What's the proper orientation for the fuel pickup "tub" in the fuel cell?

[Cobra4B]

Inside of my fuel cell the picup is inside a black box with 3 ball valve type things thst prevent fuel starvation under load. There are only these "balls" on 3 sides. Is there a correct orientation for this piece? We were having fuel starvation issues again at VIR on Saturday even w/ a brand new fuel pump. I yanked the pickup again and removed the filter from the end. I'd cleaned it once, but decided to ditch it. Wasn't sure how to put the black box back in but used common sense and set it up so the ball valves are on the right side, left side, and rear.

Thanks,
Brian

[Jim woodruff]

The pick up goes in the center of the cell toward the front. The most imortant thing I found from Fuel Safe was every time you take the cell apart change the pick up and return hoses. When I did this all my fuel problems went away. The return hose must be at the bottom of the cell under the fuel level (staic electricty). The hose is 3/8" Parker 301. Cheap fix for under $10.00.

[Cobra4B]

Well that's interesting considering I have no return hose. I'll fix that over the winter. That may have been the cause of our fuel cutout issues. The return is just plummed into the metal top of the cell. There's no line off of the fitting like there is for the pickup.

[AIMidwest27]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

Well that's interesting considering I have no return hose. I'll fix that over the winter. That may have been the cause of our fuel cutout issues. The return is just plumbed into the metal top of the cell. There's no line off of the fitting like there is for the pickup.

Brian,
If I remember, your car is carb'ed (I think we have a similar setup or maybe your building a similar set up, can't remember which) ? If so, I assume your using a return-less regulator and a holley pump with a bypass so you don't need a return line. When you experience "starvation" what is your fuel pressure ? Are you using jet extenders on the rear float bowl and how often do you check the float level. If everything is cool with the plumbing, clean filter, fuel pressure and, float level, you might not have a fuel issue (maybe electrical issue instead).

I placed my surge box at the very back of the cell with the inlets left, right and facing forward (but I don't think that is where your problem is). My rational is that the car spends more time under acceleration than braking therefore the surge box will be full most of the time (but we know this is only important under low fuel in the tank conditions). If "starvation" is happening and you have a 1/2 tank of gas, chances are the problem is not in the cell (provided all the above conditions are met).

If you don't have a Fuel Pressure Gauge, or If your still FI then.... never mind. I have a very simple mind, therefore I have to use a Carb and a few select analog gauges (sure makes life easier).

[Cobra4B]

Originally Posted by AIMidwest27

Brian,
If I remember, your car is carb'ed (I think we have a similar setup or maybe your building a similar set up, can't remember which) ? If so, I assume your using a return-less regulator and a holley pump with a bypass so you don't need a return line. When you experience "starvation" what is your fuel pressure ? Are you using jet extenders on the rear float bowl and how often do you check the float level. If everything is cool with the plumbing, clean filter, fuel pressure and, float level, you might not have a fuel issue (maybe electrical issue instead).

I placed my surge box at the very back of the cell with the inlets left, right and facing forward (but I don't think that is where your problem is). My rational is that the car spends more time under acceleration than braking therefore the surge box will be full most of the time (but we know this is only important under low fuel in the tank conditions). If "starvation" is happening and you have a 1/2 tank of gas, chances are the problem is not in the cell (provided all the above conditions are met).

If you don't have a Fuel Pressure Gauge, or If your still FI then.... never mind. I have a very simple mind, therefore I have to use a Carb and a few select analog gauges (sure makes life easier).

Still stock 5.0 w/ FI... building up the motor and going carb over the winter. But yeah the fuel system will be re-done to go w/ the new setup etc.

We'll see what happens... we never got to test the car after yanking the pickup screen because we noticed the broken swaybar and packed it up.

[AIMidwest27]

Originally Posted by Cobra4B

Still stock 5.0 w/ FI... building up the motor and going carb over the winter. But yeah the fuel system will be re-done to go w/ the new setup etc.

We'll see what happens... we never got to test the car after yanking the pickup screen because we noticed the broken swaybar and packed it up.

You will be thrilled to pull all that BS EFI wiring out of the car and get back to basics of a reliable Carb'ed motor. Let me know if you want any opinions on parts to make the conversion.

[Cobra4B]

^ Thanks for the offer... allready have all the parts in the garage or on order.