My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Hey folks,
I had my 35 out on the road last week and it was running fine though this was only the second time I had it out on the road for more than 20 miles.

I was doing about 45 mph when it acted like it was running out of gas. The engine sputtered and quit. I was able to roll off the road but was not able to get it to start again. I'd get a little sputter, but it would not run. I could see gas in the glass bowl feeding the fuel pump. My gas gauge showed more than a half a tank of gas. I got it towed home.

Now that it is home I finally got around to looking into the problem. I was thinking it might be the fuel pump.

The 35 started and ran fine for about 4 minutes then sputtered again like it ran out of gas. While it was running I noticed what I would call air being injected into the glass bulb. Maybe every 3 seconds or so. It did not appear to change with a change in the idle speed. I never noticed this before and I am wondering if it is normal or an indication of my problem.

I tried to upload a video but the upload attempt fails. Alternatively I put the 11 sec video on youtube. The sound is terrible, but you can see the behavior I am seeing.

https://youtu.be/sk_y4KU-NdA

Anyone have a suggestion / comment?

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

On the one hand an easy test is to see if loosening or removing the gas cap makes a difference.

The air being sucked in might indicate a leak in the fuel feed pipe. it is sucking air in rather than fuel.

I had a cracked fuel line on my T-Bird, near the tank, up high. I saw air being sucked in like that and it stopped running.

Have a look in those areas.

Mart.

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Suspect the gasket on the "glass bulb" on the fuel pump. Ideally, it is a cork gasket. Also, the coil or condenser should be held suspect....

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Most fuel problems are electrical. Check the coil and condenser.

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

All great suggestions so far. Also check gasket on fuel pump top cap. Sometimes they shrink cap sits on fitting boss allowing to suck air. File cap for fitting boss clearance. Or use thick/two gaskets.

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

My 35 coupe suffered fuel vapourising because the original routing of the fuel line ran very near the exhaust. The gas coming into the fuel pump should be cold, on a summer day mine was lukewarm. Rerouted the fuel line, problem solved.

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

It might be the fuel pump itself. The inner diaphragm might be sucking air
and blowing back into the glass bowl. Just I thought

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Hi Everyone. Excellent thoughts.

Rich, The flex hose from firewall/hardline to fuel pump inlet is a possible air source and isn't as difficult/expensive to exchange as some of the related bits. Is it old and brittle and kinked?

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Awhile back I too was tooling down the highway in my 35 coupe when it sputtered and shot craps on the side of the road. Had to summon my trailer and and tow it home. This is what I found to be the problem.

http://www.vettemod.com/forum/imageh...442c4817d2.jpg

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

"This" means what? Whose comment are you alluding to with the "this" comment?

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Thought mine was fuel but like you said, it turned out to be the coil on two different engines.

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Thanks for the suggestions folks, I have some checking to do.

I do have a short rubber fuel line just prior to the glass bowl. The hose clamps were not tight. I tighten them up but could not get the car started again. So I don't yet know if that was where air was coming from.

Initially I did not think it was the coil or condenser, but based on repeated comments I will look into those items.

Which makes me think, sucking a little air from one of the suggested areas, would not cause the car to stop running, would it?? I mean there is still gas in the glass bowl (so I would think there will be gas in the carb?). If that is the case, the condenser and coil failing to generate a spark is a more likely cause to my stall.

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

"This" means check the condenser, It can be a problem!. As to who it was alluding to, was the OP....... as well as yours! :rolleyes:

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Hi Rich, That fuel pump with a glass bowl is certainly nice, and I've used them with success, but the real deal for '35 has no glass bowl/filter between the hard line on the cowl and the fuel pump inlet. The original hose didn't have hose clamps either. In my experience this fuel hose is either easy as pie or hard as nails to get on/off without leaks. Hope you have pie! But thinking maybe someone before you had nails.

See an example of the designed operation here with maximum appreciation to VanPeltSales.com for hosting the diagram!

Keep hunting the air leak (if you've got one) is my bet right now. That is, as long as you're not on the track of a spark issue which is just as possible.

The perished gasket on the glass bowl is another prime suspect for sucking air. petehoovie threw that out in post #3. I got some pump top gaskets (Tony-KiWinUS nailed that one), and glass bowl gaskets from CharlieNY, if I recall correctly.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1606780354

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

If you "have a short rubber fuel line just prior to the glass bowl" and "the hose clamps were not tight", you don't have the proper flex hose. Do yourself a favor and get the proper part. Even if this is not the problem, you will be glad you did.

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

After it does it again, spray some carburetor cleaner or dribble some gas down the carb and see if it refires. If it does you know it's a fuel problem.

Re: My 1935 Convertible Sedan died on the road
 

Folks,
Great suggestions. I'm away from the Ford right now but I will follow up and report back once I am back with the Ford.

Thanks for the posts.