In a nut shell: My truck has been sitting for about 3 weeks on a slight incline while I redid my cooling system. I was driving the truck fine and parked it before I started working on it. Went to start it after I got done and there is no fuel getting to the carburetor. When I manually shoot some fuel into the carb while cranking I get fire, so I know it's getting spark.

- The fuel filter was replaced about 15 miles ago.

- Sending unit was replaced recently by the previous owner. I took it out last night and it looks new, no clogs I can see, and the sock is in good condition.

- The fuel tank looks good internally. I didn't see any large debris or problem areas.

- Fuel pump looks like it was replaced not too long ago (not in the same dingy condition as the rest of the engine compartment; it was a farm truck)

- Oil filter is evenly dirty (no fuel blown on it from pump)

- Metal fuel lines appear to be in good condition

- I pulled the fuel line off of the carb and cranked, but still did not get fuel in the line.

There is no other filter in-line. The filter that is on it is glass and I can see there is no fuel in the chamber. A friend recommended changing the filter again in case there is water in it.

The next things I'm going to try are: replacing filter (again), replace the rubber hoses, and blow the fuel line out.

I'm wondering: can I pre-fill the fuel line pre-pump? Since the truck was sitting on an incline, I'm guessing the fuel drained from the line. When I tried to start it, the little fuel that was in the line post-pump was used up.

OR am I not cranking it long enough? Last time I cranked it at length it was still sitting on the incline. I've since moved it to a level surface.

Any other suggestions or things to try? I did some reading and the only other thing I can come up with is the cam is worn and not actuating the pump; I don't believe this is the case, however.

 

First off, pull the dipstick and take a whiff - does it smell like gas? If so, replace the fuel pump and change the oil and filter.

Try this: pull the feed line from the tank to the pump. Put that end into a can and blow some air into the tank at the filler hole - no much pressure maybe ~ 10 psi. Gas comes out = clear fuel lines to the pump. No gas = clean out the feed fuel line.

If you have gas there, attach one line (feed) to the pump and the other to a can of gas. Crank her over - start or no start? No start = bad fuel pump. Replace it.

 

I'll give it a try in the next day or so when I get some time! Thanks!

 

Filthy Beast has you on the right track for sure. Do like he said to ck the tank to pump, then pump to carb.

Once you know the lines are good, see if you can get gas from the tank to the pump and out that line with it NOT connected to the carb. Caution a small amount of gas should come out that line when you turn it over, that will confirm the pump is working and the line from the pump to the carb is good.

I have not read anything about the carb and its condition and the accelerator pump in it....

Does it start run if you squirt bottle trickle feed the carb?

I bet bad mechanical fuel pump.

 

Thanks, Rich. The OP said that if he dumps a little fuel in the carb, it fires. So, like you, I'm thinking bad fuel pump.

That doesn't rule out a gummed up carb though, like you suggested....

 

I pulled the line from the pump to carb and didn't get any fuel squirt. I'm working on checking the lines (got replacement hose, just have to get it on) and the pump to see if it's one of those two. If not, I'll be back

 

The shop manual says that the mechanical pump should do 6 to 8 PSI for the 302, 351, & 400; 5 to 7 PSI for the 300, 460, 330, 359/361, & 389/391. All pumps should be able to pump 1 pint in 20 seconds.