Fuel Rate?

[dh1031]

Hi, My Dad and brother are working on a 1972 Ford Snorkel Fire Truck with the 534 V8 engine in it. It cranks the motor but will not start. They've removed the electric fuel pump, cleaned it out (not dirty) and blew out the fuel line, reconnected it to the fuel line and then put the input hose into a gas jug. They decided this would eliminate the fuel line to the tank and the sock filter in the tank. It started for a few seconds and then died again. After a short break they're going to put the output of the hose into an empty milk jug, so they can monitor the amount of fuel delivered in a 15, 30, 60 second test. Does anyone know how much fuel should be pumped per a certain period of time? Thanks much for your input! David

[mokehill151]

It shouldn't need that much fuel. If yours is like mine there is a prime switch by the ignition switch to bypass the oil switch for the fuel pump. On that carb the idle circuit is in the secondary side of the carb and 3 PSI should be enough. Check and see if you getting fuel to the carb when turning on the ignition and hitting the prime switch. Is there only one fuel pump? On Firetrucks usually they have a backup. Hope any of this helps.

[Skyhawk Greg]

For a rough estimate, use 1/2 pound of fuel per horsepower-hour. Fuel weighs about 6lbs per gallon. Base this upon the actual hp used at the moment.

Example: If using 180 hp, then in one hour, you would use ((180 hp x 1/2 lb/hp-hr)/6 lb/gallon) = 15 gallons per hour.

[Harley48]

According to the 1966 Ford Truck Service Manual, for a 534, the minimum flow for the electric fuel pump is 1 quart within 30 seconds @ 11.8-12.3 volts and 2 psi.