Hello there. I'm pretty new to the whole working on a classic truck thing and I've ran into my first problem.

My wife and I were driving in my '77 F150 Supercab and we stalled. I figured with the gas gauges being defective, that I ran out of gas. I had actually planned to replace the fuel lines, filter, pump and floats in the tanks in the next few weeks, so I figured I had no issues at the moment and to just drive it and be sure to put gas in it after each longer trip. I've had it a little over a month and put about 500 miles on her.

So, we stalled out. I put gas in and she still wouldn't start back up. AAA got us home and I picked up some starting and tried that. The engine turned over and started, then immediately shut off again.

This evening, I replaced the fuel pump and filter to the carburetor. The old filter had all kinds of crud in it. I was starting to kill my battery, so I jumped my truck. I sprayed starting fluid again and she started and ran for a few minutes. Then stalled again. When the truck does start and run and I press the accelerator, gas still doesn't seem to be making it to the carb.

I'm confused now, but not frustrated yet. Just hoping someone can steer me in the right direction. I seem to have spark and compression, but the fuel isn't there.

Specs on the truck...
'77 F-150 with the 400 engine. C6 Transmission. 2 barrel carb. 2wd Supercab. 2 fuel tanks. Around 145k on the engine. I'm not noticing any major leaks.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

I had a similar issue after replacing an old fuel tank. I turned out the old rubber fuel lines were soft and getting sucked closed by the fuel pump. A few feet of rubber line and a couple hours fixed it.

"All kind of crud" in the fuel filter suggests the insides of your tank may be getting rusty. May be time to pull the tank. They can be cleaned and re-conditioned however cost of a new tank is pretty reasonable so that is normally the best approach.

If you can, it is worth salvaging your tank sending unit. Re-pops often use a smaller diameter suction tube and also may make the fuel gauge less accurate.

 

I literally just resolved an identical problem today. My sending unit is out on the front tank and I ran out of fuel when I was sure I was full. (Or someone siphoned my fuel out which is entirely possible too).

Replaced fuel filter, and fuel pump then tried starting truck until battery eventually died. I found fuel still wasn't getting to the carb. After reading some suggestions here, I took the top of the the carb off and filled the float reservoir with fuel. Put the carb back together and truck started right up and running strong again.

BTW, be careful and don't spill fuel if you try this. Seems like an easy way to start a fire by having fuel spillage up there + jump start cables attached. I was careful not to spill but had a fire extinguisher on hand just incase.

 

After you replaced the fuel pump and with the line from the outlet side of the pump to the carb still off.

Connect a short piece of fuel line on the outlet side of the pump and face it down, key/elec turn over the truck and see if fuel squirts out to make sure you got the fuel pump arm UNDER the eccentric cam properly?

Could be a in tank sending unit pick up tube filter sock is caked/clogged? Or yes 2 short runs of rubber liner internally shot and breaking down.

X1000 that you have a fire ext very handy and or a wet jacket/wet old wool Army blanket to smother a carb fire.

Also if you squirt bottle gas load up the carb, put the air filter back on to help prevent a carb backfire/burn your hood paint off.

 

man you need to warn a guy before posting that kind of stuff

 

A dry carb or dry fuel lines will increase crank times... but should not in any way prevent starting and running if the system is healthy.

If you do decide to pour gas in or through your carb, please re-install the air cleaner, cover and tighten down the nut before cranking... to prevent problems as above. A fire extinguisher is good idea also but done right should not bve needed.

 

CAUTION PAINFUL PICS and a reminder to drive careful and watch out for the other guy.

Shock and awe...a fire extinguisher is a simple to own.

Seat belts save lives too.