wasn't a whole lot my instructions said could cause the non starting (with my carburetor).

Ignition system, fuel filter issue or boiled gas.

It's unlikely boiled gas.

I replaced the filter, didn't make a difference.

I didn't get a chance to check the coil again today (had a family event). I'll check it after work.

I know I mentioned this issue earlier (in another thread somewhere), but I don't hear the fuel pump him at all. And sometimes it would stay on when I turned off the truck and I'd have to shimmy the relay. So I wonder if maybe the relay itself died...

But considering I got a higher output of gas when the engine was turning over, it seems to me that the pump or relay isn't so much the issue.

Another thing I'm going to re-check is the distributor cap. Maybe it is bad. It's new, but it's also not exactly high quality. Last time I checked, it was ok. But I haven't checked it lately. maybe it's corroded to beat all hell.

 

I took the distributor cap off, and cleaned the thing in it (it was a little corroded, but nothing major). Didn't make a difference.

It still will try to start with starter fluid.

I tried to test the coil with one of my tools, but it didn't show anything. It's one of those things that light up when there's a circuit made. Maybe thats not the right tool, but it says spark plug tester on the box it came in. I know it works too, as I tested it from terminal to terminal.

I wish this was easier to figure out. hehe

 

Well, if it tries to start with ether, that implies a fuel-delivery problem.

I would investigate that relay, you really should hear the pump for a second or so when you first turn the key on.

 

I guess I'm confused. Earlier you stated that while cranking the motor you had fuel gushing out of the fuel line...proving your pump was ok.

As Chris states...if it tries to start with starter fluid then I'd say you have an issue with your carb not delivering the fuel properly

 

I'm confused by it too.

Maybe it was suction from the engine (or however it works) and not from the pump itself. It seemed to be sufficient, but it this would seem to suggest it's not.

 

Then you need to go back to square one and determine if your pump is working or not.

There is no suction from the engine on the fuel line.

Disconnect the hose and crank the motor...if you got fuel pumping out the line then the pump is working.

Then it's back to the carb being the issue.

If no fuel is pumping out...then it has to be somewhere in the fuel delivery system. Not neccesarily the pump. There are many things that would prevent the pump from running.

Not sure we ever determined for sure if this pump was electrical or mechanical either.

 

I would assume it's electric, because as I understand things, a mechanical pump is on the engine itself and I, for the life of me, couldn't find one. The fuel lines go from the tank, to the frame and up to a (non OEM) filter and then the carburetor.

There is a rectangular box that has electrical connections on it, on the frame that is near the fuel lines. They either go into it, or run behind it. I wasn't able to tell (it's partly hidden, iirc).

Maybe i'm misunderstanding where it is, or what i would or wouldn't hear if I had an electrical or mechanical one.

I used to hear a humming/buzzing when I would turn the key over (I KNOW I hear a humming with my Volvo wagon when I turn the key over).

 

sounds like you have an electric pump then.

 

Spelled ***-U-ME

It would help if you could post pictures of your electrical boxes and connections and whatnot.

Yepper!

It's the gray thing in the lower RH corner in this picture (of a V8 engine):

 

RH side being as you look at it?

If thats the case, then barring it being able to hide REALLY well, I'm think my engine doesn't have that.

Tomorrow after work, it should be a decent day in Portland. So I should be able to get under the truck and take pictures and post more information.

 

In the lower RH corner of this picture.

The pump itself is located on the left (driver's) side of the V8 engine, down near the oil filter/harmonic balancer/steering gear.

 

Yeah, I caught were it was in the picture (as i know what one looks like).

Since I couldn't seem to locate mine in my truck, I wanted to make sure it wasn't "right side as you face the back of the car" vs "right side as you face the the front of the car" sorta thing and I'm totally missing it.

Sure, there's a LOT of crap in my engine compartment, but I'm pretty sure I would've been able to spot something that obvious. Doesn't mean, of course, that it's not right there in front of me tomorrow when I look.

 

In the United States, "left hand" ALWAYS refers to the driver's side of the vehicle, no matter from where you're observing the vehicle.

So, even if you're standing in front of it, the driver's side is always considered the left hand side of the vehicle.

 

Update:

As far as I can tell, I have no mechanical pump. there is a diamond shaped port, with two bolts, where I believe it should/would go.

I replaced the Relay for the tank switch (they only had one on hand).

There is a "click" sound now when I switch tanks, which there wasn't before. So that's (seemingly) a good thing.

I tried the new relay on the pump relay, but it didn't change anything.

I tried to check the fuel lines at the switch on the frame (with 4 lines coming in from the tanks, and 2 out towards the engine). But the lines themselves are too short to disconnect and check without gas spilling out all over the place.

So I RE checked after the fuel filter (I have removed the carburetor, I needed to clean it a bit).

I did not turn the car over, but I did have the car turned to the on position. I had been told by the guy at an auto parts store (and I think someone here said too) the pump should create enough flow that I would be able to see an increase of gas coming out. There was none.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping to get another relay (I figure it doesn't hurt to replace them both).

My questions are (now): If one fuel pump is bad, would the other also quit? How hard is it to take out the tanks? I'm only going to do ONE so I can get the stupid thing running and sell it. Let the new owner know about it.

I don't hear any humming from the FP (and it used to be intermittent and sometimes stay on after the key was out only turning off once I hit the side of the truck or the relay).

I realize some of this information is new, but I was also working on my Volvo, and some of the information gets confused in my brain.

 

I believe you may have to take it to start tO energize the pumps. They get power while in run only when there is oil pressure...it's a safety interlock