I have a '70 F-100 with the 302 engine. The truck hasn't been used much in the last 3 1/2 years and has sat for about two. It was in great running condition then.

And it almost is now except for one thing. There's a problem with the fuel system, either in a line or with the fuel pump I think. Yesterday it didn't want to start until I poured a little gas down the carb, cranked it again, and it came to life just fine. I took it around the neighborhood with no problems. Today it took a few tries before starting (it did it on its own). I drove to the gas station at the end of the street, put 5 gallons in, started it up again and it quickly died on me. This time it wouldn't restart. I poured just a little gas down the carb and after a couple of tries it was ready to go again.

The first time I drove it around it died just at random so after I got it home I took out the gas tank, drained it and got rid of the junk that settled at the bottom. The line coming out of the gas tank itself is fine. The fuel filters are new.

Any ideas about what might be going on here? I'm pretty sure the problem is with a fuel line or the pump but not sure which to check out first. Thanks in advance!



EDIT:
So I had a look at the fuel lines just now - blew them out and they don't seem to have any clogs. Does it look like the fuel pump might be causing these problems?

 

Welcome to FTE. You may need a new carburator kit after sitting for so long. You can take off the top of the carb and see if the pump is keeping it full.

 

Thanks! I remember the old board from around 5 years ago. This one looks a lot better and more active as well.

 

NOT TO FAMILIAR WITH 302'S BUT CHECK FOR A LUGGED UP FILTER IF THE TANK WASNT FULL WHEN YOU PARKED IT IT MAY HAVE RUSTED SOME AND PLUGGED ANY FILTERS SOLID IF YOU HAD RESIDUE IN THE TANK I WOULD DEFINATELY CHANGE FILTERS. AND SECOND TAKE YOUR FUEL LINE OFF FROM THE CARB PUT THE END IN A SUITABLE CONTAINER AND CRANK THE MOTOR TO SEE IF YOU ARE GETTING ADEQUATE FUEL FLOW. AND LAST CHECK THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE CARB YOU MAY HAVE GOTTEN SOME DEBRIS IN THE FUEL BOWLS IF SO CLEAN EM OUTAND CHECK THE NEEDLE AND SEAT IF IT LOOKS DRY ROTTED OR CRACKED AT ALL BUY A CARB REBUILD KIT AND SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF TROUBLE CUZ IF THAT IS DRYROTTED CHANCES ARE MOST OF THE SEALS IN THE CARB ARE TO HOPE THIS HELPS

 

It's been awhle since I could work on the truck - either the weather was horrible or I was too busy.

The carb looks clean. Not brand new, but clean. I cleaned out the fuel lines so they're empty. Then checked the fuel filter in the pump again (wanted to see if the new filter was clogged... fine but some a few debris were in the bottom of the filter cup). So I decided to crank it up and see if any gas showed up in the fuel filter cup at the fuel pump. I tried for awhile and checked the cup - it's dry. A quick check of the line coming out of the tank showed that it's still clear.

Looks like it's off to the parts store to get a new pump, better go now before the phone rings and I have to do anything!