68 f100 wouldn't start, so i checked spark, great spark, then checked fuel supply, wasn't getting fuel, took off fuel hose going into fuel pump, put tank end hose in jar of fuel and didn't pull fuel, would like experiences dealing with the fuel pumps, can anyone educate me on fuel pump problems, how often do they fail? thanks abunch

dave
michigan

 

How old is the pump?
Has it been sitting a long time before this happened?
Check the oil level and smell to see if fuel has made it into the oil pan.

When they go bad they show it a few different ways. Oil level will go up and the oil smell of gas. They can leak fuel out a weep hole so you see it on the ground or smell it and start looking for a leak.
The last is they just stop pumping. The diaphragm can get a hole in it or the check valves get crap in them and hold them open so it will not pump.

I asked about sitting, todays gas will eat the older rubber diaphragms and if they sit for a bit they dry out, crack and don't pump.
I had a hard time getting fuel from a 2 gal jug on the fender up to the carb, this was after the truck sat for 2+ years as I rebuild her. When she did pump gas I found the carb bad and could not run it long.
Just the short time running I went thru the 2 gal of fuel and I think I should not have. Because it sat so long, had a hard time pumping fuel and the gas going fast I am replacing the pump (I should be out doing that now!)
My 81 300 six pump was under $25 at Auto Zone
Dave ----

 

not sure how old pump is, probably original
has been sitting since last fall, garage all the sudden has been smelling really like gas but nothing on floor, going to check of oil smells like fuel
at this point what would you tackle first? great education on the fuel pump, thanks\

dave
michigan

 

as inexpensive as they are would you just replace the fuel pump, and if so any brand you would recommend and any brand avoid?

thanks dave

 

It would be a good idea to let us know which engine you're dealing with. Some fuel pumps are easier to deal with than others, even when the pumps are identical. If you're dealing with a 360/390, you may need to remove the oil filter, IOT have access to the fuel pump's mounting bolts.

 

yes would help to know what motor you have.

I do not care what brand pump I got as long as it works. Because I have an Auto Zone 2 miles from my house, all others are about 10 miles, I use them and what ever they can get.
I do look the parts up on line first to see price and if in stock or not. If I need the part ASAP then I may find an AZ store that has it but I don't need the truck so I can wait.
Dave - - - -

 

lol, i should know better, i have a 68 with 360 and a 71 with straight six, the one i'm having trouble with has the 360, sorry

 

Taking the old one out shouldn't be too much of a problem, since the pump is only held in place by two blots.

Putting the new one in can be frustrating, since the cam follower may need to be compressed before the mounting bolts will line up. If you run into this problem, consider removing all of your spark plugs and manually rotating the crankshaft with a socket & breaker bar. It will be easier to install the fuel pump if the follower is resting on the low part of the cam.

As I posted earlier, you will probably want to remove the oil filter, in order to gain access to one of the fuel pump's mounting bolts.

Safety precautions... protect your eyes... be careful about getting oil and/or fuel in your face.

 

I went through 2 Napa fuel pumps on my 390 that lasted about 1,000 miles each before they started pumping oil out the vent hole. I bought a edelbrock pump that has been on for 10,000 and good so far