Fuel problem and another

[pgilbeau]

Found a couple problems on my way home from the Meet and Greet. Got almost all the way home and it started to sputter like it wasn't getting fuel, limped off the highway and into a parting lot. This is the third time since April this has happened. The first time I cleaned the inline filter and replaced the fuel pump, seemed to solve the problem and off to Moab I went. The next time was in Moab and it started to sputter coming off the trail. Had a buddy tow me down the exit road and after a bit I was able to get it started and cruise back to camp. This last time after I shut it off for about 5 minutes I was able to start it up and went to a gas station as the gauge was reading 1/4 tank. Filled it up and drove home fine. Looking back at least 2 of 3 times I know I was at a quarter tank or less. That being said I am thinking it is maybe something with the tank like a broken pick up tube. Everything else in the fuel system is pretty much new except the tank. I have been pondering a fuel cell for awhile and now seems like the time to do it. Been looking at a Jaz 22 gallon. Any recommendations or anything I should look for? The second thing I noticed while I was checking the fuel pump was a knock in the engine. I haven't even tried to diagnose it yet but was planning a motor swap down the road, if its a rod knock think I will push up the swap. I have 3 builder engine currently, need to decide the pro/cons of each - currently have a 302 and roller 351W. I want to do a 408 but not sure if its in the budget at the moment, thinking other options could be a mild 351W or 347.

[BroncoRaider]

Do you have a fuel return line back to your tank? I’m wondering if it might be some cape lock due to warm fuel going back to the tank and not having enough cool fuel inside to lower the temp back down. Just balling. Others on here know way more than I do.

[Jesus_man]

What fuel pump(s) do you have and where is it located?

[pgilbeau]

No fuel return line and was running the Fitech fuel pump on the frame rail. When the Fitech died I put it a similar none Fitech. This set up ran fine for a year, just thinking something with the tank because it is the only thing that was never changed/replaced and it has been banged around on rocks some.

[Jesus_man]

My fuel issue was very intermitant as well. I had two pumps and I believe the LP pump never kept up with HP pump. The starvation of fuel caused to HP pump to get hot and either boil fuel or simply fail.

Where on the frame rail is your pump? How close to the tank?
A lack of return line could be hard on your pump as well as it is either dead heading or on and off so much.

Could be an issue with the tank as well but hard to check even with the tank dropped.

[pgilbeau]

I guess I was leaning toward the tank because it has run fine for a long time and the issue seems to happen when I hit around 1/4" tank. This past time I limped to a gas station and filled it up and it was fine.

[pgilbeau]

I went back and verifed that I actually do have a return line so that shouldn't be an issue. I am wondering if the way it is set up could be an issue, the Fitech instructions say to get the pump as low as possible below the tank. My set up currently has it about 2 feet from the tank on the frame rail which is not entirely below the tank. I don't have the Fitech pump anymore as it was the first to die and I have one from another EFI set up that is rated well enough for the Fitech. Suggestions on good fuel pumps if I have to change it? I don't really want to buy another Fitech one.

[horseplay]

You might want to think about installing a low pressure suction pump right close to the fuel tank outlet to supply your high pressure pump. In tank is obviously best for fuel supply.

[pgilbeau]

You might want to think about installing a low pressure suction pump right close to the fuel tank outlet to supply your high pressure pump. In tank is obviously best for fuel supply.

I hear you there I just don't know anything about my tank as it was in the Bronco when I got it, still thinking might be a broken pick up. Going to be calling JAZ about getting a fuel cell, unfortunatly it looks like if I want a sending unit it may have to be custom.