61 fuel related problems

[paul harrington]

My stock appearing 61 vette has a 383 stroker engine in it. I am having a fuel delivery problem. It has an aftermarket electric fuel pump located on a bracket near where a mechanical pump would be. My fuel pressure just went from 5lbs to near 0 and the car is hesitating. I changed the fuel pump.(Another electric fuel pump) The fuel pressure went up to 5 lbs then back to near 0. Am I picking up debris from my old, original gas tank? Should the fuel pump be located closer to the tank? I have purchased a new quanta gas tank with new strainer,vent hose and filler hose. Does it sound like I am on the right track. Any mechanical wizards out there? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Member # 34948

[Richard T.]

Re: 61 fuel related problems

Paul,
Electric fuel pumps should be mounted as close to the tank as possible as they push fuel better than pull it. Rich #2276

[Richard T.]

Re: 61 fuel related problems

Paul,
Electric fuel pumps should be mounted as close to the tank as possible as they push fuel better than pull it. Rich #2276

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 61 fuel related problems

Your fuel pump should be located near the tank. My driver uses an AC fuel pump mounted to the frame just below the gas tank. (great for burglar proofing). In addition I use an ORIGINAL 4656 fuel pump (working) on the engine. I've never had any problems.

How do you keep a 383 cool in a 1961?

Dale.

[Dale Pearman]

Re: 61 fuel related problems

Your fuel pump should be located near the tank. My driver uses an AC fuel pump mounted to the frame just below the gas tank. (great for burglar proofing). In addition I use an ORIGINAL 4656 fuel pump (working) on the engine. I've never had any problems.

How do you keep a 383 cool in a 1961?

Dale.

[paul harrington]

Re: 61 fuel related problems

Thanks to the 2 responses I have received thus far on my fuel related problems with my 61. I am going to mount the fuel pump closer to the new gas tank. It did run well, however, for almost a year in its' present location.
As for keeping the 383 cool in a solid axle; I went with a Dewitt Aluminum radiator. It looks stock and performs better than stock. I was running 220 around town. With the Dewitt I'm running about 185 in the summer. The car is a lot more fun to drive than it was when the 283 was in it. (Non matching #s). It will be a lot more fun to drive if I ever get it running right again!!

[paul harrington]

Re: 61 fuel related problems

Thanks to the 2 responses I have received thus far on my fuel related problems with my 61. I am going to mount the fuel pump closer to the new gas tank. It did run well, however, for almost a year in its' present location.
As for keeping the 383 cool in a solid axle; I went with a Dewitt Aluminum radiator. It looks stock and performs better than stock. I was running 220 around town. With the Dewitt I'm running about 185 in the summer. The car is a lot more fun to drive than it was when the 283 was in it. (Non matching #s). It will be a lot more fun to drive if I ever get it running right again!!

[andy#34338]

Paul, I run a 383/425 hp in a 61 also. SUPER!

Paul,

I run a 383 in my 61 also. The dyno was 425 hp and 387hp at 5000. I have no fuel issues with a stock fuel pump. I am running a new base model Holley 750. It sure sounds like your tank has gunk but you should be able to hear the pump motor trying to push if it is blocked. They run quiet when fuel is flowing but they can be loud when they are clogged.

I run a new dewitt rediator with electric fan, no belt drive fan. My motor runs 180 with no issues.

I bought a real neet 383 X flag air cleaner sticker from a guy in NC. If you want one let me know, I may have his email around still.

Don't you just love the 383. I also have a 1960 with a nice quiet 327 motor but I love driving the 383 around town. That thing will spin the axles right off of the car if I give it enough gas.

Andy

[andy#34338]

Paul, I run a 383/425 hp in a 61 also. SUPER!

Paul,

I run a 383 in my 61 also. The dyno was 425 hp and 387hp at 5000. I have no fuel issues with a stock fuel pump. I am running a new base model Holley 750. It sure sounds like your tank has gunk but you should be able to hear the pump motor trying to push if it is blocked. They run quiet when fuel is flowing but they can be loud when they are clogged.

I run a new dewitt rediator with electric fan, no belt drive fan. My motor runs 180 with no issues.

I bought a real neet 383 X flag air cleaner sticker from a guy in NC. If you want one let me know, I may have his email around still.

Don't you just love the 383. I also have a 1960 with a nice quiet 327 motor but I love driving the 383 around town. That thing will spin the axles right off of the car if I give it enough gas.

Andy

[Paul Harrington]

Re: Paul, I run a 383/425 hp in a 61 also. SUPER!

Andy thanks for your response to my fuel problems. The 383 is a blast to drive. The low end torque is unreal. I had to have a custom 2 1/2" exhaust built to handle it. I still run a clutch fan (no electric fan) and a 160 thermostat and use water wetter additive in the anti freeze. I have a 308 rear end which makes the car livable on the highway. It makes so much torque I don't need 411's.
I would be very interested in the crossed flags/383 air cleaner sticker. I canabalized a 66 427 sticker using the flags only and a 383 sticker from a mopar. It doesn't look bad but yours sounds better. I just freshened up my brakes and tires so I don't get killed in this car!!

Paul Harrington

[Paul Harrington]

Re: Paul, I run a 383/425 hp in a 61 also. SUPER!

Andy thanks for your response to my fuel problems. The 383 is a blast to drive. The low end torque is unreal. I had to have a custom 2 1/2" exhaust built to handle it. I still run a clutch fan (no electric fan) and a 160 thermostat and use water wetter additive in the anti freeze. I have a 308 rear end which makes the car livable on the highway. It makes so much torque I don't need 411's.
I would be very interested in the crossed flags/383 air cleaner sticker. I canabalized a 66 427 sticker using the flags only and a 383 sticker from a mopar. It doesn't look bad but yours sounds better. I just freshened up my brakes and tires so I don't get killed in this car!!

Paul Harrington