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#21
Technical / Authenticity / Re: Fuel filter bubbles bowl n...
Last post by Lexi - Today at 09:59:13 AM
Quote from: Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373 on Today at 09:07:27 AMThat always bothered me too. Our 55 has an electric and does the same thing. It seems to fill up more after longer drives. We tend to forget that they run off the fuel in the carb bowl, not the fuel filter. As long as there's gas in the carb, she'll run.
However, I admit, I did a lot of troubleshooting on it and finally gave up because it ran so well.

One test you can do is to pull the line at the tank and plug it. Then fill the line with mineral spirits at the pump side. Then pressurize the line with shop air. Any leaks in your hard line will show up that way. In my case it was bad under the clips. Small leaks won't show normally because the pump is sucking fuel. This test pressurizes the line and makes it easier to see.


Good advice. A buddy of mine has owned four 1956 Cadillacs and all ran with a near empty glass fuel bowl. His cars performed well. That said, like Jeff and I, he could never identify the issue causing the low gas level in the fuel filter bowl. Wonder if now it is partially due to the new gasoline blends? Also, in our cars the fuel filter is situated in what is probably one of the most hottest spots in the engine bay. Perhaps why Cadillac literature at least for '56 shows the glass bowl mounted "up", in an attempt to keep rising heat away from the bowl. My buddy wrapped his fuel lines to insulate them from the heat but he still wound up with this near empty glass fuel filter bowl issue. Clay/Lexi
#22
Jim,
I think if you install the link into the shock arm and install the shock, you will not be able to get the bottom pin into the bracket on the axle housing. I suggest installing the shock, then moving the shock arm manually to get both pins on the link to line up with their holes. Don't tighten anything until all parts are in place, in case any repositioning is needed.
#23
That always bothered me too. Our 55 has an electric and does the same thing. It seems to fill up more after longer drives. We tend to forget that they run off the fuel in the carb bowl, not the fuel filter. As long as there's gas in the carb, she'll run.
However, I admit, I did a lot of troubleshooting on it and finally gave up because it ran so well.

One test you can do is to pull the line at the tank and plug it. Then fill the line with mineral spirits at the pump side. Then pressurize the line with shop air. Any leaks in your hard line will show up that way. In my case it was bad under the clips. Small leaks won't show normally because the pump is sucking fuel. This test pressurizes the line and makes it easier to see.
#24
Sorry to hear about your situation, but glad you are going to keep the old girl.
I keep it simple and use mid-grade with Marvel's in it. And yes, it has ethanol.
All the best.
#25
George, FWIW when I do (any) rocker arm cover or pan gasket replacement I typically run a small bead of 3M Weatherstripping adhesive (yellow) along the cover where the gasket is going to sit and then as I locate the gasket along the cover "rail" I insert 1/4" bolts through the holes to keep the gasket in place while the adhesive dries. As fr as the tabs fitting into the notches in the cover, they could be trimmed.
Greg Surfas
#26
Restoration Corner / Re: 1956 Sedan deVille
Last post by Chicken Coupe - Today at 08:27:23 AM
I thank you for your response.  Again. Job well done.  Keep up the good work.
#27
First of all thank you so much Clay for the detailed procedure on how to check the fuel system. Also everyone else who offered advice.

We checked the fuel pressure and it is 5.5 gave the big filter nut an extra tweak. Still getting the percolator effect with bubbles in the filter bowl. The Cadillac idles fine and when we gave it more gas it runs fine and doesn't sound at all like it's running out of gas. The reason for the concern is that he has been rebuilding engines for 30 years and has never seen this before but I may ad this is his first 331 Cadillac engine. So hopefully tomorrow I will be able to take Annie out for a test drive being followed by my better half just in case.

Regards,
Bob Kielar
#28
General Discussion / Re: New to the Club and Need S...
Last post by James Landi - Today at 08:16:40 AM
Old coolant can appear to be healthy and green, but it can turn to acid over time... have the coolant changed and have the cooling system flushed by a shop where that is their focus.  Radiators get plugged with scale, and only begin to become destructive when it's hot out, you're stuck in traffic, and your a/c is on.  This kind of shop also services a/c systems.  If your car still "blows cold," ask the shop if they will top off your a/c system with r12.  A few shops still do, but this refrigerant has been nationally banned for decades.

Regarding the "tune up," several important parts are generally neglected. The vacuum advance on the distributor is one such part. Easily checked on your car because of the metal sliding panel on the rotor cap, you can observe the stator plate moving as you advance the throttle. If it does NOT move, the vacuum advance needs to be replaced---your car will run much better, and you'll save gas on every mile you drive.

There's also an issue with the timing gear-- produced almost 60 years ago, the gear's teeth were manufactured with a coating of plastic, that over time, breaks off.  This timing gear and related parts should be replaced, and while doing so, the water pump can be replaced, and the radiator can be serviced off of the car. 

Hope my narrative doesn't scare you off.  Of course if you don't drive the car long distances and you nurse it along, viz: don't "floor it," and baby it, you can defer some of this costly stuff I've mentioned... all depends on how you wish to use it and what your expectations are when you're using it.  Hope this helps, James

#29
For Sale - Parts / Re: 56 cadillac 6 way power se...
Last post by Tonycoco48 - Today at 07:48:59 AM
Still for sale?
#30
For Sale - Parts / Re: 1956 BODY PARTS AND SHEET ...
Last post by Tonycoco48 - Today at 07:44:54 AM
Hello, I'm looking for a rear license plate light assembly for a 56. I think 54-56 are the same.