Vacuum tank on a '32 -- Question....

[Jon B]

A new member of our chapter, acquired a '32 Hudson Eight a few years ago and is delving into it right now. He's a gearhead, but totally unacquainted with "original" cars of that era (and Hudsons!), being essentially a street rodder. But he seems willing and enthusiastic so I'd like to help and encourage him as much as I can.

One thing that mystifies him is the vacuum tank. He had bought a six volt electric fuel pump and a pressure regulator which he set at 1 pound pressure. He installed this in the line before the pump, but it still force too much gas into the carb, and overloaded it.

Would 1 lb. of external pressure still be too much?

Would this indicate that maybe the vacuum pump was okay (and the extra pressure simply wasn't needed)?

Would it mean that the inlet or needle valve in the vacuum tank is not working?

I realize that this is not much to go on, but I wonder if anyone had attempted the electric fuel pump route, and thus might be able to offer enlightenment?

Thanks for any ideas I can pass along!

[oldhudsons]

Vac. tanks are very simple & you should be able to get it to work; check the vac. hoses. If you haven't taken it apart do so & check the float to make sure it isn't leaking. You should have a simple lever between the vac. tank & the carb. so that when done driving, turn the lever so gas won't continue to trickle down to the carb. & thus lose the "prime".
If you feel it is necessary or wise to have a elec. fuel pump as a back up, put it back by the gas tank. I used a under dash switch to turn it on/off & for instance if the the bowl at the bottom of the tank was empty, hit the switch to fill the tank - once the vac. tank filled (should only turn it on for a few seconds), then turn lever between vac. tank & carb. & it should start right up.
As an afterthought, a '32 is too rare for anyone to hot rod or significantly alter, as well as valuable!

[Geoff C., N.Z.]

Jon, do you mean that he is feeding pressurised fuel into the vacuum tank directly? This is a recipe for disaster, and is totally un-necessary if the tank is working correctly. The tank holds a small resevoir of fuel which is fed to the carburettor by gravity.

[oldhudsons]

<<<<<<<< agrees with Geoff!

[frank spring]

Jon, I can't add as I also use the vacumn tank on both my 32 and 33, but if he has other 32 issues you can keep me in mind.

[Jon B]

Ed, I think you have spoken to this guy before (on the phone or at Hershey last fall where I met him at the booth), he lives in the D.C. area and just sent me a photo of his car. It's a 4-door (no convertible, sorry!) but a real solid looking car and came out of a warehouse where it was stored for maybe 35 years! A real find!

[Billy K.TN.]

Jon you stated he installed the 1 # regulator before the pump. It must be between the pump and carb. Better to get the vac, tank working.