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Technical
Fuel System

General Maintenance - Fuel System

The fuel system consists of a petrol tank, a mechanical fuel pump operated from the engine camshaft, and a carburettor of the downdraught type with the necessary fuel connecting lines.

A fuel tank is located either:

  • at the rear of the car beneath the luggage compartment (Saloon and Estate)
  • at the rear of the vehicle on the left hand side (Van)

The quantity of fuel in the tank is registered on the fuel gauge when the ignition is switch “on”. The gauge is designed to eliminate needle fluctuation whilst the ignition is switch on.

The fuel tank filler is located :

  • to the right of the rear number plate (Saloon and Estate)
  • to the rear of the van on the on the left hand side (Van)

The filler cap may be easily removed by turning it in an anti clockwise direction. Make sure that the filler cap is replaced securely and see that the vent hole is clear of obstructions at all times, otherwise failure of the fuel supply to the carburettor may result.

The engine is designed to operate on premium grade fuel. An optional low compression cylinder head is available should it be necessary to use low grade fuel.

Fuel Pump
This is mounted on the right hand side of the cylinder block, is entirely automatic in action. It requires little attention other than cleaning the filter screen regularly and removal of sediment from the pump chamber. The fuel pump can be one of two types. One type had a domed metal cover and the other an inverted glass sediment bowl.
Clean the Fuel Pump - (5000 Mile Service)

Domed Cover Type
To service the domed cover type, remove the screw from the top of the pump and detach the cover and filter screen. Clean any sediment from the pump body. Clean the screen in petrol and replace it on the fuel pump body with the reinforcement upwards. Check the gaskets to ensure that they are in good condition and will make an airtight joint. Renew the gaskets if necessary. Refit the domed lid and tighten the screw.

fuel pump
Glass Sediment Bowl Type
To service the glass sediment bowl type pump, slacken the clamp nut at the top of the pump and remove he bowl and filter screen. Clean any sediment from the pump body. Clean the screen in petrol and replace it on the fuel pump body with the reinforcement upwards. Check the gasket to ensure that it is in good condition and will make an airtight joint. Renew the gasket if necessary.

Replace the glass sediment bowl and tighten the clamp nut

fuel pump
Checking Fuel Supply to the Carburettor
If insufficient petrol is reaching the carburettor, the following points should be checked:

Check that there is sufficient fuel in the petrol tank.
Check that the filter screen and fuel pump have not become fouled with sediment.
Check that there is no air leak at any point in the fuel line connections, which would result in air being drawn into the system, so that the pump will not prime.

A comparatively simple test for fuel delivery can be carried out by disconnecting the fuel feed pipe to the carburettor, when a distinct spurt of petrol should be evident for every two revolutions of the engine.
Warning – Petrol is highly flammable. Please ensure you take suitable precautions if following Ford’s 50 year old advice.

Carburettor Type A The Carburettor
(fitted prior to May 1962 Type A)
The carburettor is of a downdraft type and incorporates a special two-stage starting device on the left hand side of the carburettor body.

All adjustments are made at the time of manufacture and, with the exception of the idling adjustment, will remain permanently correct unless disturbed. The idling adjustment should be checked after the car has been “run in”.

All petrol jets are accessible from the outside of the carburettor and they should be removed and cleaned periodically. Obstructions should be cleared by blowing through the jets and passages with a tyre pump.

On no account use wire or anything else which could enlarge the jet orifices, as the jets are calibrated to very fine limits and not only economy, but general engine performance can be upset by enlarging the jets in this manner.

The special two-stage starting device on the side of the main body must be used with care, as it is designed to provide a very rich mixture for cold starting, when the choke control is pulled right out. Great care must therefore be taken to follow the correct starting instructions, otherwise excess petrol will pass into the engine and may cause premature engine wear.

Carburettor Type A The Carburettor with Accelerator Pump
(fitted after May 1962 Type B)
The carburettor is of a downdraft type and incorporates an accelerator pump, an economy device controlled by manifold depression and a choke valve of the semi-automatic strangler type with a friction locking choke control.

All adjustments are made at the time of manufacture and, with the exception of the idling adjustment, will remain permanently correct unless disturbed. The idling adjustment should be checked after the car has been “run in”.

The air cleaner used with this carburettor is of the wire gauze type, except on certain models where a paper element cleaner is fitted.

Note - On no account “pump” the accelerator pedal when starting the engine.

Carburettor Adiustment Carburettor Adjustment - (5000 Mile Service)
The only adjustments required are to the volume control screw and the slow running adjustment screw.

Idling adjustment must be carried out when the engine is hot as follow:-
Screw in the slow running adjustment screw until the idling speed is a little faster than normal.
Unscrew the volume control screw until the engine begins to “hunt”
Screw the volume control screw in again until the engine runs evenly. If the engine speed is then too high, unscrew the slow running screw until a reasonably slow idling speed is obtained. This may cause a slight resumption of “hunting”.
If so screw in the volume control screw until the idling is perfect.

Note that the volume control screw alters the volume of mixture passing into the engine. Screwing it in reduces the volume of mixture and screwing it out increases the volume.

It may also be necessary to make an alteration to the distributor timing, in order to obtain satisfactory idling.

Do not expect a new engine to idle perfectly at low speeds until various machined surfaces have had a chance to “run themselves in”.

Clean the Air Cleaner - (5000 Mile Service)
This is fitted on the top of the carburettor and can be of two types. This can be either a dry gauze type or an oil bath type and normally requires servicing every 5000 miles (8000 km). Should you be operating your vehicle in a heavily dust-laden atmosphere, more frequent servicing to the air cleaner is recommended. The effect of allowing the internal filter element to become choked with duct etc, will be to restrict the air supply, in turn enriching the mixture. Failure to clean this filter element properly at the correct time can adversely affect performance and fuel economy.
Oil Bath Type Air Cleaner
To clean, remove the air cleaner, unscrew the wing nut on the top cover and lift off the cover and the cleaner element. Empty the oil and thoroughly clean the body. Wash the air cleaner element in petrol to remove the dust and dirt, and refill the air cleaner body with fresh engine oil up to the level of the arrow stamped on the side. Check that the cork gaskets are in good condition, refit the element and the cover. Refit the air cleaner to the carburettor.
oil bath air cleaner
Dry Gauze Type Air Cleaner
To clean, remove the air cleaner by slackening the clamp securing it to the carburettor. Pour a small amount of petrol into the cleaner via a larger diameter aperture (where the carburettor connection hose is fitted), swill round and pour out of the “spout”. This procedure should always be adopted, otherwise the tendency will be to wash the dirt in the cleaner further into the gauze. The element should be lightly oiled, adopting the same procedure, any surplus oil being allowed to drain off. Refit the air cleaner to the carburettor.
gauze air cleaner
Paper Element Type Air Cleaner
This is very similar to the wet type of air cleaner, but instead of having a gauze element it has a special paper one. This paper element must not be washed or oiled. Stand the element vertically and tap it on a firm flat surface while slowly rotating it. Check the element for tears in the paper or signs that it is so clogged that the tapping treatment will not clear it. Renew the element if it is defective.

Information taken from Various Ford Anglia Instruction Books and Handbooks..

Warning - The Health and Safety bit.
Please note your health may be at risk if you do not take sensible safety precautions. Never work under an unsupported vehicle, do not take shortcuts. If you feel that the task is beyond your capabilities, then employ the services of a trained professional. The Owner of this Website nor the author cannot be held responsible for any accidents or injury arising from advice given on this webpage. Safety advice can be obtained from the RoSPA.

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