Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

The fuel pump may be weak, flex line may be leaky, carburetor may leak fuel when sitting, filters may be clogged. Any filter bowl on the suction die can leak air in and make fuel delivery uncertain. Choke issues can also make starting more difficult. Under most conditions, the car should start readily, even after sitting idle for several days or more.

If there is no sign of moisture or leaking visible on the outside then chances are the gaskets are OK.

The questions and reasons for disappearing fuel which have become a somewhat common complaint are:
is a valve inside the pump not tightly sealing and is letting fuel leak or gravity flow back into the line or is there an issue with the diaphragm that is letting fuel go into the oil pan or is the modern gas which is more volatile than the old stuff "boiling" or quickly leaking off after a run when it is sitting in the heat soaked carb and filter.