Need help with Fuel delivery on '55 Buick

[Malditohooligan]

Hopefully someone can help me out. I got a '55 Buick Super. Car was running great with no issues, but my carb began to clog up with dirt and rust from the gas tank. I took off the carb and had it cleaned out. I also dropped the tank, and had it professioally cleaned out. I reinstalled both and filled up the tank with fresh gasoline.
Problem is, now there is no gas pumping into my engine and it won't start. I can only assume since the engine isn't on, the mechanical fuel pump can't pump any gas in, but I'm not sure. Is that possible? The fuel pump was working fine before and I had no known blockage in my fuel lines.
Whats the best way to get the car started? I've used starting fluid and poured in some gas directly in the carb. to no avail.
Thanks

[56buickboy]

It sounds like there may be a problem with dirt or rust in the fuel pump as well. I would disconnect the fuel line that exits the fuel pump,( and leads to carb) crank the engine and see if you have any fuel pressure at that point. If not the pump may need an overhaul or clean. It seems strange that the fuel pump was working okay before. Maybe there is an air leak in the fuel line near the tank, (considering the tank was removed) and the fuel pump is only sucking air not fuel. Worth a check.

Ross

[66electrafied]

On some of those older cars there is a fine mesh screen at the back of the tank where the fuel line heads out to the pump. I've seen it where that screen gets plugged up with crud, or, if the tank was sealed chemically, it packs up the screen. If your car has a fuel line separate from the fuel sending unit, then this could probably be the case. If it has that seperate screen, you will probably have to punch a hole through it from outside, there's no way in to the tank to replace it.

Other things to check out is if the fuel line packed up because the tank wasn't properly flushed and the caustic is still working. Hook up a jerry-can to the feed side of the pump crank over the engine and see if it pumps. (Diconnect it from the carb and collect whatever comes out in a cup) If it does, try blowing air through the feed line back to the tank. (disconnect it at both ends first) You should be able to blow air through quite easily. If none of the above works, and the pump does not pump, it could be weak, or the fine-mesh filter in it is plugged. If it has a sight-glass, remove it, and pull off the screen, check and see if it's plugged; clean it, and try the pump again. If there is still nothing, then it will be time to rebuild or replace the pump. If it's the original pump, it's probably a good idea to do this anyway, modern gas is murder on those old diaphrams.

Hope this helps...

[Malditohooligan]

Thanks to you both for the help. I will try this stuff out later this week.

[56buickinga]

I've used starting fluid and poured in some gas directly in the carb. to no avail.
Thanks


Just curious have you checked spark? maybe a wire was disconnected when the carb was removed/installed. If you are shooting starting fluid into the carb and its not firing sounds like it could be something else.

On the carb side I have had a float needle hang up in the closed position after rebuilding the carb and reinstalling it. Highly unlikely but it has happened.