1953 Buick Special losing power at higher speeds

Hi All, I was hoping to get some help troubleshooting my 53 Buick Special. When idling, and at lower speeds, the engine runs like a top, no misfires, plenty of power, but when I get into 3rd gear and get going faster than 45-50 mph, she acts like she's losing power (feels like she's starved for fuel) and I can barely limp her back to the house. Once I let her sit and idle, then she runs smooth again, until the next trip down the road.

My first instinct was that the carb was clogged up, so I tore it down, let it soak for a week, and rebuilt it yesterday. There is definitely more power and response after I did that, however, with the first trip down the road, I had the same problem come up again. This time around, she seems to recover alot quicker and idles smooth again.

My next would be to think that something is wrong with the fuel pump, that it can keep up with demand when idling and at lower speeds, but when I get going and need more fuel, the pump can't keep up and she starts starving for fuel. I'm thinking about ordering a rebuild kit, and tackling that next.

Any other ideas? I have had the gas tank cleaned and sealed and pressure tested, I've put in new plugs and wires, points and condensor.

Thanks for any ideas you could give!

 

is your gas tank/ cap vented?

 

How old is your fuel filter or how are your fuel lines?

 

sounds like a-plugged up muffler

 

Yes, the gas cap is vented, it's brand new, bought it last fall. I have the original reusable fuel filter on there still, but tonight I installed a clear inline filter in the line before the old one, and it's running clear fuel, so I don't think it's the fuel lines.

I did notice when I started the car for the first time with the new fuel filter on, it cranked for a little bit, and the filter stayed bone dry. It finally started pumping fuel into the new filter, and I left the car run for about 5 minutes, and there was never more than maybe 2 tablespoons in the filter...shouldn't the filter be full of fuel? Or at least halfway? I saw it pumping, it would pump maybe a teaspoons worth of fuel in, and when I hit the gas, the level would drop and seem to be really slow to fill back up again, not ever getting more than a couple tablespoons worth in the filter. That's kinda why I was thinking the fuel pump is the culprit.

Not sure on the muffler, it doesn't sound plugged up, and she's putting smoke out the exhaust (I think it's burning oil)...which I know I need to take a look at too...there's a long to-do list with this car Get one or two things done, and you can count on adding one or two more hehe

Thanks everyone, keep the suggestions coming! One other question, how hard is it to rebuild the fuel pump? This will be my first one...

 

Have you checked the fuel line from the tank to the pump? You might try disconnecting the line at the pump and lightly pressurizing the tank and see what flow results.

Rebuilding the pump is not difficult if you can obtain a repair kit. I think one thing to watch for is to have the diaphram depressed with the pump arm while tightening the housing screws.

Ray

 

Plugged fuel pick up in the tank? Try blowing a bit of compressed air down the fuel line with the gas cap off.

I've had this happen on several IH trucks in my day. It was a PITA to pull the senders, clean the tanks and replace the socks on the pick up.

 

I just put a kit in a guys 50 Ford 6. He bought the kit because he does this to all the cars he sells, and wanted to avoid the methanol problems.

The diaphram lasted less than 24 hours. It was spraying out the vent hole, same side as the exhaust.. Took it apart and it was swelled up and softer, but not melted. It must have been leaking in the center where it is riveted.

Came from a well known parts place....so, where can good kits be found?

 

No, I haven't checked the line from the tank to the pump yet, I'll do that in the next day or two, and let you know. Would it help to put in a clear in-line fuel filter somewhere in the line before the fuel pump, just to keep an eye on things from now on?

I've not messed with the fuel pick ups in the tank...When I got the car, there were pinholes in the bottom of the tank, so I took it to a local reputable shop and I did get the tank sealed, cleaned, and pressure tested last fall. I thought this would take care of it?

I've had good luck with Rockauto (although I don't think they have fuel pump rebuild kits). I've gotten good quality parts from oldbuickparts.com, there might be a sister company out there for Fords that you could google for. Another (although on the expensive side) good place to get parts from is Kanter. I'm sure they have fuel pump rebuild kits. I'm going to be looking for a rebuild kit this week myself sometime, so I'll let you know if I find anything else...oh and of course you could check with Napa, to see if they can order a kit for you...Good luck!

 

Hmmmm, was the sending unit left in the tank when it was sealed? Might be the sealing compound is plugging the end of the pickup tube partially?

 

Hmmmm...........so much for that idea I just assumed (we all know what that does) that quality kits were in the market. Ethanol blended gas has been around for several years now. One would think (assuming again!) that kits are being offered with modern materials compatible with modern fuels. Maybe some are and others are NOS, with the emphasis on the "O"!

Ray

 

I removed the sending unit before I took the tank to the shop...

 

My friend had his brand new tank sealed but eventually, the sealant started flaking off and plugging the pickup.

 

I ordered a fuel pump kit tonight from oldbuickparts.com, hopefully they have good quality parts, and I won't have the problems with it like the one you ordered, F&J. I'll let you all know how the rebuild goes. Thanks to everyone for their help and advice. HOPEFULLY this will take care of the problem. I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that this will get the old girl on the road

 

GassersGarage...the shop I took my tank to soldered/welded the pinholes in the bottom of the tank, gave it a chemical bath overnight, and then pressure tested it. I don't think they did the sealant thing. I have heard stories about he sealant peeling off after time, I wanted to avoid that.

 

You might try Egge Machine in Santa Fe Springs, CA. They sold pump repair kits years ago, might still. Hemmings might have some listing for pump kits too.

 

Just wanted to update...I rebuilt the fuel pump and it's pumping a little better. I discovered the jets in the carb are not really functioning, and the automatic choke was not functioning correctly, the piston for it was sticking and the choke stove pipe was rusted off at the bottom and completely blocked up anyway. SO, I have a few more things to do before I can try taking her out on the road again. Fix one thing, find three or four things wrong, that's about the norm with these old cars right?

 

Had the same problem with a 55 Buick. Replaced the fuel pump-no help. Installed an electric fuel pump- no help. Found the fuel pump feed line plugged with what looked like small pebbles.

 

That's interesting...I also found small pebbles in the filter in the inlet fuel line for the pump...along with a bunch of other crap. Maybe I ought to replace the fuel line from the tank to the pump? What did you end up doing?

 

I have gotten parts from CARS,Inc. many times in the past...very reliable & helpful. They specialize in Buicks and have been in business for over 30 years:
http://www.oldbuickparts.com/

Jonnie King www.legends.thewwbc.net

 

CK for an exhaust restriction

 

The restriction cause by the small pebbles was right at the fuel pump connection. I removed them and blew out the fuel line to the tank. It ran OK after that. Hope this helps.

 

I am in the same boat with my 50 Buick Super. I just removed the fuel pump and took it apart last night in anticipation of the rebuild kit coming in by tomorrow I hope, from Jackson's old time parts in Minnesota.
Chuck

 

Jonnie, that is one of the companies I order from the most They have been great to work with!

 

Ironpile, I'll make sure to check the exhaust too.

Gman, I just cleaned the filter at the fuel pump, I think I'll blow the line out back to the tank just to make sure.

csimonds, good luck with your rebuild!

Thanks everyone for the advice! This forum is a great resource!

 

I may be belaboring the obvious, but disconnect the fuel-line from the tank before blowing it out backwards, right? Don't blow stuff back into the tank.

 

Glinoh ,

We hosted the nationL Buick convention here in 1997 and
The owner of "cars" was set up as a vendor. Really nice guy
And helped me with a lot of parts for my '53 special. You
Can see it in my albums.

Good Luck !

Jk. (sending this From my iPod so there may be some
Errors.)

 

Yea Rickybop, I'll be sure to disconnect it before I blow the line out. Thanks for making sure! I need it sometimes!

 

GL, Check the line from the tank to the fuel pump. A small perforation in the line will let air in and cut way down on the fuel to the pump. It also may not leak fuel at that point.
Replace the lines both steel and rubber to be sure!
Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the advice Koolkat, I think I may end up replacing the entire fuel line. I have heard of some people replacing all the fuel lines with all rubber lines. Any thoughts?