Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Got my customer's '38 Packard Six back in for a fuel pump problem. It was leaking externally, so I bought a kit from Max Merritt and rebuilt the thing.
Car now runs good, but after you drive it long enough for it to heat up, it won't restart after you shut it off.
It acts like it hasn't got any gas in the carb, but if you pump it, it doesn't take but about 2 pumps of the pedal until it starts acting flooded.
Will restart eventually after about 10-15 minutes, and starts fine after it's been sitting long enough to get cool.

Anyone got any cures for vapor lock that are more professional looking than clothes pins on the gas line?

Anyone got a source for a fibre carb insulator to space the carb away from the manifold?

Car is still 6v pos ground, so an electric pump is out.

I have an electric fuel pump on my 6 volt pos ground!

Electric fuel pumps for 6-volt positive ground are very commonly available from numerous sources, the majority of 6-volt cars were positive ground. But your comment that two pumps of the pedal seems to flood it tends to discount vapor lock as the problem if that's a true observation; in any case have you check the manifold heat riser valve? How about the function of the automatic choke and the choke unloader? And I wouldn't totally discount a coil or condenser problem.

Also, the "hot start" procedure for my '37 directs depressing the gas pedal when cranking a hot engine.

Hey Old Crow:

Given the carburetor will flood when pumped means you shouldn't have a fuel problem.

I suggest going to your local NAPA and buying the KD adjustable spark tester. You should have at least 20,000 volts of spark when cranking a hot motor.

If your spark is good then do a hot cranking vacuum or compression test to check if the motor is losing compression when hot.

Note as well the owner's manual advises that extended cranking with the accelerator floorboarded may be required with a hot motor.