Fuel pump

[dalekerr]

My clear glass fuel filter goes dry after setting for an hour or so? When I go to start the car after setting a few days it will start right away then die, it then takes a bit to get it restarted. It will start fine with no issues after warmed up.

Yesterday while taking a long trip (150 miles) it started cutting out like starving for fuel on the way back, when getting down on it a bit, after 3k RPM. Could this be a sign the fuel pump is getting weak. The pump is about 10-15 years old maybe.

Thanks in advance

Dale Kerr

[dalekerr]

Mechanical pump

[HawkX66]

The fuel from the glass filter, which you should toss in the trash, has to be going somewhere. It won't just evaporate out of there in an hour. Look at where it's leaking and fix that for starters. Cutting out/starving for fuel could be a stuck float. These cars generally sit for a while and when they do the ethanol fuel wreaks havoc. Where/how is the filter mounted?

[dalekerr]

The filter is mounted in front of the block before carb the after pump.  Is'nt the fuel pump suppossed to have a check valve to keep the fuel in the line? Could this be weak or bad causing my issues?

[HawkX66]

The filter is mounted in front of the block before carb the after pump.  Is'nt the fuel pump suppossed to have a check valve to keep the fuel in the line? Could this be weak or bad causing my issues?

Anything is possible. If the bladder is ruptured the fuel could potentially leak down and go back to the tank or end up on the ground. Sounds kind of suspect to me though. That wouldn't explain the starving fuel unless you're thinking it doesn't provide enough pressure to fill the float bowls. Get a pressure gauge on it so you can rule it out or confirm that's what's happening. Should be ~6psi for a Holley if that's what you're running.
Seriously though, get rid of the glass fuel filter unless you want your car to become a circus attraction when the fire dept has to show up.

[firstgenaddict]

Bladder can fail and then the fuel can go into the oil pan.

[Sauron327]

Decades ago, my friend watched his 'Cuda  burn to the ground after the glass fuel filter failed.

[Z282NV]

Decades ago, my friend watched his 'Cuda  burn to the ground after the glass fuel filter failed.

That is a sad story. I had one of those on my 69 Camaro and just by chance was working in the engine bay and bumped the fuel line. The glass fuel filter just fell apart in pieces. Got rid of it immediately and went with solid stainless steel tube lines from the mechanical pump up to the carb. Knock on wood.

[69Z28-RS]

Are you guys saying the danger with the 'glass fuel filters' are with the glass breaking? or the gasket failing? or the metal housing coming apart??   I'm curious if we're thinking of the same part, since there's been a glass bowl filter on my '57 Chevy sedan since I purchased it in 1978.   I've replaced the filter and the gasket but never had/saw a problem in the glass bowl (glass is very thick and stress is low).   

[Z282NV]

Are you guys saying the danger with the 'glass fuel filters' are with the glass breaking? or the gasket failing? or the metal housing coming apart??   I'm curious if we're thinking of the same part, since there's been a glass bowl filter on my '57 Chevy sedan since I purchased it in 1978.   I've replaced the filter and the gasket but never had/saw a problem in the glass bowl (glass is very thick and stress is low).

The problem that I encountered was with the metal housing coming apart. I think the brand was Mr.Gasket. It is quite possible the older versions are better than newer versions but it you have one I would keep an eye on it.

[69Z28-RS]

I went out and looked at mine...   it's an AC brand, not sure if it was installed at the factory in 1957 or sometime after, but I like being able to see the fuel/filter... reminds me to replace the filter element periodically.

[rich69rs]

Are you guys saying the danger with the 'glass fuel filters' are with the glass breaking? or the gasket failing? or the metal housing coming apart??   I'm curious if we're thinking of the same part, since there's been a glass bowl filter on my '57 Chevy sedan since I purchased it in 1978.   I've replaced the filter and the gasket but never had/saw a problem in the glass bowl (glass is very thick and stress is low).   

Either that or failure of the rubber hose(s) connecting it to the carb and fuel line.  From the fuel pump to the carb should only be a hard line - no rubber or external fuel filter - use of a glass bowl filter and rubber hoses between the pump and carb is safety issue - a leak under pressure on top of the engine or exhaust manifold.......

[z28z11]

I put mine between the hard line end and the pump, so it's not under pressure, just vacuum. I had a friend roast his '64 one night by the flexible hose in that area leaking - pays to replace those periodically, especially with today's rotten ethanol.

Regards,
Steve

[Stingr69]

I almost lost my car with a typical glass filter with the 2 metal end caps about 20 years ago.  The rubber seals in the metal end caps had dried out after the fuel left the filter from sitting for a while (11 months).  Started the car and the rubber was shrunken and hard so the end caps started to leak while the engine was running.  Saw it dripping on the garage floor before anything happened.  Never again!

Thank you God!