Hi everyone, I am getting close to firing up the car. I have drained the tank, replaced the fuel filter and rebuilt the carb. I have a suspicion with regards to the fuel pump. I would like to test the pump with my vacuum gauge, but I dont want to put any gas in the tank in case I have to drop it. Since there is no gas in the system since I rebuilt the carb and etc I was thinking of disconnecting the fuel line from the carb and then disconnect the fuel inlet line to the fuel pump, then place my vacuum gauge where the fuel inlet line goes into the fuel pump and then crank the car over a few times. Does anyone know what type of reading I should get on the vacuum gauge when cranking over the car only ? Any ideas would help. Thanks. Ratt
Folks may say otherwise, but if the pump doesn't look like it's been leaking, especially from the breather holes in the back of the pump...they'd be nice and clean. Put a couple gallons in the tank and crank it over. you may want to prime the oil, though...and that'll require pulling the distributor... If you're really apprehensive to put gas in the tank...just run a hose from the pump to a gas can. Since you've replaced the filter, that should do the job if there's a bit of crud in the lines or pump. Maybe just blow them out with a bit of air?
Thanks. I was thinking the same idea about running a small can of gas to the fuel pump directly and see what happens. I will also blow out the lines and see what happens. Cant hurt to try, will keep the forum posted.
Due to a bad experience I recently had, I'd recommend that you replace the pump if you have any doubts about it... I got my 1970 455 installed and on the road for a month and then one day the car started running poorly. I limped it home and the next morning it was fine. It seemed to be running really rich. Much to my chagrim, after parking on a hill for an hour and being unable to start it, I went to check the oil and the entire crankcase was full of fuel... The diaphragm in the fuel pump was ruptured and spilling gas straight into the crankcase, but its' pump pressure was still good enough to get the car to run. Now I have the cleanest 1970 motor ever, and it only cost me 3/4 of a tank of premium gas, a fuel pump, and 3 oil / filter changes in rapid succession!!!
