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fuel delivery problem help request

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Old Feb 1, 2021 | 07:45 PM
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fuel delivery problem help request

Hi guys, I'm working on an 87 F250 4x4, carb'd 460, C6 that has 45,000 actual miles but suffered a mild engine fire. The fuel line to the Holley came loose and that was the end of that. I bought it as a non-running project because of the fire. It was an old guy's camper rig and overall is in amazing shape. I pulled the engine out, tore it down to the long block for a straight up timing chain set, new gaskets and seals, de-smogged, Edelbrock intake and carb, new hoses, lines, etc. I've got it all back together but for some reason now I have no fuel to the fuel pump. I've put gas in the tank so I know there's gas. It has an engine mounted mechanical fuel pump with a return line and I believe it also has electric pumps in the dual tanks. I've tore into the dash and the selector switch is good and working and there's power going through it as it's supposed to have. I've bought several manuals and still don't have answers to several questions or a troubleshooting flow chart. I've done some online searches and found this old thread https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...7CAGtKUB2W13Cw that was some help but the diagrams talk about parts I don't believe I have, like a relay under the hood. I would also like to know where the inertia switch is located? My next thing to test I guess is the selector valve on the frame, but I'm not sure exactly how to do that. Am I even on the right track, or is there something simple I'm overlooking or don't know about? If there was enough gas flowing previously to start a fire, I would think that part would still work. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.




 
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Old Feb 2, 2021 | 09:01 AM
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Go to eBay and search "1987 Ford EVTM" and buy that manual. They are very helpful with electrical stuff.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 03:20 PM
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If the inertia switch is located in the same spot as the Bronco's, it's behind the passenger side kick panel trim. The default position should be depressed.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 04:22 PM
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If you have the electric fuel pumps in the tank then you have a fuel pump cut-off relay somewhere. The inertia switch on 1991 and earlier trucks is usually behind the pedals on the firewall.

Inertia switch location



I have no idea where the fuel pump cutoff relay is located, but I do know it is between the oil pressure switch and the inertia switch. So follow the wires from the inertia switch backwards or the oil pressure switch on the engine up to the FP cutoff relay.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 05:24 PM
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Do you have the capability to blow air "backwards" from the engine area (fuel pump) back to the fuel tank to verify there is no obstructions ?

Hobo
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 06:28 PM
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https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-87-f250.html

Also posted in above. Looks like problem solved
 
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Old Feb 3, 2021 | 07:38 PM
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Didn’t really give people much time to answer. The place to ask would have been the ‘80-86 forum since more of those trucks had the hybrid carburetor setup. Only ‘87 still had carburetors (351/460) in this forum.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2021 | 07:40 AM
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I wonder what the original poster has. Because, I have an 87 F250 460 c-6, carbed. It has an electric low pressure pump in each tank. Low oil pressure shut off switch. Have an 85 F250 460,C-6, carb Has the pumps in each tank. My 86 F250 351, C-6, carb has a mechanical pump on the engine.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2021 | 07:52 AM
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@52 Merc was just frustrated hence the terse response in the other forum. I took a few minutes to track down some info based on the original post stating they thought the truck had the hot fuel handling system. Looks like that was not the case. Glad the OP got the truck started and running for a few minutes.
 
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Old Feb 4, 2021 | 08:44 AM
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I'm just curious now about the set up he has. Compared to what I have
 
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Old Feb 4, 2021 | 08:56 AM
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IDK what manuals this person supposedly bought, but if you are trying to work on your own truck and you don't have the factory Ford manuals handy, then you need to do that first IMO.

I guess we are just not good people like those 48-52 guys. Oh well.
 
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Old Feb 6, 2021 | 12:24 AM
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Thanks for all your responses. While the engine runs, I still have a fuel delivery issue. It may be a bad selector valve, or it may be something else. I've determined I do not have the hot fuel handling setup and I don't believe I have in tank pumps. I only have 2 wires going to the fuel senders (+ & -), not a third that would be for the pump. I put compressed air into the tank and between that and suction on the other end of the fuel line, I was able to get a little trickle of gas to come through. It's not enough to keep the engine running. I cranked it enough to fill the carb, but after it started it ran the carb dry. It ran great off the gas can the day before. I guess the next thing to do it try to bypass the valve with a short hose from the tank line to the front line and see if fuel flows better. I can try to blow out the lines while I have it apart. Does this sound like the right track, or is there something else you would check instead? Am I missing anything? I have, and have had, several of these old trucks over the years and for all the stories I've heard about valve and switch issues in the fuel system, this is the first time I've personally had an issue. I assumed someone here would have seen more than me and had experience with troubleshooting.

FYI, the manuals I have are the factory service manuals. I have the engine manual (B), the Chassis and Electrical manual (A), and the Engine/Emissions diagnostic manual. (that one is worthless) and the recommended EVTM manual is on order. I realize you guys don't know me that well, but I'm usually the guy with the answers, not the questions, and I feel a bit out of place, as well as perplexed. Please forgive me if anyone feels insulted.
 
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Old Feb 6, 2021 | 07:17 AM
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Wayne, I don't know if this will help but, son had an 87 6cyl injected. It was weird that it had a filter in the selector valve Also disconnect the lines at the valve and try blowing through them. My 87 has 4 wires going to the low pressure pumps in the tanks.

PS: still wondering what set up you have (Ford might have used left over parts) as it does not sound like my 87 460 but more like my 86 351. Both F250's and carbed.
 
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Old Feb 6, 2021 | 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by 52 Merc
...I realize you guys don't know me that well, but I'm usually the guy with the answers, not the questions, and I feel a bit out of place, as well as perplexed. Please forgive me if anyone feels insulted.
Wouldn't sweat it for a moment.

Most of the long term members know that everybody here has strengths & not really weaknesses, but holes in their particular knowledge base.

I love hard copy documentation, but sometimes what you need just ain't there & sometimes it's wrong from the original source.
 
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Old Feb 6, 2021 | 07:49 AM
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Dug out my 87 shop manual. It does mention that the 7.5 460 might have a mechanical pump. ("It's a poor day when you don't learn something"). When going through problems with my 87 it was mentioned that the selector switch on the dash might be a problem. But, again check the lines(plastic if I remember correctly) for obstruction first.
 
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