50 Packard fuel problem

[Guest]

I have a 50 Packard Super 8 and have not been able to draw fuel through the fuel line from the tank. unhooked the line and still couldn't draw from the tank. Removed the tank and could not push mechanics wire through the tube more than 14 inches. I aquired another tank and have the same problem. there dosn't appear to be any blockage in the tank. I have soaked the line with carb cleaner and this hasn't helped. I am lost on what to do?

[ply33]

Have you considered replacing the fuel line from the tank to the pump? I can be tough on some cars but if it needs to be done...<P>If, as it sounds, the steel fuel line has corroded enough to have problems, then I'd take a real hard look at the other lines running along the chassis. Are your brake lines in any better shape?

[Guest Albert]

Try blowing the line out (With out the gas cap on!), I just checked my 54 Packard Gas tank and I can only go in about 4 in , have you removed the fuel sender and checked for gas tank sealer around the pickup tube?

[Guest stude8]

My experience with fuel problems turned out to be the short (4") segment of rubber hose from the tank outlet to metal pipe(1963 Stude). The modern gas-a-hol fuel chemistry had "Eaten" up the rubber to form viscous goo that congealed in many spots between the tank and fuel pump. Disconnect the line at the tank and blow back from engine end with 100PSI air. Catch the outlet in a pan and see what gook comes out. If it turns out to not be plugged (Most likely) look for minute holes in the metal pipe. The fuel pump can't pump air and a puncture or rust through will cause it to simply do nothing. Oh yes, be sure to use only modern SAE alcohol fuel compatible rubber hoses. That includes the fuel pump diaphragm. Stude8

[Guest]

Thanks for the information.the problem was the pickup tube inside the tank. it was plugged the last three inches of the tube. I cut a hole in the top of the tank and removed the tube and had to heat the end of it to remove all the deposits in the end. was the only way to remove the deposit. welded the hole shut and the tank works fine. Thanks.

[Guest]

i'm not real familiar with the '50 but my gues is that its very similar ot yhre 55 and 56's. the line inside of the tankk opend very close to the tanks bottom and sometimes gets bent down agianst the bottom thereby blocking off the end of the picup tube. Remove the sending unit or some other access holse and look inside. Bend the picup tube up if needed........

[Guest]

....if the tube is clogged take a piece of 3/32 or maybe 1/8 stranded cable and chuck one end in a drill motor and glide it into the tube from the outside. U mite have to place varying lenghts of hose or tubing over the cable to act as a hand guide. I did this yesterday and unclogged a very tightly carbon packed vacuum tap on an intake manifold and did not need to use a hand guide tube on it even tho there was about 10 inches of cable. (yeah, sunday afternoon i really didnt have anything else better to do). u can figure on about clearing 1 inch for each 2 minutes of continuous running of the drill motor.