QuestionI have been trying to get a 1947 Lincoln continental convert ready for sale--car has been sitting for about 8 years without being started--managed to get it going but the electric fuel pump model AC EP11 made in 1976 runs but does not move the fuel--what is the first thing I can do to try and make the pump work again--gaskets all look ok? When I opened it up there was a very small amount of gas in it---also where is the best place to try and sell this type of car? Thanks so much!
AnswerThe pump should be making a clicking sound, if it is doing that, the pump itself is OK, but you may have some blockage in the fuel lines. Before you give up on the pump, disconnect the inlet line to the pump and blow back into it, with the gas cap removed from the car's tank. If you can hear bubbles inside the tank, the line leading up to the pump is OK, but if not, you'll have to investigate and clear the blockage. It could be in the fuel inlet line itself, or it could be inside the tank, in which case you might be able to clear it by using an air compressor to blow back into the tank to dislodge whatever has plugged the pickup or the line. Be sure the cap is off the tank, because the gas tank cannot stand any more than a few PSI - don't let the compressor blow back into a capped tank -it will ruin the tank!
If you DO hear bubbles back in the tank when you blow into the inlet line, we know that line is clear, and so the blockage might be in the pump itself - it has a simple screen filter that you can access by taking the top off the pump. This is easy, all you need is a screwdriver. Do that, and inspect the pump screen. If that is clear, then try blowing back into the pump outlet line from the carburetor end of the line, with the fuel pump end disconnected. That could be blocked too..
If you don't find any restriction in any of the lines or the fuel pump screen, try blowing (yourself, not the compressor!) into the carburetor inlet. If you feel a resistance, the fuel inlet line in the carburetor is stuck - try rapping on the fuel line where it enters the carburetor - that may free it up. If it still feels blocked, you'll have to take the top part of the carburetor off and investigate the float and needle valve - something is stuck in there.
These various possible causes can be investigated in any order - but do them all, you'll either find a problem or not. If you find no problem in the lines or valves, it is possible that the fuel pump diaphragm has failed, and you will have to replace it with a new one. NAPA has a 6 volt electric pump in stock -they are expensive, but it will cure the problem.
If this isn't clear enough, ask again and I'll try harder.
As to your last question, where to sell it, that depends on many factors (and I am certainly not an expert!). In my opinion, if the car is absolutely concours ready, what is called in the hobby a #1 car (and everyone thinks their car is a #1, until they read the actual requirements for a #1 car in the Old Cars Weekly Price Guide, then reality sinks in), but if it is truly a #1 car, the best price is probably going to come from one of the prestige auction houses - I recommend "R-M Auctions" as a well run outfit.
If the car is less than perfect, I think the best way to get maximum return from selling it is on eBay, but many will disagree with me. My advice is to take a jillion pictures, making sure you point out EVERY DEFECT!, and list all you know about the car. Start it with a low minimum bid, and no reserve, and it WILL sell - maybe not for as much as you'd like, but you WILL get fair market value for it. Get yourself a copy of the above price guide (and don't settle for a substitute!) and read it until you understand the condition codes, make an honest appraisal of the car yourself, (don't hire a "professional appraiser", in my opinion, they aren't going to tell you anything but what you want to hear!). If you need help evaluating the mechanical condition, ask someone who knows these particular cars to help you with an opinion. These cars are VERY expensive to restore - so you have to leave someone room to fix it up without breaking the bank! Join the Lincoln Continental Owner's Club and ask around the group - just listen for a while, don't believe everything you hear - you'll learn who is going to tell you the straight story by listening. I can already tell by the fact that it has an electric pump (and apparently the orignal mechanical pump is bypassed or missing), that the car has had fuel supply problems in the past, and anyone familiar with the cars will nod knowingly!
These are beautiful cars to look at, but mechanically, they are troublesome, and not particularly pleasant to drive, as you'll no doubt learn when you get it road worthy.
Good Luck.
Dick
