The Ford Barn

rbassemir · 03-04-2026, 01:34 PM

I have been fighting a situation that causes my 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan to stall (as if running out of gas) and fails to start back up until it has completely cooled off.

In the course of restoration a new tank was installed, new fuel pump was installed, new vented gas cap, new carburetor installed and fuel line has been blown out.

I finally resorted to reworking the fuel line from the pump to the carb and inserted a pressure gauge with some clear fuel line.

I ran the engine at a fast idle for about 9 minutes with no issue. So I increased the engine speed. The fuel pressure started to shake and eventually went to zero. I let the engine cool (but not completely) and it would not start. The pressure gauge still showed 0 psi. I could see gas movement in the clear fuel line, but never got high enough to reach the carb.

This morning I tried to start it again and it started. Fuel pressure was back to 3 psi.

My conclusion is the fuel pump fails when it gets hot. When there was zero fuel pressure my IR temp gauge read 180 on the fuel pump.

Has this happened to others? Is the "new" fuel pump defective? Would you recommend adding an electric fuel pump (if I can find one that delivers 3-6 psi and runs on 6 volts). ?

03-04-2026, 01:34 PM	#1
rbassemir Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 59	Failing fuel pump I have been fighting a situation that causes my 1935 Ford Convertible Sedan to stall (as if running out of gas) and fails to start back up until it has completely cooled off. In the course of restoration a new tank was installed, new fuel pump was installed, new vented gas cap, new carburetor installed and fuel line has been blown out. I finally resorted to reworking the fuel line from the pump to the carb and inserted a pressure gauge with some clear fuel line. I ran the engine at a fast idle for about 9 minutes with no issue. So I increased the engine speed. The fuel pressure started to shake and eventually went to zero. I let the engine cool (but not completely) and it would not start. The pressure gauge still showed 0 psi. I could see gas movement in the clear fuel line, but never got high enough to reach the carb. This morning I tried to start it again and it started. Fuel pressure was back to 3 psi. My conclusion is the fuel pump fails when it gets hot. When there was zero fuel pressure my IR temp gauge read 180 on the fuel pump. Has this happened to others? Is the "new" fuel pump defective? Would you recommend adding an electric fuel pump (if I can find one that delivers 3-6 psi and runs on 6 volts). ? __________________ Rich