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I have a 1979 F250 with 460. Im !not real mechanically inclined. Recently the truck started and was warming up then died. I may have run out of gas. So I put a couple of gallons in it. It cranks but won't start. Looking into carb no gas is getting to carb. I sprayed some starter fluid and it did start for a few seconds. Clearly Im not getting fuel to carb. Any ideas for me to getting her started? Thanks for any suggestions. Again, Im a novice but am good at following directions.
Based on it running off of starter fluid, its likely your fuel pump has died.
If you want to validate before you purchase a new pump, you can disconnect the fuel line at the base of the carb- before the filter- and see if it pumps fuel when you crank the motor.
You can replace it fairly easily; two bolt and an inlet and outlet connection.
What about a stuck float needle?
Get a large handle screw driver, remove the air filter and using the handle of the screw driver give the carb a few taps on the bowl where the fuel line goes in.
Then using the staring fluid to help it fire up give it a try and see if it will stay running.
If not then remove the fuel line going to the carb and see if you get fuel when you crank it.
Dave ----
Lots of things it could be. I'd start by putting a new filter on then take a hose off the carb side of it and see if you're getting gas when you crank it. go from there.
Ok, I removed the line at the fuel filter (filter is on the carb) and cranked it and gas came shooting out. I guess this means the fuel pump is ok. I ordered what looks like the same part from Amazon.
Amazon claims it fits my model. The part should arrive tomorrow so I went ahead and removed the fuel filter. Comparing it to the new part coming, it looks like the new part will not have the bronze thing and a spring. I noticed I can get the bronze thing from Amazon.
Sorry 440 for being an idiot. When I took this filter off I didn't pay attention to what order the spring and the brass filter were in within the housing. When I put them back in, does the spring go in first or does the brass filter go in first? And also, for the brass filter, does the the end showing in my picture go into the filter housing first or does the opposite side go in first. The opposite side not shown in my picture is a small whole. Sorry for being an idiot and I hope what I'm asking even makes sense.
Its been a while since I posted. I disconnected the fuel line at the carb and cranking engine gas comes out. I guess this rules out the fuel pump. I replaced the fuel filter (which connects to carb) and no luck. Before towing to a mechanic, anyone have any thoughts. Oh, I looked on the carb and its a Holley H4-4180 carb.
Do you smell gas? Have you been pumping your gas pedal when you are cranking? Don’t do that too much, just a couple times.
An old trick would be to have someone use a screwdriver to hold the carb flap open while cranking, your choke might be stuck.
You said it ran on starting fluid before, so it's not a timing or spark issue, sounds like something is blocking the fuel from entering the bowl.
