[DeTomaso] NPC - Weird Failure

[Christopher Kimball]

It is amazing how one, tiny thing can disable an entire car.  Kind of like the pebble that took down Goliath!

Glad you got it fixed.

Sincerely,

Chris



Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S9+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone



-------- Original message --------
From: Will Kooiman <will.kooiman at gmail.com>
Date: 8/22/22 5:01 AM (GMT-08:00)
To: DeTomaso_List <DeTomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
Subject: [DeTomaso] NPC - Weird Failure

I bought a Contemporary Classic 427 Cobra replica about 7 years ago.



I love this car.  When the weather is nice, it’s like driving a 4-wheel Harley with open pipes.  It’s very fun to cruise in the morning when the sun is coming up, or in the late evening when the stars are just start coming out, or really whenever it isn’t super hot or raining.  It’s even fun when it’s cold outside.



But it has never felt like a big block in a 2,200 lb car.  The 428 made lots of noise, but it pulled like a 289.  So, I replaced it with a 427 (482 actually) and a Tremec 5-speed.



I put quite a few miles on this engine, but it wasn’t running that great either.  It had lots of flat spots.  It would pull very hard for a few seconds, then it would go dead.  I didn’t push it hard, because the Jaguar half shafts in the rear were twisted about 30 degrees.  So, I figured I would drive easy until I got the half shafts replaced.



I drove to Arkansas from Miami during Covid.  On the way back, it died.  It would not run – no way, no how.  There was no gas to the carburetor.  I figured either severe vapor lock or maybe the fuel pump went out.  I towed it from Gainesville back home.  After deliberation, I decided to drop the fuel tank, and check everything tank to carburetor.  In the process, I would also change the half shafts.



The first weird thing I discovered was the fuel line at the tank.  The tank is a nice, aluminum, baffled tank, with a fuel cell style oval cap.  It has -8 bulkhead fittings for fuel and vent.  But the flex hose that attaches to the -8 siphon is -6 with weird fittings that reduce down to about -4.  I replaced all of this with an in tank pump that regulates to 60psi.  It has a -6 outlet, which is plenty at 60psi.  I hooked it all up, and I still had 0psi at the engine.  I checked the pressure at the pump – 60psi – so, yes I hooked it all up correctly.



There is a -6 male union right in front of the rear tire.  It attaches the flex line to a hard line that goes to the front of the car.  I checked that and noticed the union was cocked to one side.  I removed it, but had to use wrenches the whole time.  That was the first indication something was wrong.  The threads on the hard line side were stripped.  It took me a while to figure out what happened, mostly because it was hard to see (still no lift).  The tube nut on the hard line had split – most likely from over tightening.  When it split, it caused the fitting to cock to one side and block the fuel.  It was effectively a shut off valve.



I have only had time for a short test run to the gas station, but I suspect the flat spots are gone, which will be nice.



Disclaimer – I had never had any of this apart before, so I didn’t break it.  I do lots of dumb stuff, but not this time.



At any rate, I now have perfect pressure, tank to carburetor, and it’s all wrapped in DEI fuel line wrap to keep it cool.  I also have super strong half shafts, so I’m ready to start cruising topless again.

-------------- next part --------------
   It is amazing how one, tiny thing can disable an entire car.  Kind of
   like the pebble that took down Goliath!
   Glad you got it fixed.
   Sincerely,
   Chris
   Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S9+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable
   smartphone
   -------- Original message --------
   From: Will Kooiman <will.kooiman at gmail.com>
   Date: 8/22/22 5:01 AM (GMT-08:00)
   To: DeTomaso_List <DeTomaso at server.detomasolist.com>
   Subject: [DeTomaso] NPC - Weird Failure

   I bought a Contemporary Classic 427 Cobra replica about 7 years ago.

   I love this car.  When the weather is nice, it's like driving a 4-wheel
   Harley with open pipes.  It's very fun to cruise in the morning when
   the sun is coming up, or in the late evening when the stars are just
   start coming out, or really whenever it isn't super hot or raining.
   It's even fun when it's cold outside.

   But it has never felt like a big block in a 2,200 lb car.  The 428 made
   lots of noise, but it pulled like a 289.  So, I replaced it with a 427
   (482 actually) and a Tremec 5-speed.

   I put quite a few miles on this engine, but it wasn't running that
   great either.  It had lots of flat spots.  It would pull very hard for
   a few seconds, then it would go dead.  I didn't push it hard, because
   the Jaguar half shafts in the rear were twisted about 30 degrees.  So,
   I figured I would drive easy until I got the half shafts replaced.

   I drove to Arkansas from Miami during Covid.  On the way back, it
   died.  It would not run - no way, no how.  There was no gas to the
   carburetor.  I figured either severe vapor lock or maybe the fuel pump
   went out.  I towed it from Gainesville back home.  After deliberation,
   I decided to drop the fuel tank, and check everything tank to
   carburetor.  In the process, I would also change the half shafts.

   The first weird thing I discovered was the fuel line at the tank.  The
   tank is a nice, aluminum, baffled tank, with a fuel cell style oval
   cap.  It has -8 bulkhead fittings for fuel and vent.  But the flex hose
   that attaches to the -8 siphon is -6 with weird fittings that reduce
   down to about -4.  I replaced all of this with an in tank pump that
   regulates to 60psi.  It has a -6 outlet, which is plenty at 60psi.  I
   hooked it all up, and I still had 0psi at the engine.  I checked the
   pressure at the pump - 60psi - so, yes I hooked it all up correctly.

   There is a -6 male union right in front of the rear tire.  It attaches
   the flex line to a hard line that goes to the front of the car.  I
   checked that and noticed the union was cocked to one side.  I removed
   it, but had to use wrenches the whole time.  That was the first
   indication something was wrong.  The threads on the hard line side were
   stripped.  It took me a while to figure out what happened, mostly
   because it was hard to see (still no lift).  The tube nut on the hard
   line had split - most likely from over tightening.  When it split, it
   caused the fitting to cock to one side and block the fuel.  It was
   effectively a shut off valve.

   I have only had time for a short test run to the gas station, but I
   suspect the flat spots are gone, which will be nice.

   Disclaimer - I had never had any of this apart before, so I didn't
   break it.  I do lots of dumb stuff, but not this time.

   At any rate, I now have perfect pressure, tank to carburetor, and it's
   all wrapped in DEI fuel line wrap to keep it cool.  I also have super
   strong half shafts, so I'm ready to start cruising topless again.