Re: [AMC-list] so many issues 71 hornet wagon

["Eddie Stakes" <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Linda, several problems might be at play here. The first culprit (to me) would be the 
vacuum fuel pump. Possibly the first thing I would do is replace it with mechanical fuel 
pump, about $20 at Auto Zone. You will have to reroute your vacuum wiper hose somewhere to 
intake, not a problem though. But will receive constant flow to carb, not occasional. I 
have had this problem with several AMCs before though. And all were eliminated with 
changing to mechanical fuel pump. Something else mentioned below by Joe Fulton is the 
lines.

On the 71 Matador 2 door I had with 14,000 miles, it was also a vacuum wipered car. Didn't 
think much of it, but was hard starting, even with new carb, and always seemed starved for 
gas. I put new carb on it, and new fuel pump, mechanical, and rerouted the vacuum wiper 
hose directly into intake, no issues. However, on the Matador, if you get under it, the 
car has two metal fuel lines, the first one is from gas tank sender to about right under 
door. Then other from same to fuel pump. There was a small, about 3 inch, fuel line 
connecting the two under the car near door, looked fine but had never been replaced since 
1971, so when touched, it was brittle, and when squeezed, pourous! So I decided to replace 
the small 5 inch line from sending unit at tank to line, and also replace this small 3 
inch connector, 'hidden' (because I had never seen a AMC with a connector there) line, and 
any fuel lines from fuel pump to carb.

I may add that I run not one, but TWO clear see thru fuel filters on all my AMCs, one of 
them between the frame and fuel pump in the engine bay, the other right before carb, even 
with tansk that I have had professionally redone, ones a year I change them out, and has 
never failed that the lower one usually catches something the upper one is 2nd line of 
defense however.

Anyhows, the 71 Matador with 'constant' flow of gas was amazing, just night and day after 
different fuel pump and lines. I drove that car a total of 250 miles in 11 years I owned 
it, but wanted to keep miles under 15,000. Still, I would take it out on Beltway 8 and 
open it up, and there was no hesitation and that 304cid/210hp engine simply flew. And 
whenever I started the vehicle, cold or hot day, simply press gas once or twice, and it 
would crank up easily from fuel in pot, before then it was a battle of wits and would I 
burn up starter before car started, or how many cans of started fluid would use before 
idle!

Anyways, it seems that simply changing out that duel fuel pump will solve your issues, 
keep us posted.
Eddi eStakes


From: Joe Fulton <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Rambler Nash Jeep and familyAMC <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-list] So many issues...71 hornet wagon
Message-ID: <977653.20878.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

You may have a leak in the fuel line on the suction side of the pump.  One possible source 
for the leak would be the rubber hose which connects the fuel tank outlet to the metal 
fuel line leading up to the pump.  That short section of line may never have been changed 
since the day the car was made.  Also, your fuel pump could be worn or damaged and might 
need to be replaced.

Joe Fulton

--- On Thu, 2/25/10, linda sufficool <greenhornetlady@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: linda sufficool <greenhornetlady@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [AMC-list] So many issues...71 hornet wagon
> To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 7:06 PM
> ?I am needing some help with this
> new car. The gas bleeds back to the tank every time I turn
> off the motor. Is this normal? I have a vacuum system on my
> car.. wipers.. and they are run from the fuel pump.
> Occasionally.. once a week... I cant get gas to the carb..
> empty filter and wont start like it is out of gas. I prime
> the carb, nothing. I disconnected the fuel line to the fuel
> pump and poured gas to the pump. reconnected it all and
> primed the carb again.. it started and it pulled gas from
> the tank. When I got to the gas station, I could only get a
> few gallons in it. So... it wasn't empty after all.. Any
> ideas???
>
> greenhornetlady


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