54 hornet starting woes

harry54
harry54 Senior Contributor
edited November -1 in HUDSON
My 54 Hollywood has been stitting for 2 yrs... I finally got around to starting it and troubles..... let me give you the givens..

1. 2yr old gas

2. just put in points ,condenser , cap and rotor . all set...

3. the gas in the fuel bowl is brown ... and I know that i need to flush..

4. I had it running 2 wks ago when i put in the new ignition stuff. I also got the car timed and running nice for about 10 mins and then conked out.

5. yesturday, all i could get is the car to run on starting fluid.... it runs undtil the starting fluid has burned up...

6. The fuel pump is 2yrs old...



How should i proceed ?? Thanks

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I Am Not One Of The Experts, But I Would Try Putting A Hose To The Fuel Pump And Into A Gas Can, See If It Runs With Diff. Gas.
  • Jon B
    Jon B Administrator
    From what you say, it seems rather obvious that the fuel itself, or the fuel delivery system, is at fault.



    Do you have a fuel filter in-line, between the tank and the fuel pump? If it's one of those clear types, you can check its contents; if not, maybe you could remove it and blow it out (careful, here!). The engine may run fine til whatever gunk is in the gas, clogs up the work. Then it dies.



    I'd drain the tank, put in fresh fuel, and replace (or install, if there's none in there) the in-line fuel filter, for starters.
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    i have an inline filter with the glass bowl. I pulled out the filter and i just left the the glass bowl.... the filter was gunked up...
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Do you use Stabilizer in your tank when you let it sit? if not never start a car on old gas that stuff turns to varnish. Same thing happened to a friend. Started up on old gas car conked out. Gummed up with old gas.
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    i'm guessing that 's the problem.... unfortunatly , tank was full when parked.... so can i just syphon out half ? and fill with new ??
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    harry54 wrote:
    i'm guessing that 's the problem.... unfortunatly , tank was full when parked.... so can i just syphon out half ? and fill with new ??





    If you are going to syphon 1/2, make the effort to get all of the gas you can out of the tank. Gas in the tank begins to fail in weeks so, it will cause problems for you. Along with replaceing the gas... assure all filters are replaced and as suggested check the fuel pump is pumping correctly. You can do this by disconnecting the line to the carburators and focusing the fuel line into a catch can. The carburators will possibly be victimized by the gas varnishing too. If after the replacement of the gas, filters and confirmation of a good pump the car still fails to run... I would be taking the carb apart for an inspection and cleaning.



    My experience with carburators suggests you could have failed accelerator pumps. Check the flow with engine off and the knowledge that gas has filled the carb bowl. If working properly you should see a healthy spray of gas into the throat of the carb when ever the linkaage is pulled full throttle.



    Good Luck :)
  • harry54
    harry54 Senior Contributor
    thanks... I'll give it a try....
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Drain the tank completely of old gas, disconnect the line to your carb pump out the old gas, fill with new, you should be fine.
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Wildwasp has it pretty much nailed. Modern day gas is only good for about 90 days (gas with 2-cycle oil mixed in only lasts 3-4 days). After that time period, it's best to get rid of the old gas, clean out the system, possibly re-build carbs and pump. Best to just temporarily by-pass the tank and run a hose off of the pump into a fresh can of gas and see if she'll run. If so, great, you know what to do . . . if not, then carbs need attention.



    Keep in mind, Sta-Bil is good for about 6 months or so . . . you just add it to your tank if you know she'll be sitting for a while.



    Also keep in mind, I know of several Hudnuts that don't drive their cars at all, or at least for several years in between drivings. All they do, is drain all the gas, let it run till the carbs run out and disconnect the batteries. Some even put it up on jackstands to keep the tires from getting flat spots.



    When it's time to take the old gal out, it's put fresh gas in and hook up the battery, and voila' . . . another Hudson on the road.:)
  • RL Chilton
    RL Chilton Administrator, Member
    Wildwasp has it pretty much nailed. Modern day gas is only good for about 90 days (gas with 2-cycle oil mixed in only lasts 3-4 days). After that time period, it's best to get rid of the old gas, clean out the system, possibly re-build carbs and pump. Best to just temporarily by-pass the tank and run a hose off of the pump into a fresh can of gas and see if she'll run. If so, great, you know what to do . . . if not, then carbs need attention.



    Keep in mind, Sta-Bil is good for about 6 months or so . . . you just add it to your tank if you know she'll be sitting for a while.



    Also keep in mind, I know of several Hudnuts that don't drive their cars at all, or at least for several years in between drivings. All they do, is drain all the gas, let it run till the carbs run out and disconnect the batteries. Some even put it up on jackstands to keep the tires from getting flat spots.



    When it's time to take the old gal out, it's put fresh gas in and hook up the battery, and voila' . . . another Hudson on the road.:)
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