stepdown dies when going up a hill

[Deleted User]

I have a 53 HH with twin-H carbs. We live at an altitude of 3400 feet. Our house is about 900 feet above level ground. When going up a crooked hill (two sharp curves) to my house from the level ground, at about 30 seconds into the climb (and attaining an altitude change of approximately 350-400 feet), my Hudson will die. I first thought that it might be vapor lock so I insulated all of the fuel lines. This did not help.



Fortunately I also have an electric pump that I only use to prime the carbs (I use the mechanical pump at all other times). After the car stalled, it would not start again so I turned on the electric pump and you could hear it working to bring gas to the carbs. The car then immediately started.



Could I have a problem with the float level or could it be something else. It would seem strange that the float level would be off in both carbs (I would think that at least one carb would have enough gas in the bowl to make it up the hill. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.



It should be pointed out that the car seems to behave normally on a flat surface and that this problem idoes not occur all of the time (sometimes it makes it up the hill and sometimes it doesn't).

Clutchguy

JimC1 wrote:

I have a 53 HH with twin-H carbs. We live at an altitude of 3400 feet. Our house is about 900 feet above level ground. When going up a crooked hill (two sharp curves) to my house from the level ground, at about 30 seconds into the climb (and attaining an altitude change of approximately 350-400 feet), my Hudson will die. I first thought that it might be vapor lock so I insulated all of the fuel lines. This did not help.



Fortunately I also have an electric pump that I only use to prime the carbs (I use the mechanical pump at all other times). After the car stalled, it would not start again so I turned on the electric pump and you could hear it working to bring gas to the carbs. The car then immediately started.



Could I have a problem with the float level or could it be something else. It would seem strange that the float level would be off in both carbs (I would think that at least one carb would have enough gas in the bowl to make it up the hill. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.



It should be pointed out that the car seems to behave normally on a flat surface and that this problem idoes not occur all of the time (sometimes it makes it up the hill and sometimes it doesn't).

Well,this is only a guess,but here it goes.First,how much fuel is in the tank?.If the tank is 1/2 full or more,it is probably shutting off the vent and it cannot draw fuel normally.My parents were in their 54 Hornet convertible in 1972 at the Colorado Springs National,and went to Pikes Peak while they were out there.Dad wanted to make sure the tank had plenty of fuel,so he filled up.This caused the car to stop running because of no vent and could not draw fuel.I guess my Mom was petrifided when he was forced to turn it around on the narrow path!!!Looking over the mountain at what was down below.He later found that if he would have just taken the gas cap off,they would have been able to continue.Only a guess,but might be worth a try.

Unknown

I was thinking tank ventilation, or sediment in the tank.

Unknown

Or maybe the pickup tube in the tank is rusted off slightly or has some holes in it.

[Deleted User]

The tank has been professionally cleaned and renewed inside and out by Gas Tank Renu and when this happens I usually have about 1/2 to 3/4 of a tank of fuel.

J Spencer

JimC1 wrote:

The tank has been professionally cleaned and renewed inside and out by Gas Tank Renu and when this happens I usually have about 1/2 to 3/4 of a tank of fuel.

Is it possible when the tank was cleaned ( I'm assuming a coating like POR15 was used) that it may have partially rrestricted the vent to the filler neck?



When I did my tank years ago I noticed that from sloshing the stuff around in the tank and after it had started to cure that the vent had the stuff over te opening at the tank. I used some long wire - I think a coat hanger- and worked it down the vent and blew it out with air. I have not experienced your problem, but I swear it doesn't fill up as easy as before. The pump keeps shutting off and a Have to 'work it' to get it filled all the way.



Good Luck



J Spencer

Unknown

J Spencer wrote:

Is it possible when the tank was cleaned ( I'm assuming a coating like POR15 was used) that it may have partially rrestricted the vent to the filler neck?



When I did my tank years ago I noticed that from sloshing the stuff around in the tank and after it had started to cure that the vent had the stuff over te opening at the tank. I used some long wire - I think a coat hanger- and worked it down the vent and blew it out with air. I have not experienced your problem, but I swear it doesn't fill up as easy as before. The pump keeps shutting off and a Have to 'work it' to get it filled all the way.



Good Luck



J Spencer

Mine fills this way as well. I used the eastwood kit to redo my tank, and you can get about 10 gallons in, slowly, at a time.



I just live with it.



Whatever you do, don't try to run a wire down the vent tube, if it has or ha gas in it. you can create a spark, and well, we know what can happen there....

junkcarfann

Actually, the gas vapors can ignite whether or not there is gas in the tank. Therefore, not having gas in the tank while you poke a wire in it is still not safe. The tank must be removed, and filled with water to purge the fumes before doing any work.

[Deleted User]

Walt here. Check to see if the rubber connection that connects the tank vent to the filler tube vent is sucked together. Replace it. That is what causes slow fill ups. Another thing, do not use a modern filler cap, they have no vent system.