fuel pump trouble

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Oct 15, 2004 | 04:08 PM

bremen242

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From: GANS

fuel pump trouble

I posted this over in the Windsor engine without much luck. I'd figure I'd give you guys a shot...

I have a '85 351W in my f250. I have a clear fuel filter. gas seems to just trickle in when idling (which is fine), but when you get on it, the gas really doesn't come in any faster, and it wants to cut out..

It has a feed&return style mechanical pump.. I know it is odd, but that is want it came with.. I had replacemend the original fuel lines with regular rubber hoses.

Can the pump diaphram leak, and have gas leak back in the return line?? I know it can leak into the block, but I haven't gained any oil..

or is the pump stucking the rubber lines shut??

I don't want to spend 30bux on a new fuel pump to find out the hoses are bad, but I don't want to spend $200 on a HiPO pump and braided stainless..
or do I get a carter electric pump and push the fuel to the carb so the line doesn't collapse?

also, how are you supposed to attach braided stainless to a normal ford-type fuel sender??

Oct 15, 2004 | 04:13 PM

ivanribic

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From: Spokane, WA

I'm wondering if bypassing the return line will solve your problem. Is there a way to pinch or clamp it closed to test it? I'd imagine that's your problem, you don't really need a return on a mechanical pump but if that's the path of least resitance your gas will build pressure down that line instead of to your carb.

Oct 15, 2004 | 04:44 PM

bremen242

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From: GANS

hmmm. good idea.. I'll have to visegrip or c-clamp it and see if it builds up quicker.. or blows off a gas line

or I'll bust out some braided stainless, in your honor

. Anyone else use summit's braided stainless?

Oct 15, 2004 | 04:50 PM

ivanribic

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From: Spokane, WA

I just bought a big roll of braided line off of ebay for $20 that I use for all my projects. Otherwise that stuff gets really pricey.

Oct 16, 2004 | 10:58 AM

proeliator

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From: Oregon

I've never seen a mechanical with a return line before. It must have some sort of regulator built into it that tells it how much to send to the carb and how much to send down the return line. I imagine blocking off the return line is a good start (a return isn't needed with a mechanical like it is with an electric), but if you do this throw a pressure gauge on before the carb and make sure its not sending more than 6.5 max to the end. Its possible an internal diaphram is leaking, its also possible that your clear filter is causing too much of a restriction in conjunction with however your pump is failing. Those things aren't high flowing like they advertise.

Oct 16, 2004 | 08:17 PM

bremen242

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From: GANS

hmm.. I guess I'll start by pinching the line.. I guess i'll have to find a fuel pressure gauge.. hmm

what do you guys think about running an electric fuel pump to push??

Oct 17, 2004 | 10:32 AM

Texan1983

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From: Des Moines, Iowa

i would try to get everything on the mechanical running right. adding and electric pump only adds complications. i tried to switch over to an electric fuel pump but burned three pumps, had to add special relays and return lines and hated the thought on more elecricals to go bad on the trail. mechanicals may not be the most reliable either, but at least they are easy to replace and cheap to buy. both have there ups and downs but i wouldn't run both at the same time. one good mechanical pump should do the job if working right, unless you have a monster of an engine.