[R W Burgess]

Matt, I'll have to see what kind of float I have before answering your first question. Your seond question? I agree, I'd prefer the vacuum tank working. Everything is still there, but we'll use what we have first. If I get in a jam I'll call you.

Thanks!
Wayne

[carbking]

Wayne - haven't checked recently, but parts to rebuild vacuum tanks used to be available from the Antique Auto Parts Cellar in South Weymouth, MA.

Jon.

[R W Burgess]

Update, just spoke to John(carbking) who was a wealth of information. After thinking of what he told me. I took the float bowl of the carburetor apart. I found a cork float (surprise!), also noticed that the adjustment for the needle seat had backed out, which moved the float up. Retightened it. I'm now headed to the Tractor Supply store to see, if in fact, they do carburetor parts as an old friend of my suggested yesterday (I need some gasket material anyway, the carb was loose at the mounting points-makes for some nice vacuum leaks. )

Back in a bit...........

Wayne

[R W Burgess]

Lunch break update!

Car started and ran good for a while, no carb leaks. Then, I noticed it seemed to starve for gas. Increased regulator pressure, ran a little better, but still not good. An accessory oil pressure guage showed 35-40 pounds pressure, which is a good thing. Water temp went up and stabilized at around 160-170.

I finally got nerve enough to drive around the neighborhood, flat street first. After increasing pressure I got brave and drove it down the hill in my front street, 3 blocks, when it started to starve again, to the point that I had to give it a little choke. It finally sputtered to a stop. We're having fun now!

I can see Tom Larfferare ( sorry about the spelling, Tom! )laughing at me now..."Get brave Wayne!"

After messing with it a while I got it in the yard. The carb is starting to leak a little out of the float compartment again. At this point I'm thinking I might just hook up a line and pump all of the gas out this car, and start with fresh. If I'm having trouble so did the previous owner, as I could see new screws in the float top of the carb. The gas didn't smell bad, but I've got to start somewhere.

Wayne

[pfloro]

Hello Wayne:

I had the same type electric fuel pump & regulator installed in my '84 Olds Toronado (307 V8) and was NOT pleased with the results... The choices which the mechanics made at the body shop were poor (great body/paint work but poor mechanical work). One stop shopping was not a good idea...!

Even with the regulator (I use that term loosely!) set to '1', the QJet's float bowl would sometimes overflow. Although I didn't measure the pressure, it had to be enough to overcome the seating force of the needle & seat. I suspect that I had a way high fuel level in the bowl for months.

Then, after 6 months, the pump failed and left me stranded on the road. My trusted mechanical shop installed a Holley 'Little Red' electric pump which is internally regulated to 7 PSI. We removed that chrome dial type regulator (IMHO, piece of junk) and tossed it. It's been a year with the new setup and I've had NO trouble with my daily driver. Gary (my trusted mechanic) informed me that the original electric pump has a design (pulsing solenoid) which is prone to early failure (pump heats up & quits pumping).

My only complaint is that the Holley pump (being a rotary vane design) is a bit noisy. It can be heard inside the car while idling but once underway, road noise masks it.

If your pocketbook can stand it, I would opt for the proven Holley pump.
Holley Performance Products 97 GPH “RED” Electric Fuel Pump*12-801-1 However, this a 12V pump & your car is 6V...?

Keep us posted,

Paul

[DeSoto Frank]

Wayne,

If you have a 1/2 to 1 gallon gas tank from a lawn-mower, Gravely tractor, or such, tie that on to the radiator support struts, then run a gravity line down to your carb.

Once you get the vehicle running okay with that set-up, go back to your electric fuel-pump set-up. I wonder if that regulator is restricting volume too much when you have the pressure turned all the way down.

I would suggest putting a vacuum gauge on this beast and seeing what kind of vacuum the engine is pulling; if it starts-off good (17-21 in.) then slowly drops towards zero, that could be a clog in the exhaust system.

Vacuum gauge should also expose poor valve timing.

Late ignition timing usually causes the engine to run hot, and in some cases causes the exhaust manifold to get red-hot.

I'm VERY curious about any pre-Step-Down Hudson product producing more than 20 lbs oil pressure; these were splash/circulate motors, with the little plunger pump... I believe "normal" oil pressure was around 8-12 lbs @ 30 mph, engine warm.
( Was once told this was why Hudson -Essex pioneered the "idiot light" for oil pressure...)

[R W Burgess]

Frank, concerning the oil pressure gauge; It took a while for the oil to run up the tube to the inside gauge. You could follow it along as it pulsed its way up the clear tube. Anyway, one problem at a time here.


I'm going to dump this gas now and try some new stuff. "Watch out lawnmower, you're about to get a load!" Haven't given up on this pump yet.
I do appreciate the comments, though.
Wayne

[R W Burgess]

Found this link this evening from the Hudson web site, the top carb looks almost exactly like mine (I know, almost, doesn't get it).

1929 Hudson Carburetor Problems

Didn't get to draining my gas tank...first thing in the morning, promise.

Wayne

[R W Burgess]

Variable venturi! Does that scare anyone?
That's what a carb expert from North Carolina told me this morning. I was about to put the carb off for shipping this morning when I made a miraculous discovery!

Another Essex will be on the tour and after contacting the owner, he has offered to help me with my carb problems so my wife and I will be able to participate on the Vintage Tour. For all you non AACA members, this is the best reason in the world to become an AACA member and go touring. Can't wait!

I'm attaching a picture of our car. I will also put up my usual daily diary of the Vintage Tour next week. Stay tuned for the fun!

Wayne

[Bluesky636]

Well, so what was the cause/solution?