I've been working on getting my new truck out of my neighbors garage. It doesn't bother him that it is there, but the sooner it is out and running it will be on the road! I am anxious to get to work on cleaning it up and mess with fixing the lights etc! This past weekend I drained the tank, got fresh gas in it, primed the carb since the fuel filter was dry, put in my battery and it started right up... then died. I tried that a few times and the filter was still dry. I crawled underneath the truck and the glass bowl on the fuel pump is dry as well. I pulled it off and it seems that nothing is being pumped from the tank. Where do I go from here?? Is the pump bad? If so, how does it go bad after two years of sitting? The truck ran like a top before it was parked. The good news is, after sputtering a few times, the truck runs like a champ if you fill the bowl with gas! So, when I fix this fuel pump issue, it should be ready to back out of the garage and go for a drive around the neighborhood!

 

I am going to deny ever posting this comment; after draining and flushing tank on the 65 I had similar problem and posted the question, a member suggestion applying air into the tank thru the filler neck, that perhaps a vacuum on not sufficient air above the fuel level, and yes I thought the same thing, but I be darn if it did not work. If this does not solve the problem then I would suggest disconnecting fuel line between tank and pump and either try siphoning, or applying air to the line to determine if there's an obstruction?? Anyhow, food for thought??

 

You know, it's worth a shot! How did you go about doing that? Just an air compressor? I probably won't have a chance to get to it today, but sometime this week I would like to tinker some more on it. My next thought was to run air through the lines.

I did forget to add that I disconnected the fuel line going to the pump from the tank and ran it into a can filled with gas. Still nothing happened. I AM however going to try blowing the lines out etc! Can't hurt it!

 

You mention this is the glass bowl type filter? Those can have problems with a good seal and might explain why it's dry. Getting it primed might help, or replace the pump. Modern fuels have lots of chemicals that don't play well with old school parts, too.

 

I thought about just replacing it, but keeping the old one on a shelf. It is very cool! I've never seen one like that! I thought about just going with an electric pump on a toggle switch. It could act as a kill switch I suppose. I'm just not sure what route I should go. I honestly would love to keep it mechanical, but am open to suggestions.

 

I think they are interesting too, (I bought one, heh) but nobody has made one for a long time. Filters of the right size are tough to find for some reason. Your pump is probably inop. An FE or Y Block pump will work for now and auto parts places still stock them, you can take your time rebuilding the pump with gaskets that will withstand modern fuels and reinstall later. A lot of people ignore fuel pumps but the proper pressure is important, it will never run right otherwise. I would avoid an electronic pump.

 

The cool factor has some value, reliability has more.


I would drain the tank, flush the lines and spend the $30 for a new fuel pump.

 

Definitely right about the cool vs. Reliability! I plan on driving this in traffic etc. I would rather be reliable! I would definitely keep the old one, but it would be more art for the garage than anything! The fuel pump I found at the local parts store is like $80. Where can I get one cheaper? It's a 6 cylinder motor

 

They are a little more expensive. A quick look through the Mac's catalog shows $60 for the I6 version. Add in shipping and it's close.

You could try and remove the pump and disassemble. That is how everything was made then. Even spark plugs if ya go back far enough. Make sure everything is OK and measure for both pressure and volume. It is critical the carb gets the right amount of fuel at all times under all conditions. That way the carb can be dialed in for best economy and performance.

 

Disconnect the fuel at both the tank and fuel pump. Use your compressor to blow air from the tank side forward. Don't want to be pumping garbage back into the tank.

 

BTW, the tank is not designed to be pressurized. If you decide to pressurize it, only go 3-5 psi.


Are you sure that the problem is not trash in the tank blocking the fuel outlet or a plugged fuel line?

 

I will tear into it when I get a chance. It will probably be this weekend. I've pulled the tank and flushed it, even took a vacuum and got out any sediment or anything at the bottom. I will start with blowing the lines out to make sure my path for fuel is clear. If that does not work, I will throw a new pump on there. We should be pumping then. If not, I don't know what it could be!