Re: 359 Straight Eight Engine

Posted by Fred Puhn On 2010/12/23 10:50:49

Good comments about old gas. The chances of it being OK are near zero. Gas is cheap so just replace it. Getting the old gas out may be tough however because the drain plug in the bottom of the tank may be stuck and may break the tank if a big wrench torque is applied. I have sometimes been able to drain old gas by removing a fuel fitting or a hose down low on the car.

My first collector car was a 1952 Hudson Hornet that had been sitting for many years. It was a low mileage original with a bad engine. I overhauled the engine and all the accessories like a precious museum piece. Dual carburetors and fuel pump were rebuilt 100% like new. When the time came I put gas in the original "dry" unmolested tank and started the car. It ran like a watch for 30 seconds or so and then stopped. I started it again and never got it to run very long. I finally sold it to a car collector after showing him that it would start but not run for long.

He later told me what the problem was. The gas tank had been pretty full when the car was parked. Over many years the gas evaporated leaving its tar-like residue in the tank. The new gas I put in dissolved the gunk and running it deposited it into the newly rebuilt carburetors and fuel pump. After the tank was removed and cleaned and the carbs and fuel pump overhauled a second time the car was good to go.

Lesson learned. Always put a filter in the fuel line coming from the old fuel tank. If the filter plugs up you may have to drop the gas tank and have it cleaned. Many radiator shops can clean it and test for leaks. Good luck.