Trying to start my overhauled 55 Y block. New fuel pump and all lines. Gas tank cleaned and coated. Filled glass bowl on the fuel pump and carb float bowl. Engine will run until carb float bowl runs dry then stops. Fuel pump is not working. My thought is it is air locked? Any suggestions will be much appreciated.
Fred K.

 

Do you have vacuum to the carb from the fuel pump?

 

Fred - I don't have a Y-block, but believe that the setup is basically the same on all Ford engines.
I would check and make sure that the fuel pump is installed correctly with the pickup arm under the cam lobe. These sometimes get installed inadvertantly with the arm above the lobe and there is no actuation of the pump. Simple to check/fix.

 

Is the fuel pump above or below the fuel tank on that truck. If it is below and it is not naturally filling the bowl I would have to wonder why gravity is not filling the bowl.

 

Think I have found the problem. The pickup tube inside the tank is blocked with something preventing the fuel pump from sucking the gas. Tried to push a wire down it but no soap. Will have to take the tank off. Damn! Apparently the Rad shop that cleaned and coated the tank must have blocked the tube with the coating. Thanks for the replies.
Fred K.

 

Fred, get a digital camera and start your gallery with pictures of that beautiful green machine. j.

 

I need to get a new fule pump for a 1050 F1, they said that the original cept getting gumed up so they put in an electric pump, neither work now, what pump should I get, I went into several parts shops and they said they can't get pumps for trucks that old.
I had another thread on this but I can't find it now.
any help

 

Seth - I'm sure that lots of folks here can help you get a stock fuel pump.
I used an electric one (Carter #CRT-P4594) from Summit Racing ($40) and it works great.

 

is there an advantave to using a electric pump over the original.

the old owner said that he switched to an electric pump because the original kept getting gummed up and he got sick of cleaning it out.
which pump would be better to put in-I need to buy a new one either way and I just want to get what would be best and I don't want to work on the fuel pump every time I fill the tank.

 

Put an inline fuel filter in prior to your fuel pump. The screen that is in there is just that it keeps out the big chunks. A paper element fuel filter will filter the fuel and keep the crud out of the fuel system.

 

So does it matter which pump I put in, Which would be better
Electric or no

 

I've run a mechanical pump for over 3 years without missing a beat. They are dependable. I suspect the previous owner of your truck also gummed up the electric pump with the same crap that was getting sucked into the mechanical pump because he didn't take time to clean the gas tank and old lines!

Take out the tank and get it cleaned at a radiator shop and replace all the steel lines to the pump. Install (as suggested) an inline filter and you won't have a problem with a stock pump. I got mine at Sacramento Vintage Ford. NAPA should carry them also or can get them easily. Have the computer jockey behind the counter dig out the obsolete books on the shelf below the 'puter and look up the number he/she needs to order.

The only hitch with the stock pump is the diaphram can rupture with age and then dumps gas into the crank case. Regular maintenance issue. If it doesn't pump, sniff the dipstick for gas odors and an over-full condition.

 

Be warned! I have the electric FP on my 54. It is a Holley and it is loud. You can hear the whine easily at idle. Go mechanical if you are on the fence. My stock mechanical on the 272 in my Fairlane is bulletproof. Just use a filter to make sure it stays clean. John

 

Thanks, I am going in today to get the pump ordered. I also pulled off the carborator because they said they couldn't order in a kit for it and needed to see it in order to get in a kit that will work. but next week we should be in business.

 

To close out this thread, I pulled the tank off the 55, had a new pick up tube installed to replace the plugged one, put the tank back on and the beast started. Even drove around my Condo Complex a bit.
End of story.
Fred K.