Chevy Tri Five Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Stalling/dying pointing uphill

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
G

gcgarner

· Registered
Joined
·
23 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
So today my bone stock 265 Nomad left me stranded. It died going up a hill. I got it started, and it ran fine again for a while. Died again about 10 minutes later...at a stoplight facing uphill. This time it would not start back. Found a guy mowing a yard and got some gas from him, poured it in the carb, and it got going. Drove to the closest gas station and filled it up...hoping it was just the gas gauge being wrong. Ran fine for the first mile (level/downhill), then died again as soon as I hit the slightest upward grade. Had to get it pointed downhill to get it started. Died as soon as I pointed it uphill.

Walked home (about a mile away) at this point, and drive my daily driver over with jumper cables, because the battery was about gone from the multiple tries of starting.

Brought some gas, poured it in the carb, got it over one final small hill with that gas, then got it to my neighborhood.

My driveway is a steep hill (up). No way was it making it. Died at the slightest slope. But I was able to back it up all the way with no problems.

It was 90 degrees today.

Vapor lock? Fuel pump? Fuel filter? Float?

Any ideas how to tackle this?

For the record, the car has sat for about 5 years (it was my dad’s). Recently got it up and running. It has been doing great to this point.
 
#2 ·
Sounds like either a stuck float......

Did you try rapping the side of the carb with the wooden handle of a hammer.... that has worked a couple times for me.

You can easily check the pump by disconnecting the fuel line into container and turn the engine over to watch the fuel flow.... The pump only needs 3-5 psi to feed a carb.....

Good luck....

PS: I would throw a can of SeaFoam into the gas tank. for the next few tank fulls...
 
#5 ·
gcgarner said:
Doesn’t have to be steep. Just a little beyond level.

I’ll check the floats and the fuel pump. It will have to wait til tomorrow though.
Click to expand...
I would suspect the fuel pump or a pin hole in the fuel line from the tank, allowing it to suck air if the fuel is not gravity feeding the pump.
 
#10 ·
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I didn’t test with the line removal method, but I did watch the squirters as I throttled it. On the upward incline it ran fine for about 5 minutes, then completely stalled out again. Wouldn’t start back til I got it to level.

Died again as soon as the front was inclined.

And again

And again

I’m suspecting now either a rubber fuel line sucking shut (although it didn’t appear to be...and the one near the fuel pump is new) OR something in the tank stopping up the outlet when it is tilted backwards.

It IS a 63 year old tank. And it has sat a while.

Just not too excited about dropping a wagon tank if I don’t have to.

Any thoughts?
 
#13 ·
I had the same problem one time. I disconnected the fuel line at the fuel pump and shot some compressed air in the line back to the tank and that cleared it up. If doing this remove fuel tank cap first. Also might be a partial blockage of the sock on your fuel sending unit ? weak fuel pump ? Try the easiest and the cheapest first. And then :p3:
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
I’ll do that. I saw that in the online article but I thought it was talking about blowing out the pump itself. I get it now.

Eventually this gets a full restoration, but it’s going to be a true survivor for a while.
 
#15 ·
pauldian said:
I had the same problem one time. I disconnected the fuel line at the fuel pump and shot some compressed air in the line back to the tank and that cleared it up. If doing this remove fuel tank cap first. Also might be a partial blockage of the sock on your fuel sending unit ? weak fuel pump ? Try the easiest and the cheapest first. And then :p3:
Click to expand...
I had the same problem but would stall when on level ground, the sock in the tank was blocked with what looked like a red type of soot.
Being in a sedan I removed the sender, blew out the lines with air, didn't have a problem after that.
 
#16 ·
hope blowing the line works out. if not, go back to maybe problem with float level in carb. :anim_25:
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 ·
#19 ·
Uphill

As has been stated fuel is not gravity fed going uphill. There is a rubber diaphragm in the pump that does the pumping and like any rubber part is subject to failure from time and environment. Change the fuel pump.

Dangerous Joe :viking:
 
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
About this Discussion
22 Replies
10 Participants
Last post:
gcgarner
Chevy Tri Five Forum
posts
2.6M
members
72K
Since
2005
A forum community dedicated to 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevy owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restoration, engine swaps, reviews, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Open to all models including Belair, 210, 150, Sedans, and Nomads.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Chit Chat Area, Anything on your mind goes here. New Member Introductions Stock Chevy Discussion 55-56-57 Project Update Section, Post Project Updates Here Suspension Questions Chassis, Brakes, Shocks, Etc