I have a 1981 E150 Econoline van. My fuel pump is bad on the block and I’m getting ready to replace that. My question is this, someone told me that there is also an electronic fuel pump in the tank. is that true?
I’m a female alone on the side of the road, travel nurse turned cancer patient and I live in my van. So this is kind of a high priority for me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

I'm pretty sure you only have the one fuel pump.

I never had fuel pump issues with my '85, so others on this forum can confirm the one pump theory.

 

My van is a 1990 e350 van, and mine had three. Did you ask at the part store? If all else fails google it.

 

I tried google and get conflict info, parts store doesn’t know.
But my issue now is that I can’t seem to get the new pump bolts lined up. Apparently I don’t have the correct insertion angle or need to rotate the cam but don’t have the correct size socket to put on the crank pulley nut.
Gave up for the night, will go at it again in the morning. I don’t understand what the issue is, I’ve done fuel pumps before but this sucker is giving me a headache. lol.
PS: I’ve never heard of 2 fuel pumps but I do have 2 tanks. I run off the front only cuz the rear is not even hooked up. I use that as my gas can and syphon if need be. All was good until a few days ago when the fuel just stopped flowing. I know it’s the pump, or feel it has to be the pump cuz there is no fuel flowing when I removed the fuel line at the filter but starts right up when I put fuel directly into the carburetor. Checked the under dash fuses, all are good. Cant find any under hood fuses or relays. Also have 2 batteries. Is there an inertia cut off on this year van?
I’m at a loss on the second pump but won’t know anything until I get the new pump lined up and installed.
Very frustrating!

 

Your 1981 has a carburetor and only one mechanical fuel pump on the block
Simply replace the "lift pump" they sometimes call it
When you get the pump out, you can rotate the engine around so the eccentric cam is at the low spot
That makes it easier to install the fuel pump into the block and get the bolts started
Torque them down evenly, the pump can crack if you just run the bolts down, one at a time

 

Thank you so much! That gives me relief regarding the dual pump question.
I suspected I needed to turn the motor to get the cam into place however, I don’t have the correct size nut to fit that bolt. (For reasons unknown I took all my tools out before I left my aunties house. That won’t happen again.)
Can I tap the ignition to turn it? I’m kinda out in the sticks and not within walking distance to a parts store. lol…go big or go home, right? Kinda got myself in a predicament here.

 

Yes, tap the ignition. You may have to do it a couple times but it will work.

 

thank you, trying now

 

I'm a little late to the party, but see a lot of great advice above. I hope you got it sorted out!