I have a 71 302 with a mchanical fuel pump; in the last six months I;ve been have some difficulties starting sometime; today it started then cutout (engine still turning over) I pump the gas then it caught on. Could the fuel pump be bad?

 

possible. does engine run ok once running? is performance ok? fuel filter been changed lately? accelerator pump could be issue. float and or needle could be sticking. disconnect fuel line from carb and put line in container. turn engine over and see how much volume is being pumped. almost sounds like semi plugged filter.