M 38 gas milage problems HELP!

[bucky]

Hi, Im Bucky and Im new here. My M38 sucks fuel like there is no tommorrow. Ive put about 200 miles on it and have filled the fuel tank 3 times. I used a new Solex carb set as per the directions, My ignition system has been converted to 12 volt and is new all the way through. The choke butterfly is completely open when running and the engine doesnt smoke. Power is great,starts up even better,set timing with the light. The operators manuel claims it will run 235 miles at 35 MPH on 1 tank of fuel. Also the Solex carb gets supposadly better fuel milage yet. I think Im missing something thats causing it to use to much fuel. I even took apart the Air cleaner,its OK also. ANY Ideas Welcome Thanks Bucky

[Jim]

Hi, Bucky, and welcome! I've learned a lot about
our M38 on this site. If I recall the manual correctly,
the vehicle got 17 Miles Per Gallon when new. You
might want to run it over a stretch of clean pavement
and check for a leak that only occurs when moving. I
had one of those on a Ford Ranger pick-up after Sears
replaced the fuel filter. After they re-fixed it, I never
took it there again.

Jim in Darkest Arkansas

[bucky]

Thanks Jim Now that you mentioned that ,I do get a smell of raw gas from time to time. I will give that a shot and let you know what I find out Thanks Bucky

[wesk]

Bucky, what are you using for a fuel pump? The M38 pump puts out 4.5 to 5.2 PSI. The Solex will only tolerate 1 3/4 to 2 PSI. This usually necessitates a pressure regulator between the fuel pump and the Solex carb.

I've always had perfect luck with the old Carter. A lot cheaper too. The Solex will tend to run quite rich when going uphill and is usually a touchy cold start animal. Mileage claims by Solex users are not that great. The linkage and plumbing mods and the cost of a pressure regulator aren't very attractive either.

Check out the 3B site: http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Tech.html

See regulator note at lower right of page. This note is not included in the M32 instruction sheets.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[bucky]

Wesk, my fuel pump is the old mechanical type like on a CJ2A. I didnt put in a fuel regulator ,I never gave that a thought. I didnt find any fuel leaks at all this morning. Are the fuel pressures the same between an M38 pump and the CJ2A pump I have on mine? Thanks Bucky

[wesk]

The civvy pumps are 2 1/2 to 3 3/4 PSI. A lot of this depends on what spacers you used between the pump and the block. Thinner spacers equal higher pressures and vs versa. The best thing is to get a gage and check pump pressure at 1800 RPM.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php