Howdy guys, and Merry Christmas!!

We are right on the edge of driving our truck for the first time. We hoped to pull it out under its own power today, but we couldn't get 'er started. We last ran her about a year ago, so I'm not really surprised to have issues.

I am suspicious it is a fuel issue. Should fuel shoot out of my fuel line, or just very gently pulse? This afternoon my son was cranking, my dad was manning the fire extinguisher, I was standing by with starter fluid and my father-in-law was lending moral support. We noticed after several attempts that we were not getting any fuel smell (we put about a gallon and a half in the tank). I pulled off the fuel line to see if we were getting fuel from the (mechanical) pump. It seemed dry. We pulled off the fuel line (clear), fixed a bad flare fitting, checked the filter (clean) etc. After a few more attempts, we seem to be getting some fuel, but it's not spurting across the engine compartment like I thought it would. It's just sort of pulsing out a little into a rag, but not much. The fuel pump is new, it has zero miles on it, and is the same one we ran last year when the engine ran well.

Does it sound to you like I have a fuel supply issue or should I keep looking? Thanks! Tyler

 

It should be pretty much gushing out. I'd pull the line off the tank to see if it's clear. Any chance the valve is shut?!

 

Gushing huh? It's definitely not gushing. I don't have a shutoff valve. My tank isn't stock. I moved it under the bed. But I can check the lines. Hmm...

 

Ya know, there may have been some residual fuel sitting in there for the last year. Not a lot, but just a little. And in the lines too. Is there a chance that has gummed up in there? Is there some kind of fuel cleaner I should add and put in more fuel? T

 

Tyler, maybe hook the pump up to a hose in a gas can and see if it pumps? If not I would disconnect both ends of the fuel line to the tank and see if you can blow air through it. If it's clear, the pickup in the tank could be plugged.
This gas nowadays breaks down pretty fast....

 

A gallon and a half may not be enough for the pump to draw, with that kind of tank

 

You should get a full strong squirt of fuel if all is working well.
Since you have a modified fuel system, lets start at the tank and describe in detail what you have. List line type, filter location, etc to the carburetor. The mention of a bad fitting, clear line gives us reason to question. Any slight leak on the section side of the pump will cause you grief, not enough fuel. Detail pictures would help. BTW, the engine should start on starting fluid.

 

Exactly..
Shot of starter fluid should get you a pop out of the engine, if not then there is an ignition or timing issue.
You can manually fill the float bowl with fuel, work the throttle and look for fuel out of the squirters so you know the accelerator pump is working. A full bowl will run the engine for a couple seconds even if the pump doesnt work.

 

Thanks for all the info guys! I'll try some of your suggestions in the morning. I put in another gallon and a half of fuel, but still no luck. We'll see tomorrow.

 

OK guys we got 'er runnin'!!! It was a timing issue. Fuel is flowing well, but she's runnin pretty hot. So we gotta look into that. Check out my post (I'm posting it as soon as I'm done writing this) of OUR FIRST TEST DRIVE!!!! WOOT!! Tyler