Fuel tank

[ZwolleY]

I got the chokes adjusted thanks to help found here and some from my repair manual but--. The car sat for about 1 1/2 years with a partly filled tank. Got the car running and had carbs cleaned out about 4 months ago. But once in awhile the car just stops dead. Turns over fine but won't go. Sometimes it will start after sitting a few hours but this time no go. I put some water remover in. I believe that scale from the tank is fouling the jets, or what ever. If this is the case, how does this stuff get by the fuel filter? Is there an easy way to clear this stuff from the carb and get the car running. Long term do I need a new tank or can they be cleaned? 1972 with SU's.

[carguyinok]

Yes they can be (cleaned). I have never done this. There are shops that can clean then seal the inside of your tank. I know there are do it yourself kits out there for sealing. But without the tank getting cleaned first I cant see it working well.

I am sure there are others here that have done this and will tell you more.

How this gets past the filter. The fuel filter can only filter out so much. Small parts of "tank sh!! " pass then bulid up over time. Then things get pluged up. You can buy better "finer" inline filters that will slow it down. But fixed & slowed down are not the same.

P.S. I would run new fuel lines at the same time.

[ZwolleY]

I replaced the fuel filter, changed the fuel pump and checked fuel level in the tank. Fuel is not getting to the filter with either pump. On the pump subject. One of the pumps is much newer. It has plenty of resistance when I move the lever and has a strong sucking sound. The one I put on has much less resistance and moves in two stages, easy first and then more difficult. It also does not have the strong sucking sound the other has. What does this indicate-the difference in action? Does the lack of fuel to the filter indicate that the screen in the tank is plugged? Again, the car sat for about 1 1/2 years.

[Dave Sommers]

Sounds like you have got some form of junk - probably rust - blocking the fuel line or pick up tube in the tank. You must also check to make sure there is not another filter or electric pump back near the tank that has quit or plugged up. Simple test of pump is to run fuel line into portable gas tank (like you use to fuel your lawn mower) and see if the car will run from this source.

In late 72/73 there was another electric pump added on a bracket just in front of the tank on some cars. This pump had a filter built in that could clogg and cause this problem. Check to see that you don't have this simple problem.

If no extra filter or pump there, disconnect the line at the filter and blow compressed air back down the line and clear the junk. It may run after that (for a while). If tank is rusty or junked up, drop the tank and have it cleaned out and then resealed. You can do this yourself if you want as the chemicals to do the job are available. Eastwood sells tank kits as do others.

Good luck

[ZwolleY]

Dave==those are great ideas. I really do not know if there is another pump or filter near the gas tank. And I will try the compressed air. Thanks