FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi guys, I have just re-fitted the engine in my Fc after re-build, its a warm 186 with twin downdraft strombergs, loving every minute of running her in but am finding that once tank fuel level gets to about 1/3 she starves for fuel when going up longer hills. I have been introduced to the somewhat embarassing fuel gauge peculiarity with the model so I'm not relying on the gauge and really running on empty  ::) when I fill the tank she runs perfectly up hill and down dale, I understand there is a pickup pipe inside the tank, I'm wondering if this might be fractured and sucking air when tank gets lower and fuel runs to rear of tank when going up hill ? Anyone had similar issues or any ideas would be appreciated.

I think you hit the nail on the head fractured line in the line id say .

Pete

The fuel tank in our ute had a broken pickup pipe that was several inches short and so did not pick up the last 2-3 gallons of fuel. Don't know how it was broken as was like it when we got it. Symptoms sound similar i.e. runs out of fuel when there is clearly plenty in the tank.

I finally determined this by rigging up a 1 litre can full of fuel with hole punch in top with a fuel hose touching the bottom of the can and feeding to the fuel pump. I wired the can next to the radiator. The car then ran fine for the full 1 litre of fuel - not a particularly safe way of doing things but I was considerably frustrated by the same problem. I then worked back checking until I got to the fuel tank. Pulled it out and removed the fuel sender and there was the problem looking at me  :(

It's not a particularly hard job to remove the tank, takes about 10 mins.

Cheers,
Trevor_B

So....... assuming  I rip my sender unit out, have a look and find my pickup is cracked or broken how do I fix it, I assume it would be neccessary to split the tank to access it let alone repair ?

Our ute did the same, it ended up being a LOT of crap in the tank.
Remove the tank and clean it out well if you haven't already.