56 Chevy Won't Run!

I have a 56 Chevy with a 235 straight 6 which I let sit for about a year due to life getting too busy.Before I parked it I was having problems with the carb,so I rebuilt the carb and got a new fuel pump.This weekend I drained the tank,replaced the fuel pump,carb and put 5 gallons of fresh gas int the tank.I primed the carb before I started the car and it ran really great for a minute or so and then died out.I repeated this about 4 or 5 times and the same result.So i checked the fuel line going to the carb from the fuel pump and there was no fuel.Then I decided to check the line from the tank to the pump and there was no fuel.Then I took my air nozzle and blew air into the fuel line towards the tank and the fuel would flow for a few seconds and stop.I repeated this a couple times and the same result.Anyone have Ideas what this dummy check or what the problem might be.Thanks in advance.

 

A couple of possibilities. The sock on the end of the pickup tube may be plugging up the tube, or, if there is a rubber line in the system it may be deteriorating internally.

Simple process of elimination........remove the line from the tank and then blow your air through it. If it flows then try blowing air into the tank fitting only. You have some blockage somewhere, you just need to determine exactly where it is.

Don

 

I hope you removed the cap before trying to blow air through the line.

 

Good thought. He may also have a non vented cap that is stopping the flow.

Don

 

Not only that but a bunch of fuel could come back at you once the air stops flowing.

 

Thanks for for the info.The fuel line is all steel, no rubber,vented cap and like a dummy the first time I blew air in the fuel line I forgot to take the cap off.I'll take a look at this weekend.Working lots of OT this week.Thanks again for the info.

 

Good for you on the OT. (Not "off topic" for once).
Maybe the tank is all ****ped up and needs to be taken out and hosed out real good and dried really better.

 

Not only that but the tank can balloon very easily.

 

When I drained the tank the fuel looked clear.Doesn'rt mean there can't be some crud in there.I'm hoping I don't have to drop the tank.

 

Ive had similar trouble before with 55s,the best way to be sure about the tank is to take it off and make sure its cleaned out good (a little trouble for a lot less guessing about it)

I put a brand new aftermarket tank and sending unit on one 55 for about 120 bucks off ebay

I would run a short line from a jug of gas to the fuel pump under the hood to make sure the fuel pump isnt still part of the problem as well, and make sure there isnt a hole rusted in the line from the tank to the pump, I also had trouble once with not getting gas to the carb from the pump, the old metal gas line had been off for a long time and had a dirt dobbers nest built in it stopping the line up,tho simple I like to have never figured that one out.

 

I would look at the shape of the steel line and check the rubber connector hoses,they might have a crack in them,letting air into the line,it'll never pickup fuel that way.Another thing is if you have a dent in your gas tank,you can blow some ait into to help pop out the dents,i do that all the time on motorcycle tanks,works like a charm. Harvey

 

How did you drain the tank?

 

Since the sending unit, pickup, and line are all one unit, you don't have to drop the tank on a '56 to check the pickup sock. It's on the axle side, and just knock the retaining ring loose, and pull it all out. Should be able to see a problem with the sock if that's what's plugged. Also be sure the line from the hard line to the mechanical pump isn't collapsing. I've had that on a couple Tri 5 Chevys, and it did the same thing.

 

I would venture to say there is a hole split or rusted out fuel line somewhere. As mentioned before try and run it off a fuel can and rubber hose under the hood. If it runs well there look for the culprit in the lines or tank. Someone may have installed an inline filter hidden away also that could be clogged.

 

Took the gas cap off and removed the drain plug on the fuel tank.I also jacked up the front & rear end of the car after the fuel sopedd flowing just make sure I got everything out.

 

Sunbeam doesn't realize most older cars had a drain plug, and some even had a pet**** to make it even easier!

 

when you blew air into the tank,when it blew back at you,did you see any wet spots on the floor under the car?,that might help find a leaking line? harvey

 

No wet spots.Everything looked dry!

 

Its really not that big of a deal to drop the tank,drain it, undo the line and gauge wire from sending unit,remove 2 bolts in straps at the back then slide it side ways off the filler neck and your done. and besides you wont know whats in there til you get it out. One of mine had a old pencil, a stick and other gunk and debree in it.

Sorry but Im afraid you are remembering wrong about the retaining ring unless your car had a diffrent tank because tri fives have clutch head screws holding the sending unit in and you cant get up there to see whats in the tank after you get the sending unit out anyway unless you pull the tank.

 

Filter? Or a cut off u forgot about??

 

yep on the clutch head screws, also its been a while but I think there is a short rubber hose on the top of the tank to the steel line.? I think i'm right about that. its really not that hard to drop those tanks,IF,IF they are empty

 

Thanks for the input.Today I disconnecred all the fuel lines and blew them out again.I also drained the tank.I was going to take out the sendimg unit.It does have 5 clutch head screws.Of course the screwdriver/socket I need, I don't have. I'll have to borrow one from a friend.I also ran a fuel line from a a gas can to the fuel pump, no fuel flowing out the other side of the fuel pump.I got a defective one.I'll return and pick up amother one.Thanks again