High Speed cut-out (fuel system problems)52 Special

**153buick** · 10-21-2010, 11:09 AM

Hi gang!
I have a problem with and 52 Special with the straight 8. After doing some repairs to it getting it up and running , major engine repair,boiling out the fuel tank, total carb rebuild and fuel pump rebuild. It has a peculiar fuel related symptom . I will throw in a couple of questions /symptoms hopefully this will make a clearer picture.
1. When the engine is warmed up ,cursing down the highway about 70mph after a few miles the engine begins to cut out ,by pumping the accelerator i can keep it going until it gradually slows down to about 40mph. After a delay it runs like a champ, this continues over and over and is not noticeable at in town speeds.
2. After the car set for a few months ,it could not be started (no fuel), i had to pour fuel down the carb to get it running ,finally the fuel pump started pumping fuel (never had a problem of this sort with an automobile before)
3. Is the accumulator located on the outlet side of the fuel pump necessary ? It has long been removed and plugged off.
Thanks in advance

**153buick** · 10-21-2010, 11:32 AM

Hi gang!
I have a problem with and 52 Special with the straight 8. After doing some repairs to it getting it up and running , major engine repair,boiling out the fuel tank, total carb rebuild and fuel pump rebuild. It has a peculiar fuel related symptom . I will throw in a couple of questions /symptoms hopefully this will make a clearer picture.
1. When the engine is warmed up ,cursing down the highway about 70mph after a few miles the engine begins to cut out ,by pumping the accelerator i can keep it going until it gradually slows down to about 40mph. After a delay it runs like a champ, this continues over and over and is not noticeable at in town speeds.
2. After the car set for a few months ,it could not be started (no fuel), i had to pour fuel down the carb to get it running ,finally the fuel pump started pumping fuel (never had a problem of this sort with an automobile before)
3. Is the accumulator located on the outlet side of the fuel pump necessary ? It has long been removed and plugged off.
Thanks in advance

**Koala** · 10-21-2010, 01:46 PM

I would guess that the valves in the fuel pump are sticking. I recently purchased a fuel pump kit for my 56 and the new valves supplied had this problem. I put the old ones back in and no further problem

Koala

**Bob** · 10-21-2010, 06:28 PM

The first step would be to test the pump for volume and pressure. You will need a pressure guage to read the 4 1/2 - 5 pounds required.

The instructions are here:
http://www.teambuick.com/reference/l.../files/3-d.pdf

**njlimbaugh** · 10-21-2010, 06:45 PM

The symptoms could well be caused by a partially blocked fuel line or fuel filter which will allow only enough fuel to reach the carb to power up to some fixed RPM level.

**telriv** · 10-22-2010, 04:01 AM

If the car has a manual trans. it has 3.90 gears in the rear end. In '52 very few roads were capable of cruising speeds of 70MPH. The engine is turning RPM's which it really wasn't designed to do for extended period of times. Doesn't solve your fuel delivery problems, but something to think about.

**153buick** · 10-22-2010, 02:44 PM

Thanks in advance all , I have not had time to work on the car today. I do believe the fuel pump could be the culprit. The kit is form "cars" I'm not really impressed with some of their replacement parts, they get the job done but still believe they are of inferior quality compared to over the counter auto parts.
I disagree with the fact the engine /car was not designed to cruse, It has a Dynaflow and gets up to highway speed without any effort, that is a clear indicator this car was top of the line in it's day and made to cruse.
1. The original fuel cap ?? appears not to be vented like the replacement , could this be the problem / or part of the problem ??

Thanks in advance