Fuel Sending Unit

[Michael Cole]

Hi all:

The other night I took my 69 out for a ride. About two miles down the road I came to a stop sign and the car started to stall. I went about 100 yards and it fially died. I looked at my fuel filter and it was bone dry. I assumed my fuel pump was bad and I would need a tow home. I waited about 10 minutes and the car started up and I made it home with no further problem. I thought maybe I had vapor lock though this had never happened before. Upon further examination I found out this had happened once before to the old owner, it had never happened to me in the three years I had the car. DO you think it could be the fuel sending unit? Any suggestions.

Mike

[Mike M.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit

no, its not the sending unit unless its giving you inaccurate readings and the car was out of gas but since it restarted and got you home, unlikely that you are getting improper readings.lots of possibilities: clogged fuel filter would be my first fix. then look into carb problems. ingnition problems also a posibility.attack each suspicious area, drive the old girl(not too far fromhome) then re-evaluate . good luck, mike

[Wayne P.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit

The sock on the fuel pick-up could be almost plugged. Not too unusual.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit

Mike-----

I don't know exactly what you mean by "..looked at my fuel filter..". 1969's don't have a fuel filter that you can observe the fuel. Do you have an aftermarket, add-on glass bowl filter?

In any event, if the problem is, actually, a fuel delivery problem and not something else, I would check the rubber fuel lines located from the fuel pick-up/sender to the frame fuel line and from the fraame line to the fuel pump. Either of these, if old and worn or of improper replacement type, may be collapsing and cutting off fuel under certain conditions. After sitting for awhile, the collapsed line might "decompress" just enough to allow fuel to get through again.

These lines should be replaced from time-to-time. I use very high quality, 3/8"ID, Viton fuel injection hose when I replace mine.

[Bill W.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit

I agree I would check the sock first ,then the rubber hose from the tank to the steel hose, & last the filter in the carb. my first guess would be the sock , if it is plugged the pump can suck the rubber hose closed. Bill

[Michael Cole]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit

Joe:
I have an after market glass bowl filter. I have no sock on tube in the gas tank either. I have my suspicions about the rubber fuel lines and I am replacing. Hopefully this will cure my problem. Thank you all for responding.

Mike

[John H.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit

You may want to reconsider having the aftermarket glass fuel filter, especially if it's between the fuel pump and the carb (under pressure) and uses rubber hose and clamps where it's cut into the steel fuel line; these things are a fire waiting to start. I'd put a new sock on the pickup pipe too - they just push on the pipe.