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[GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141501] Mon, 29 August 2011 09:41 Go to next message
Ray Erspamer is currently offline  Ray Erspamer   United States
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
Senior Member
Good Morning

This past weekend I decided to drop my fuel tanks. I've been dealing with a
fuel starvation problem at highway speed, when I would step on the accelerator
to pass someone or to climb a hill I would get missing & hesitation.

I discussed this with Dick Patterson because I thought it may have been an
ignition issue and he was certain it was a fuel problem.

On the trip out of town for our last outing, we ended up getting towed home
because the engine quit completely and wouldn't restart. After analyzing things
I discovered that the engine was getting no fuel. I worked my way back toward
the tanks disconnecting the fuel line at various points, dry as a bone. I
disconnected the line from the main tank to the tank selector valve and it was
dry, I blew in it, felt a restriction which quickly cleared and gas came pouring
out. I then disconnected the auxiliary tank line, it also was dry, however when
I blew in it all I could hear was air going into the tank.......I thought that
was strange because both tanks were full !


With the lines clear the engine immediately started and we enjoyed out trip, but
I still had hesitation while trying to accelerate at faster speeds.

When I dropped the tanks this weekend I discovered several things:
1. My tanks were pristine ! No rust what-so-ever. No goo, no crud, no
nothing.
2. The socks, pickup tubes, gage sending units were all EXTREMELY clean.
3. All hoses were tight and soft, no cracks or deterioration. I still replaced
all hoses and SS clamps anyway.
4. It was obvious that these tanks had been removed a short time before my
ownership.
5. Now....PROBLEM ONE - On the auxiliary tank, the FUEL LINE was connected to
the VENT PORT on the tank pick up. No wonder when I blew in it I heard air
going into the tank.

6. PROBLEM TWO which I think was my fuel starvation issue and the potential
blockage that occurred. The sock on the main tank pickup tube was bent tight in
half inside the tank. That meant that instead of having the entire area of the
sock for picking up fuel, there was about 1 square inch at most available.

After I reinstalled the tanks I added 5 gallons of gas and then went to a gas
station and filled up. Went for a long test ride and wow, it performed
fantastic.

Another detail that someone missed when reassembling the tank pickup units that
can cause real headache's after time.

See the attached pictures.

http://tinyurl.com/3myqzzb

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=40401&title=fuel-tank-removal-8-27&cat=5865



Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/

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Ray Erspamer 78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen 403, 3.70 Final Drive Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System, Holley Hyperspark Ignition System 414-484-9431
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141504 is a reply to message #141501] Mon, 29 August 2011 10:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
PETEinLongBeach is currently offline  PETEinLongBeach   United States
Messages: 90
Registered: June 2007
Location: Long Beach, CA
Karma: 0
Member
Coincidentally, last week I found the cause for a fuel starvation problem I've been having.

Coach would start and run fine under all circumstances, unless it had been sitting long enough for the float bowl to go dry. Then, it seemed that it just couldn't pump enough fuel to sufficiently prime the carb. I finally checked the fuel filter in the carb inlet and discovered TWO problems with it:


    A sealing washer under the filter base at the fuel inlet was folded over in half and was blocking the inlet.
    The filter had been installed BACKWARDS, with its inlet hole towards the carburetor and its blank end towards the fuel inlet.


The only way for fuel to get into the carburetor was if there was sufficient pressure from the pump to overcome the filter relief spring. As long as there was initial fuel in the bowl to start the motor, no problem. Without fuel in the bowl, not enough pressure at cranking speed to push fuel past the filter. After turning the filter around and unfolding the seal, the engine started in just a few seconds with a dry bowl, something it has never done since I've owned it.


Pete Smay
Long Beach, CA
1977 Kingsley
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141506 is a reply to message #141501] Mon, 29 August 2011 10:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Wagner is currently offline  Jim Wagner   United States
Messages: 339
Registered: February 2004
Location: Brook Park, Oh
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Ray,
Glad to read that you found your problem. We have no control over what the PO has done. It would be nice if the POs would give you a list showing what they have done to the coach. A list would have saved me a lot of waisted time.
Jim Wagner
Brook Park, oh

This past weekend I decided to drop my fuel tanks. I've been dealing with a
fuel starvation problem at highway speed, when I would step on the accelerator
to pass someone or to climb a hill I would get missing & hesitation.

Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141511 is a reply to message #141504] Mon, 29 August 2011 10:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ray Erspamer is currently offline  Ray Erspamer   United States
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
Senior Member
It's amazing Pete how these little things can drive a person NUTS !! Good find
!!

Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/



----- Original Message ----
From: Pete <peteinlb@aol.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Mon, August 29, 2011 10:05:31 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem



Coincidentally, last week I found the cause for a fuel starvation problem I've
been having.

Coach would start and run fine under all circumstances, unless it had been
sitting long enough for the float bowl to go dry. Then, it seemed that it just
couldn't pump enough fuel to sufficiently prime the carb. I finally checked the
fuel filter in the carb inlet and discovered TWO problems with it:


A sealing washer under the filter base at the fuel inlet was folded over in half
and was blocking the inlet.
The filter had been installed BACKWARDS, with its inlet hole towards the
carburetor and its blank end towards the fuel inlet.


The only way for fuel to get into the carburetor was if there was sufficient
pressure from the pump to overcome the filter relief spring. As long as there
was initial fuel in the bowl to start the motor, no problem. Without fuel in
the bowl, not enough pressure at cranking speed to push fuel past the filter.
After turning the filter around and unfolding the seal, the engine started in
just a few seconds with a dry bowl, something it has never done since I've owned
it.
--
Pete Smay
Long Beach, CA
1977 Kingsley
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Ray Erspamer 78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen 403, 3.70 Final Drive Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System, Holley Hyperspark Ignition System 414-484-9431
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141512 is a reply to message #141506] Mon, 29 August 2011 10:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ray Erspamer is currently offline  Ray Erspamer   United States
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
Senior Member
I have the detailed maintenance records from my PO Jim, however dropping the
fuel tanks is listed nowhere.

If that had been on the list I may not have dropped the tanks and found the
problem.

Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/



----- Original Message ----
From: Jim Wagner <slwjmw@sbcglobal.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Mon, August 29, 2011 10:12:40 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem



Ray,
Glad to read that you found your problem. We have no control over what the PO
has done. It would be nice if the POs would give you a list showing what they
have done to the coach. A list would have saved me a lot of waisted time.
Jim Wagner
Brook Park, oh

This past weekend I decided to drop my fuel tanks. I've been dealing with a
fuel starvation problem at highway speed, when I would step on the accelerator
to pass someone or to climb a hill I would get missing & hesitation.


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Ray Erspamer 78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen 403, 3.70 Final Drive Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System, Holley Hyperspark Ignition System 414-484-9431
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141523 is a reply to message #141511] Mon, 29 August 2011 11:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WD0AFQ is currently offline  WD0AFQ   United States
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
Senior Member
Ray Erspamer wrote on Mon, 29 August 2011 10:30

It's amazing Pete how these little things can drive a person NUTS !! Good find
!!

Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/






Ray, that is exactly what Teri says to me some days. Laughing
Glad you found the problem.
See you next week,
Dan


3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141585 is a reply to message #141501] Mon, 29 August 2011 17:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
G'day Ray,

I'll bet you were smiling ear to ear when you went on your test ride!

I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to remove the strainers on the fuel pickups in the tanks and install one externally?

I did a Google search and there's lots of them out there.

Plus removing the strainers on the pickups would allow you to bend the pickup down until it barely touches the bottom of the fuel
tank to get the max amount of fuel out.

Regards,
Rob M.


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ray Erspamer
Sent: Tuesday, 30 August 2011 12:41 AM
To: GMC Net List
Subject: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem

Good Morning

This past weekend I decided to drop my fuel tanks. I've been dealing with a
fuel starvation problem at highway speed, when I would step on the accelerator
to pass someone or to climb a hill I would get missing & hesitation.

I discussed this with Dick Patterson because I thought it may have been an
ignition issue and he was certain it was a fuel problem.

On the trip out of town for our last outing, we ended up getting towed home
because the engine quit completely and wouldn't restart. After analyzing things
I discovered that the engine was getting no fuel. I worked my way back toward
the tanks disconnecting the fuel line at various points, dry as a bone. I
disconnected the line from the main tank to the tank selector valve and it was
dry, I blew in it, felt a restriction which quickly cleared and gas came pouring
out. I then disconnected the auxiliary tank line, it also was dry, however when
I blew in it all I could hear was air going into the tank.......I thought that
was strange because both tanks were full !


With the lines clear the engine immediately started and we enjoyed out trip, but
I still had hesitation while trying to accelerate at faster speeds.

When I dropped the tanks this weekend I discovered several things:
1. My tanks were pristine ! No rust what-so-ever. No goo, no crud, no
nothing.
2. The socks, pickup tubes, gage sending units were all EXTREMELY clean.
3. All hoses were tight and soft, no cracks or deterioration. I still replaced
all hoses and SS clamps anyway.
4. It was obvious that these tanks had been removed a short time before my
ownership.
5. Now....PROBLEM ONE - On the auxiliary tank, the FUEL LINE was connected to
the VENT PORT on the tank pick up. No wonder when I blew in it I heard air
going into the tank.

6. PROBLEM TWO which I think was my fuel starvation issue and the potential
blockage that occurred. The sock on the main tank pickup tube was bent tight in
half inside the tank. That meant that instead of having the entire area of the
sock for picking up fuel, there was about 1 square inch at most available.

After I reinstalled the tanks I added 5 gallons of gas and then went to a gas
station and filled up. Went for a long test ride and wow, it performed
fantastic.

Another detail that someone missed when reassembling the tank pickup units that
can cause real headache's after time.

See the attached pictures.

http://tinyurl.com/3myqzzb

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=40401&title=fuel-tank-removal-8-27&cat=5865



Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141588 is a reply to message #141585] Mon, 29 August 2011 18:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
SergeL is currently offline  SergeL   United States
Messages: 169
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Had a fuel starvation problem with mine, all filters clean as can be,
emptied the fuel tanks and started removing, as I looked up I could see
that the gas line was caught and clamped by the fuel tank, hardly any gas
could get through it was crushed so bad, moved the line over , installed 5
gal gas and ran like a top. End of that problem, oh how I wished they were
all that easy.



Serge
1973 GMC
Deming, NM


He who expects no gratitude shall never be disapointed
-------Original Message-------

From: Rob Mueller
Date: 8/29/2011 4:56:49 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem

G'day Ray,

I'll bet you were smiling ear to ear when you went on your test ride!

I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to remove the strainers on the
fuel pickups in the tanks and install one externally?

I did a Google search and there's lots of them out there.

Plus removing the strainers on the pickups would allow you to bend the
pickup down until it barely touches the bottom of the fuel
tank to get the max amount of fuel out.

Regards,
Rob M.


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet
org] On Behalf Of Ray Erspamer
Sent: Tuesday, 30 August 2011 12:41 AM
To: GMC Net List
Subject: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem

Good Morning

This past weekend I decided to drop my fuel tanks. I've been dealing with a
fuel starvation problem at highway speed, when I would step on the
accelerator
to pass someone or to climb a hill I would get missing & hesitation.

I discussed this with Dick Patterson because I thought it may have been an
ignition issue and he was certain it was a fuel problem.

On the trip out of town for our last outing, we ended up getting towed home
because the engine quit completely and wouldn't restart. After analyzing
things
I discovered that the engine was getting no fuel. I worked my way back
toward
the tanks disconnecting the fuel line at various points, dry as a bone. I
disconnected the line from the main tank to the tank selector valve and it
was
dry, I blew in it, felt a restriction which quickly cleared and gas came
pouring
out. I then disconnected the auxiliary tank line, it also was dry, however
when
I blew in it all I could hear was air going into the tank.......I thought
that
was strange because both tanks were full !


With the lines clear the engine immediately started and we enjoyed out trip,
but
I still had hesitation while trying to accelerate at faster speeds.

When I dropped the tanks this weekend I discovered several things:
1. My tanks were pristine ! No rust what-so-ever. No goo, no crud, no
nothing.
2. The socks, pickup tubes, gage sending units were all EXTREMELY clean.
3. All hoses were tight and soft, no cracks or deterioration. I still
replaced
all hoses and SS clamps anyway.
4. It was obvious that these tanks had been removed a short time before my
ownership.
5. Now....PROBLEM ONE - On the auxiliary tank, the FUEL LINE was
connected to
the VENT PORT on the tank pick up. No wonder when I blew in it I heard
air
going into the tank.

6. PROBLEM TWO which I think was my fuel starvation issue and the potential
blockage that occurred. The sock on the main tank pickup tube was bent
tight in
half inside the tank. That meant that instead of having the entire area of
the
sock for picking up fuel, there was about 1 square inch at most available.

After I reinstalled the tanks I added 5 gallons of gas and then went to a
gas
station and filled up. Went for a long test ride and wow, it performed
fantastic.

Another detail that someone missed when reassembling the tank pickup units
that
can cause real headache's after time.

See the attached pictures.

http://tinyurl.com/3myqzzb

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto
php?photo=40401&title=fuel-tank-removal-8-27&cat=5865



Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/

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Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141611 is a reply to message #141501] Mon, 29 August 2011 20:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
Basicly my theory that when you get one of these you have to touch everything that is connected to anything else. At some point you get to everything, and then trouble is in the past.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141612 is a reply to message #141501] Mon, 29 August 2011 20:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Ray Erspamer wrote on Mon, 29 August 2011 09:41



When I dropped the tanks this weekend I discovered several things:
1. My tanks were pristine ! No rust what-so-ever. No goo, no crud, no
nothing.
5. Now....PROBLEM ONE - On the auxiliary tank, the FUEL LINE was connected to
the VENT PORT on the tank pick up. No wonder when I blew in it I heard air
going into the tank.

Ray





Wow - great luck on having clean tanks.

So where did you put all the gas you had to drain out?


Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141620 is a reply to message #141612] Mon, 29 August 2011 21:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ray Erspamer is currently offline  Ray Erspamer   United States
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
Senior Member
Steve, my tanks were pretty empty after our last trip. With the coach in my
steep driveway I inflated the passenger air bags and deflated the drivers side.
That made all of the aux tank gas drain into the main. Then I put the coach on
the street and slightly lowered the rear but kept the coach level side to side.
I disconnected the hose in front of my electric fuel pump and pumped the gas
into a 5 gallon gas can and emptied that into the boat. I was able to get 10
gallons out of the coach with that pump and there was enough gas left to get the
coach back into the driveway.

When I dropped the tanks, the front aux was basically empty, the rear tank had
literally no more than a quart of gas left in it. When I lowered the tanks I
used my floor jack with a piece of plywood on it about 14" x 14" with a 2 x 2 on
the drivers side, that kept the tank angled away the fill tube side.

Removing the tanks wasn't that bad of a job, time consuming, but not that
difficult. Naturally, I used my new Steve Southworth jack stands, sure gives a
person a high level of confidence working under the coach when it's up on
those. solid as a rock.

When I did my test drive it not only performed great on the fuel issue, that new
3:70 final drive is something else ! Talk about get up and GO !! WOW !!!! I
LOVE IT !!!

Have you decided anything on Goshen ???

Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/



----- Original Message ----
From: Steve Southworth <midlf@centurytel.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Mon, August 29, 2011 8:33:57 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem



Ray Erspamer wrote on Mon, 29 August 2011 09:41
> When I dropped the tanks this weekend I discovered several things:
> 1. My tanks were pristine ! No rust what-so-ever. No goo, no crud, no
> nothing.
> 5. Now....PROBLEM ONE - On the auxiliary tank, the FUEL LINE was connected
>to
>
> the VENT PORT on the tank pick up. No wonder when I blew in it I heard air
> going into the tank.
>
> Ray


Wow - great luck on having clean tanks.

So where did you put all the gas you had to drain out?
--
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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Ray Erspamer 78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen 403, 3.70 Final Drive Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System, Holley Hyperspark Ignition System 414-484-9431
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141654 is a reply to message #141620] Tue, 30 August 2011 07:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Ray Erspamer wrote on Mon, 29 August 2011 21:09

Steve, Have you decided anything on Goshen ???

Ray






My transmode was angled about the opposite of the way you described and I had 5+ gallons in each tank when I took them out. 20 year old gas. Some of the nastiest stuff you can imagine. Took me forever to burn it off in a can in my fire-pit one gallon at a time.

Goshen - I would love to go but looking at what I still have to get done here before winter. As the house/property stuff must get done the Goshen time would have to come out of "workin on GMC time" and I have decided its time to stop learning about GMC's and get to working on GMC's (more). I expect I will even reduce my net/forum perusal to asking specific questions and the answers. I am suffering from info overload.


Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141655 is a reply to message #141654] Tue, 30 August 2011 07:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ray Erspamer is currently offline  Ray Erspamer   United States
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
Senior Member
Not a problem Steve, I hear ya loud and clear. When my son was home last time
he said, "GEE DAD, I THINK YOU NEED A FEW MORE HOBBIES/INTERESTS". If you
change your mind about Goshen, just let me know. Also, if you ever need a hand
just give a call and I can run out. I do plan on taking a ride out some
Saturday to return your final drive, bolts, socket, etc.

Get that coach running and on the road so you can enjoy it.



Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/



----- Original Message ----
From: Steve Southworth <midlf@centurytel.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tue, August 30, 2011 7:45:28 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem



Ray Erspamer wrote on Mon, 29 August 2011 21:09
> Steve, Have you decided anything on Goshen ???
>
> Ray



My transmode was angled about the opposite of the way you described and I had 5+
gallons in each tank when I took them out. 20 year old gas. Some of the
nastiest stuff you can imagine. Took me forever to burn it off in a can in my
fire-pit one gallon at a time.

Goshen - I would love to go but looking at what I still have to get done here
before winter. As the house/property stuff must get done the Goshen time would
have to come out of "workin on GMC time" and I have decided its time to stop
learning about GMC's and get to working on GMC's (more). I expect I will even
reduce my net/forum perusal to asking specific questions and the answers. I am
suffering from info overload.
--
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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Ray Erspamer 78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen 403, 3.70 Final Drive Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System, Holley Hyperspark Ignition System 414-484-9431
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141657 is a reply to message #141585] Tue, 30 August 2011 07:56 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Steven Ferguson is currently offline  Steven Ferguson   United States
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Rob,
Every old car I've restored, including the GMC motorhome, I've completely
removed the socks. They are a source of problems. Any debris collected
there stays there. With a filter ahead of the fuel pump, you can easily
dispose of the collected debris. Those socks are worthless.

On Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 3:58 PM, Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:

> G'day Ray,
>
> I'll bet you were smiling ear to ear when you went on your test ride!
>
> I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to remove the strainers on the
> fuel pickups in the tanks and install one externally?
>
> I did a Google search and there's lots of them out there.
>
> Plus removing the strainers on the pickups would allow you to bend the
> pickup down until it barely touches the bottom of the fuel
> tank to get the max amount of fuel out.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org [mailto:
> gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Ray Erspamer
> Sent: Tuesday, 30 August 2011 12:41 AM
> To: GMC Net List
> Subject: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem
>
> Good Morning
>
> This past weekend I decided to drop my fuel tanks. I've been dealing with
> a
> fuel starvation problem at highway speed, when I would step on the
> accelerator
> to pass someone or to climb a hill I would get missing & hesitation.
>
> I discussed this with Dick Patterson because I thought it may have been an
> ignition issue and he was certain it was a fuel problem.
>
> On the trip out of town for our last outing, we ended up getting towed home
> because the engine quit completely and wouldn't restart. After analyzing
> things
> I discovered that the engine was getting no fuel. I worked my way back
> toward
> the tanks disconnecting the fuel line at various points, dry as a bone. I
> disconnected the line from the main tank to the tank selector valve and it
> was
> dry, I blew in it, felt a restriction which quickly cleared and gas came
> pouring
> out. I then disconnected the auxiliary tank line, it also was dry, however
> when
> I blew in it all I could hear was air going into the tank.......I thought
> that
> was strange because both tanks were full !
>
>
> With the lines clear the engine immediately started and we enjoyed out
> trip, but
> I still had hesitation while trying to accelerate at faster speeds.
>
> When I dropped the tanks this weekend I discovered several things:
> 1. My tanks were pristine ! No rust what-so-ever. No goo, no crud, no
> nothing.
> 2. The socks, pickup tubes, gage sending units were all EXTREMELY clean.
> 3. All hoses were tight and soft, no cracks or deterioration. I still
> replaced
> all hoses and SS clamps anyway.
> 4. It was obvious that these tanks had been removed a short time before my
> ownership.
> 5. Now....PROBLEM ONE - On the auxiliary tank, the FUEL LINE was
> connected to
> the VENT PORT on the tank pick up. No wonder when I blew in it I heard
> air
> going into the tank.
>
> 6. PROBLEM TWO which I think was my fuel starvation issue and the
> potential
> blockage that occurred. The sock on the main tank pickup tube was bent
> tight in
> half inside the tank. That meant that instead of having the entire area of
> the
> sock for picking up fuel, there was about 1 square inch at most available.
>
> After I reinstalled the tanks I added 5 gallons of gas and then went to a
> gas
> station and filled up. Went for a long test ride and wow, it performed
> fantastic.
>
> Another detail that someone missed when reassembling the tank pickup units
> that
> can cause real headache's after time.
>
> See the attached pictures.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/3myqzzb
>
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=40401&title=fuel-tank-removal-8-27&cat=5865
>
>
>
> Ray
>
>
> Ray & Lisa Erspamer
> 78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
> Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
> Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
> Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
> 414-745-3188
> Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
>
> _______________________________________________
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>



--
Steve Ferguson
Sierra Vista, AZ
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Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141673 is a reply to message #141657] Tue, 30 August 2011 10:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Steve,

You're smarter than I am! I put new socks on when Jason and I pulled the tanks down at the COOP!

The tanks were SPOTLESS so I shouldn't have any problems, in theory!

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Ferguson

Rob,
Every old car I've restored, including the GMC motorhome, I've completely
removed the socks. They are a source of problems. Any debris collected
there stays there. With a filter ahead of the fuel pump, you can easily
dispose of the collected debris. Those socks are worthless.

Steve

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141676 is a reply to message #141673] Tue, 30 August 2011 10:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ray Erspamer is currently offline  Ray Erspamer   United States
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
Senior Member
How come I hear all of these great ideas AFTER I finished the job !! LOL

Well, if the tanks are spotless and the socks aren't folded in half like one of
mine was or if the fuel line is not connected to the vent tube like my aux tank
was, then the socks shouldn't be a problem. You're correct, in theory we
shouldn't have any problems.

Like everything else, now that I've dropped the tanks once, I could probably do
it again in 1/3 the time if I had to do it again.

Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/



----- Original Message ----
From: Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tue, August 30, 2011 10:05:40 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem

Steve,

You're smarter than I am! I put new socks on when Jason and I pulled the tanks
down at the COOP!

The tanks were SPOTLESS so I shouldn't have any problems, in theory!

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Steven Ferguson

Rob,
Every old car I've restored, including the GMC motorhome, I've completely
removed the socks. They are a source of problems. Any debris collected
there stays there. With a filter ahead of the fuel pump, you can easily
dispose of the collected debris. Those socks are worthless.

Steve

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Ray Erspamer 78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen 403, 3.70 Final Drive Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System, Holley Hyperspark Ignition System 414-484-9431
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141679 is a reply to message #141676] Tue, 30 August 2011 10:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Ray,

Another idea but this time BEFORE you drop the tanks!

It would be easy to locate and cut a hole in the floor to service the pickups if you:

1) Drop both tanks & remove the sender from one of them
2) Make a round wood block the size of the recess the sender sits in
3) Put a sharp screw in the center of the block
4) Tape the block in the sender recess with the screw facing up
5) Raise the tank into the AUX tank position
6) Press the tank upwards so the screw can mark the aluminum sheet
7) Lower the tank and drill a 1/8" hole up through the aluminum sheet, foam insulation, and the plywood floor
8) Repeat the process for the MAIN tank
9) Drill a ? inch hole down through the floor using a hole saw
10) Using a router cut a recess 3/8" wide around the hole
11) Make a stepped plug to fit in the hole

I know there are measurements floating around but if you use this method the holes would be spot on!

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Of Ray Erspamer

How come I hear all of these great ideas AFTER I finished the job !! LOL

Well, if the tanks are spotless and the socks aren't folded in half like one of
mine was or if the fuel line is not connected to the vent tube like my aux tank
was, then the socks shouldn't be a problem. You're correct, in theory we
shouldn't have any problems.

Like everything else, now that I've dropped the tanks once, I could probably do
it again in 1/3 the time if I had to do it again.

Ray


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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141687 is a reply to message #141679] Tue, 30 August 2011 11:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WD0AFQ is currently offline  WD0AFQ   United States
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
Senior Member
Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 30 August 2011 10:33

Ray,

Another idea but this time BEFORE you drop the tanks!

It would be easy to locate and cut a hole in the floor to service the pickups if you:

1) Drop both tanks & remove the sender from one of them
2) Make a round wood block the size of the recess the sender sits in
3) Put a sharp screw in the center of the block
4) Tape the block in the sender recess with the screw facing up
5) Raise the tank into the AUX tank position
6) Press the tank upwards so the screw can mark the aluminum sheet
7) Lower the tank and drill a 1/8" hole up through the aluminum sheet, foam insulation, and the plywood floor
Cool Repeat the process for the MAIN tank
9) Drill a ? inch hole down through the floor using a hole saw
10) Using a router cut a recess 3/8" wide around the hole
11) Make a stepped plug to fit in the hole

I know there are measurements floating around but if you use this method the holes would be spot on!

Regards,
Rob M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Of Ray Erspamer

How come I hear all of these great ideas AFTER I finished the job !! LOL

Well, if the tanks are spotless and the socks aren't folded in half like one of
mine was or if the fuel line is not connected to the vent tube like my aux tank
was, then the socks shouldn't be a problem. You're correct, in theory we
shouldn't have any problems.

Like everything else, now that I've dropped the tanks once, I could probably do
it again in 1/3 the time if I had to do it again.

Ray


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OR, get into Jim W's coach at Goshen and find his holes.
Dan


3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141691 is a reply to message #141687] Tue, 30 August 2011 11:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ray Erspamer is currently offline  Ray Erspamer   United States
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
Senior Member
I have a better idea......

since my tanks, pickups & sending units were pristine, and now I have new lines
and new socks, how about I forget about this whole gas tank thing and move on to
one of the next 50 items I have on my list ! LOL

BTW, just a side item for all the guys.....I bought a new lawn mower this
spring, a Toro Personal Pace with an ELECTRIC START......now that Lisa can get
it started, she cuts the grass.....makes more time for me to putz on the GMC
!!


Now who can't love THAT PLAN !!!

Ray


Ray & Lisa Erspamer
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/



----- Original Message ----
From: Dan Gregg <gregg_dan@hotmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tue, August 30, 2011 11:32:03 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem



Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 30 August 2011 10:33
> Ray,
>
> Another idea but this time BEFORE you drop the tanks!
>
> It would be easy to locate and cut a hole in the floor to service the pickups
>if you:
>
>
> 1) Drop both tanks & remove the sender from one of them
> 2) Make a round wood block the size of the recess the sender sits in
> 3) Put a sharp screw in the center of the block
> 4) Tape the block in the sender recess with the screw facing up
> 5) Raise the tank into the AUX tank position
> 6) Press the tank upwards so the screw can mark the aluminum sheet
> 7) Lower the tank and drill a 1/8" hole up through the aluminum sheet, foam
>insulation, and the plywood floor
> 8) Repeat the process for the MAIN tank
> 9) Drill a ? inch hole down through the floor using a hole saw
> 10) Using a router cut a recess 3/8" wide around the hole
> 11) Make a stepped plug to fit in the hole
>
> I know there are measurements floating around but if you use this method the
>holes would be spot on!
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Of Ray Erspamer
>
> How come I hear all of these great ideas AFTER I finished the job !! LOL
>
> Well, if the tanks are spotless and the socks aren't folded in half like one of
>
> mine was or if the fuel line is not connected to the vent tube like my aux tank
>
> was, then the socks shouldn't be a problem. You're correct, in theory we
> shouldn't have any problems.
>
> Like everything else, now that I've dropped the tanks once, I could probably do
>
> it again in 1/3 the time if I had to do it again.
>
> Ray
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

OR, get into Jim W's coach at Goshen and find his holes.
Dan
--
Dan & Teri Gregg
Soft White LED Lighting

http://danandteri.blogspot.com/




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Ray Erspamer 78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen 403, 3.70 Final Drive Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System, Holley Hyperspark Ignition System 414-484-9431
Re: [GMCnet] Found Fuel Starving Problem [message #141724 is a reply to message #141691] Tue, 30 August 2011 16:04 Go to previous message
Don A is currently offline  Don A   United States
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
Senior Member

<<<Ray Erspamer wrote on Mon, 29 August 2011 09:41
When I did my test drive it not only performed great on the fuel issue, that new 3:70 final drive is something else ! Talk about get up and GO !! WOW !!!! I LOVE IT !!!
>>>

Ray, do you have any hiway speed miles on the 3.70 yet?
How does the engine sound and feel at those rpm?



Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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