gas tank

[Mose]

I just got a 1950 cj3a, it has been setting in a shed for 8 or 10 years. I got it started and it runs like a champ with a hose running from a 2 gallon gas can to the fuel pump but i can't get gas out of the gas tank. I drained the tank , it had about 3 or 4 gallons of old gas in it. I changed the fuel line. I stuck a piece of wire in the fuel line hole and felt something inside the tank. Is there a filter inside the tank that could be plugged, if so how do I get to it? Thanks Mose

<img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7874795672_c3235bb45e.jpg" width="500" height="331" alt="Willys"></a>

[Carls_jeep]

There's no filter in the tank, it's probably full of rust and old gas. Your better off to just replace the tank. You can get plastic or steel but not all are an exact size to the original so check around. Someone may post a dealer that sells a correct tank.

You need to replace the fuel line too.

[athawk11]

Hey Mose,

There is no filter, but there is a pick up tube. �It is basically shaped like an upside down 'U'. �If you're sticking a stiff wire up in there, the sharp turn of the 'U' may be impairing your wire. �Try a light gauge wire and see if you can get it to bend, and go all the way through the 'U'.

The other thing you might try is compressed air. �Shoot compressed air through the fuel line port. �Then feel if you have air coming out of the filler neck. �If you feel air, the pick up tube is not clogged. �If you don't, you may have to get a little aggressive with your wire. �The pick up tube is sodered in. �It's pretty tough, but you can damage it if you're not careful.

Come back and tell us what you did and if it worked. �

Good Luck!

Edit:::  By the way, that's a nice looking 3A.  Intoduce yourself in the "Once you've joined" section and post more photos.  We all like lot's of photos.

Tim

[Mose]

Thanks, I tried blowing air through it with a small air compressor, nothing would blow through. I've got a bigger one though will try it tomorrow. Will let you all know what happens. Mose

[johnrb3b]

Sounds like time for a new tank or a commercial cleanout of the old one.
Fuel and brakes are the two areas I don't mess with. They have to be right.
Old gas and crud in the tank can wreak havoc with your carburetor.

[Mose]

Gas tank update. I blew air up through the gas line fitting, air came out the filler spout. Every thing is good right? A mile or so down the road we sputtered to a stop. We hitched a ride back home' got the truck and pulled the jeep home. This afternoon I found a place that will boil the tank out. We will take it off in the morning and let him do his stuff. Mose

[athawk11]

That's a good plan Mose.

You probably dislodged your clog.  Eventually, the crud will get sucked back in unless the tank is clean.   Some of the other folks suggest a new tank, but if yours is in good condition after a thorough cleaning, why buy a repro?  

The tank boiler may give you insight on the condition of your tank.  They have probably seen it all...the good...the bad...and the ugly.

Tim

[johnrb3b]

The best story I've heard of "floating crud" causing fuel feed problems was on the 3B board. One guy had the same problem. The 3B would run a mile or two and sputter to a stop. Thorough testing proved it was a fuel feed issue. He would blow out the fuel line backwards from the pump and it would show clear. He'd drive and it would die in a mile or two.

He finally drained the tank and pulled it. Turned upside down with a bright light inside, he finally found the problem - a big ole, dead bumble bee. It would float around, get sucked into the fuel pickup, get blown back out by the reverse air - you get the picture.

Everybody got a good laugh from that one. �;D

Moral of the story, make sure the tank is clean and EMPTY of all little floating bits of stuff. It doesn't take much to block the mouth of the fuel pickup tube.