[NoVa-Corvairs] August Meeting and Work Completed

Sun Aug 19 20:12:08 EDT 2012

Justin,

I have been following your message on what appears to be your fuel problem. 
By way of introduction, I am a charter member of Northern VA Corvair Club. 
I have not been very active in the club in the last few years due to health 
problems that seem to be improving.  I have had several corvairs,  all 1965, 
1967 and 1969.  I have not done much on model years before 1965.  I suspect 
the fuel system for the earlier models and the late models are quite 
similar.  I have had experience with fuel problems on vehicles that have 
been stored for years without much activity.  On problem I have found begins 
with the sock type filter located at the inlet to the fuel line inside the 
fuel tank.  This filter tends to become coated with a layer of shellac that 
limits or prevents fuel from entering the fuel line inside the tank.  I have 
had varying degrees at solving this problem.  The sure fire method is to 
remove the plate on the tank holding the fuel gauge sender and gas line and 
clear or replace the filter.   Before attempting any replacement of parts I 
would recommend you run a few diagnostic tests to determine the source of 
the problem.  Gasoline is a very dangerous material, and if you are not 
familiar with working with it you should rely on someone who is experienced 
to assist you.You can check the to see if the filter inside the tank is 
clogged by disconnecting the fuel line at the input to the fuel pump, 
attaching a hand vacuum pump to the line coming from the tank,and see if 
fuel flows freely.  If the fuel flows freely, you know the problem is not 
between the fuel pump and the tank.  If the pump produces a vacuum but 
little or no fuel you know there is most likely a blockage inside the tank. 
If the pump does not develop a vacuum, and does not produce fuel, you may: 
(1) have hole in the metal or rubber sections of the fuel line;(2) the fuel 
line inside the tank may have a leak above the fuel level; (3) sediment has 
built up inside the tank, and the fuel level is not high enough to be picked 
up (this is highly unlikely); (4) the rotating mechanism has siezed and does 
not drop down to a level where the fuel can be picked up (if the vehicle was 
parked with a substantial amount of fuel for a long period this may occur, 
but again is unlikely.

If the problem is not inside the tank or the line from the tank to the fuel 
pump, you can reconnect the input to the pump, and disconnect one of the 
lines going from the fuel pump to the carburetor.  If there is no fuel or 
very little fuel when you disconnect the fuel line the fuel pump is probably 
defective.  You can further check the pump by attaching a flexible hose to 
the open end of the fuel line and cranking the engine.  Again, be careful to 
follow safe practices for handling gasoline while doing this test. 
Typically this is done in an open area where a spark can not ignite vapors. 
The discharge end of the flexible hose typically is inserted into a stable 
container that will catch the fuel if the fuel pump is working.  If there is 
not fuel, this is a pretty sure sign that the fuel pump is defective.  Care 
should be exercised when changing the pump.  The pump handle should not be 
operated by hand since some pumps can be damaged by overextending the 
diaphragm and causing a leak.  Some corvair pumps will develop a leak which 
allows fuel to go directly into the crank case.  Several years ago one of my 
son's  had a low grade explosion in the crank case from this type of leak.

If fuel is getting to the carbs, then your problem is probably due to the 
carbs.

There are a few procedures that may be used to open up a clogged filter 
inside the tank without removing the tank.  One that I used with some 
success was to disconnect the fuel line between the tank and pump and inject 
acetone into the line.  I would only recommend this as an extreme measure 
since it also can be dangerous, and can harm some components in the system 
if the acetone is not flushed from the system fairly quickly, and before 
reconnecting to the fuel pump.

If you are not experienced at working with automotive fuel systems, be sure 
to get someone who is to assist you, because it can be very dangerous if not 
done under proper conditions and with proper equipment.

Good luck.

James Wallen

-----Original Message----- 
From: Justin Paul
Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2012 8:52 PM
To: Northern Va Corvair Club
Subject: Re: [NoVa-Corvairs] August Meeting and Work Completed

I actually dumped two gallons in, nada. The jets are not squirting?!

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 18, 2012, at 8:42 PM, Darrin Hartzler <dhartzler at ifc.org> wrote:

> Justin,
>
> The car should idle fie even if the pumps are not working.  I really think 
> that the car is just out of gas right now.  Dump a couple gallons in and 
> see if she will run.
>
> Accelerator pumps should work, as they are intact, just stiff.
>
> Darrin
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Justin Paul [jp0181 at yahoo.com]
> Sent: 08/18/2012 08:11 PM AST
> To: Northern Va Corvair Club <novacc-list at corvair.org>
> Cc: Northern Va Corvair Club <novacc-list at corvair.org>
> Subject: Re: [NoVa-Corvairs] August Meeting and Work Completed
>
>
>
> I'm pretty anxious to resolve this issue i would be willing to pay anyone 
> with the carb and fuel knowledge $14 for the two accelerator pumps and $40 
> or so to help resolve the fuel issue and install the pumps.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 18, 2012, at 7:30 PM, justin smalley <jp0181 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Thank you all for those of you who did show up and to Ron for his off 
>> hours help.I really appreciated it! My carbs were cleaned thoroughly, 
>> battery connections changed out, timing set and the comrady!
>> Unfortunately the car made it down the road and was starving for fuel and 
>> Greg believes my accelerator pumps are bad or weak.
>> The carbs are not squirting and that seriously sucks, but my car looks 
>> good!I know we all can't meet up all the time, but I am really trying to 
>> resolve these initial issues so I can drive this car away from home to 
>> repair the loud exhaust and etc.
>> If any of you have 2 accelerator pumps I would gladly pay you for them, 
>> asap.
>> I may have someone who may help me put them in, but haven't secured that 
>> as a resource yet.
>> As always I know we are all busy, but we were so close today. Sucks when 
>> you have a beauty of a car just sitting, lol.
>> I have some time tomorrow anyone not busy and want some gas money to come 
>> out a help a partner?!
>> Enjoy your weekend!!!
>> v/r
>> Justin
>>
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