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71 442 Starting Problem - Fuel Tank?


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I am having a starting problem on my 71 442. It has a 455 engine and this has happened to me once before. I know (I think) that it is a fuel problem. The engine dies and just turns over and over and won't even try to catch. If I spray starter fluid in carb, it sputters like it wants to start then just goes back to turning over. I removed the gas line between the inline filter (filter one month old) and fuel pump and turned the engine over - no gas.

I figured, maybe out of gas even thought the guage read 3/4 full. I added gas from a can and did get it started after a few more tries with starter fluid. I drove directly to the gas station and was only able to add about 5 gallons. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Bad gas maybe? So I added a couple of bottles of Heat and everything seems fine for awhile.

Same tank of gas and get down to about 1/2 full and I'm idling in my driveway and it dies again. No gas getting to carb.

Now for the question - could a mechanical fuel pump have intermitent problems? or is there a filter of some sort in the fuel tank itself that could be clogged? where could I find this filter? or any other ideas?

Thank you for any help or suggestions.

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It sounds like a "sock" problem to me....drop the tank and remove the sending unit. I have always used a brass drift to loosen the color to avoid any chance of a spark. The sending unit has a sock filter on the bottom pick-up. Replace it, it is cheap. Flush out the tank and inspect. Make sure you do not have a huge rust problem on the bottom...good luck.

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I think I would check the gas flow at the pump before dropping the tank although, that's what it sounds like. Why not disconnect the fuel line on the tank side of the fuel pump with the rear end elevated. If gas flows easily to out of the line, then the problem may be in the pump or even the gas filter. If not, then I, too suspect trash in the tank/line. The filter is a cheap easy fix, do it regardless if not already done. I got away from the little paper ones GM used on their Quads and went to a big metal inline one. Easy to replace. If gas flows evenly with no problems, hook it back up, disconnect the carb side of the fuel line (line going from pump to carb) disable the engine and crank. See if gas is pumping as it should. This is easier to do with the plugs out and your engine will rev higher. If fuel is pumping fine then it sounds like it's in the carb.

I don't know about where you live, but we've had a lot of rain. The little paper element gas filters used in Quads hate water and even a little bit will cause them to clog up.

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Thanks for the suggestions guys. Sounds like a project for this weekend. I've never dropped a gas tank before but it shouldn't be too hard, right? Tips and advice are always appreciated.

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Easy project, that is made easier with low fuel in the tank! A full tank is a little bit of a hand full. Not sure what you will use to get the car in the air but be careful. You will undo the two strap boltsand slide the tank backwards being careful not to damage the neck. When you lower the tank a short distance you will be able to disconnect the attchments to the sending unit. This is brief but i think you will not find this a hard job. If the tank is 1/2 or more full make sure you have proper support for it. Also, you will see the color that needs to be spun in order to remove the sending unit, use a brass drift or piece of hardwood. Good luck

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I wasn't able to drop the tank this weekend between errands with the wife and kid and rain but I did crawl under there with a light and look around. It looks like from what I could see that there are about 4-6 lines going into/out of the tank. One on each side, 4 in the middle. Am I seeing things correctly? Will these be hard to disconnect once the straps are undone. It doesn't look like there is much if any slack on these lines. Can you enlighten me?

Am i making this harder than it really is?

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