gas feed line from the gas tank into the vacuum tank

> (mine is a brass fitting for copper flare style coupling).

>

> 3. Remove the line leading from the tank where it connects to the

> vacuum tank.

>

> 4. screw on the identical brass fitting, "bare,"

>

> 5. Fill the funnel with gas; presss-fit the plastic hose onto the

> tapered end of the brass flare fitting, and open the valve on the

> funnel. (The vacuum tank will take about a quart of gas, and it's a

> good idea to pretty much fill it up with this process, to ensure that

> there's enough gas to refill the carb, the line running to the carb,

> and leave enough in the vacuum tank to allow it to function.)

>

> 6. Remove the extra fitting, replace the connection to the gas tank,

> and start the car.

>

>

> Lew

>

>

>

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