I've got a 64 Econoline van with a 170 straight six. I've had some problems with the carb boiling fuel. It seems to have started when I put some cheap gas in the van. Does anyone know a good quality gas without a bunch of ethanol and other crap in it? I've read that cheap gas can boil easier..is that true? Also, I have a 1/2" aluminum carb spacer and a rebuilt carb. I used to have boiling problems in the past until i put the carb spacer on. Now it's boiling again. I can't help but think that it is the gas. I'm going to drain the tank and put some fresh gas in it. I keep reading about heat risers getting stuck...what and where is the heat riser on a 1964 170 engine? How do I check it? Does anyone have any other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated!
I never had a problem with my 170 Econo. Is the engine running hot, too? Maybe try some of the tricks for fixing vapor lock - like isolating and insulating the fuel lines.
I don't know if the engine is getting too hot...I don't have a temp gauge hooked up...although I've never had it overheat. I will install a temp gauge and insulate the fuel lines...it can't hurt! What kind of gas do you run in your econo? What octane rating?
How would you know if you don't have a gauge hooked up? Until I pulled the 170, I ran 89 octane which was the cheapest they had. I drove it for about a year, summer and winter, and never had a problem... and I had a temp gauge and a leaking exhaust gasket, so it got pretty toasty in there.
I run the cheapest gas usually from arco but the good gas comes from shell or chevron for a bit more.
I had an econoline van, think it was a "62 model with a six. Had a weird problem after a valve job. The exhaust manafold would glow red. In that year Ford only had vacuum advance on the distributor and the increase in vacuum ruptured the diaphragm for the vacuum advance on the distributor. This resulted in timing advance. Didn't have a gas boiling problem with that problem just some information for the econoline owners.
Well, it may not be boiling after all. I think the float may be struck or something...thanks econovanman. I ran if for about 30 seconds and after I shut it off, gas starting pouring from around the carb. There is no way that it got that hot. Thanks for all of the suggestions! Now I need to check the float. I'll keep everyone posted.
**UPDATE** I took off the gas tank and found a broken gas cap inside the tank and a giant mouse nest on top of the tank covering the vent! It looks like the mouse even chewed through the vent hose. I know that the mouse nest is at least 20 years old because it was mostly made of SHAG CARPET! The tank was pretty clean, so I cleaned it out and put it back on. I also replaced all of the rubber hoses including the vent hose and filler hose. I also put in a new steel fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb. I also installed an inline filter before the fuel pump. I cleaned the carb, changed the oil and installed new plugs and put everything back together. I put some fresh gas and MMO in the tank and fired her up. She fired right up and i let it idle for about 20 minutes. Then I took it down the road and let the engine get nice and warm. She ran better than ever! NO CARB BOILING...NO GAS LEAKS...NOTHING!! The van used to spit and sputter when I would come to a stop...not anymore...she idled SMOOTH. I am soooo excited. I can actually drive my van! Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll try to post some pics of the mouse nest and broken gas cap.
I also started it right after I shut it down to see if the engine was getting flooded after shutdown...NOTHING! She fired right back up.
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