Topic: '36 fuel pump problems (pic)


Flatbob    -- 10-25-2011 @ 9:52 AM
  Sorry if this post appears twice. Had debris in the fuel system a few days ago, problem solved and car drove great but as soon as I shut it off it would not restart. Debris isn't the problem this time as line, fuel pump and carb are clean. I have a new pump a couple years old and an original earl '36 pump that both appear to be in good condition. The newer pump won't draw fuel from the tank and the original will draw to the sediment bowl but not deliver to the carb. Initially I used a one man brake bleeder to draw fuel from the tank to the inlet on the carb, having done that the car would start immediately and as I say drove great but would not restart. Any ideas? Can anyone explain the 4 (breather?) holes on the bottom of the original pump?


supereal    -- 10-25-2011 @ 10:12 AM
  Does the car have the original fuel line from the tank to the firewall? Due to the alcohol in gas, rust and dirt have become a problem. The line is just large enough (1/4") to supply adequate fuel supply, and any accumulation of crud reduces the qualtity until the fuel pump can't draw a sufficient amount. If it takes a My-T-Vac to draw fuel, I suspect line replacement is due. Be sure the gas tank cap is properly vented. The holes on the lower side of the fuel pump are vents to allow the diaphragm to breathe as it flexes.


Flatbob    -- 10-25-2011 @ 10:50 AM
  Super, I replaced the fuel line with one from Nacewizc. I've blown fuel line clear in both directions. I've been cranking with gas cap off, vent line is also clear. If I can somehow get fuel on the carb side of the pump it will run but no luck so far. Thanks, Bob


Dolman    -- 10-25-2011 @ 2:08 PM
  Had a similar problem with my '34 until I pulled the pump pushrod and found that it was severely worn. Put in a new pushrod and the problem went away. Just a thought.




37RAGTOPMAN    -- 10-25-2011 @ 2:37 PM
  here is a idea,
what about taking one of the pumps off the stand,
work it by hand and see if it pumps fuel,
have someone sit in the car, with hand on the ign switch, just incase,
hole the pump in you hand and pump the fuel and see if the car starts and runs,
I would suggest, rebuilding the pump with a modern kit from THEN AND NOW in MASS,
I use them, this way you keep the pump original and do not have to use a CHINA part on your car,
this is what I like to do,one less CHINA part, one more
AMERICAN has a job,
hope this helps 37RAGTOPMAN


supereal    -- 10-25-2011 @ 3:10 PM
  If the main line is clear, I'd check the flex line at the firewall. These lines have a rubber liner which can swell shut, or collapse.


Flatbob    -- 10-25-2011 @ 3:17 PM
  Dolman, took your advice & pulled fue"l pump push rod but measures out right on the money 7.87" as I would expect it to as the car only has 267 miles on it. I replaced it with a new one from C&G when I rebuilt engine. Thanks for the thought. Bob


Flatbob    -- 10-25-2011 @ 3:24 PM
  37ragtopman, like all your ideas especially the China part. Will contact THEN AND NOW. If I understand correctly you're suggesting I use a fuel source other than the gas tank to check fuel pump operation; such as a small cup? Is it possible to activate pump by hand fast enough to pick up fuel? Thanks Bob


37RAGTOPMAN    -- 10-25-2011 @ 5:42 PM
  I think, if you use a punch to work fuel pump it should be able to run the engine with no problems.
leaving the fuel lines hooked up.
use leather gloves. so you do not cut yourself,
I enclosed a picture of the kit from,THEN and NOW,
I understand they make there own parts.
and you can see this kit does a few different years of fuel pumps, and the good quality of the parts ,check the picture
hope this helps. 37RAGTOPMAN
Lets hear how you made out,

This message was edited by 37RAGTOPMAN on 10-25-11 @ 5:45 PM


TomO    -- 10-26-2011 @ 7:55 AM
  Bob,

Here is an except form my V-8 Times article on fuel pumps.

Failure to prime: There have been many complaints about gas evaporating from the carburetor when the vehicle sits for more than a week. This means that the fuel pump must prime itself and pump some gas into the carburetor before the engine will start. The Ford V-8 fuel pump must be able to generate and hold vacuum in order to draw the gas from the tank and lift it as much as 18 inches to the sediment bowl. Once the pump is primed, the pump must deliver gas to the carburetor. The source of the vacuum is the diaphragm and the input valve acts to hold the vacuum. A good pump will prime itself in about 30 seconds and start the car in about 60 seconds. Add about 30 seconds of time to fill the glass sediment bowl. Do not crank your car continuously for this length of time or you will burn out the starter.

If you are having a problem with priming the fuel pump, hook a vacuum gauge to the input of the fuel pump and crank the engine. The vacuum gauge reading should rise to 10 inches in 18 seconds. Stop cranking the engine and watch the needle on the gauge. It should take at least one minute to reach 0. In order of probability causes of failure in this area are top cover or sediment bowl gasket leaks, input valve not working or defective diaphragm. The valves in the new after market pumps made by Air-Tek will not hold vacuum above 5 inches. This may lead to priming failures. The valves in the pre 1941 fuel pumps are more likely to fail than the later type.

If the above test showed that the fuel pump was OK, move the gauge to the next connection in the input side of the fuel pump and retest. This will check out the flex line and the connections to the tank. If these tests results show good connections, the problem could be plugged lines or tank pickup. A bad connection may not leak fuel, but it will leak vacuum. The flex lines can leak at the crimp for the connection or from pinholes caused by not being alcohol resistant. Another cause of failure to prime is rust clogging the line or the pickup in the tank. To check the line, disconnect it at both ends and blow through it from the fuel pump end with compressed air. The tank end should be directed into a container to catch whatever comes out of the line.

Did you solder the ferrules to the gas line at both the tank and flex line connections? Doing this, helps to seal the line from air leaks.

The 4 breather holes are just one way to allow the diaphragm to move air. The other pump breathes through the one hole. There would be little differences in the operation.

The diaphragm creates vacuum and the return spring creates the pressure to push the fuel to the carburetor.

The original pump may have a weak spring or defective valves. Use your vacuum gauge to check the output pressure. It should be fro 2-3 lbs.


Tom


carguy    -- 10-26-2011 @ 8:44 AM
  I had similar problems with my '34 and although I chased many possible issues the one that seemed to do the trick for me was the installation of a flex hose with a built in check valve which I purchased from Robert Shewman. Mr. Shewman is a regular advertiser in the V8 times.

Bill Brown
'34 Cabriolet


Flatbob    -- 10-26-2011 @ 1:43 PM
  37ragtopman, contacted THEN AND NOW said they would get back to me as the number stamped on my fuel pump doesn't jive with their numbers. My fuel pump looks exactly like the one in the '35-'36 Book. Thanks for taking the time to send picture. Bob


Flatbob    -- 10-26-2011 @ 1:51 PM
  TomO, thanks for the print out, made a copy & will take into the garage with me tomorrow. No, haven't soldered the pump to carb fuel line ends but will do so if all else fails. Thanks, Bob


Flatbob    -- 10-26-2011 @ 1:53 PM
  TomO, thanks for the print out, made a copy & will take into the garage with me tomorrow. No, haven't soldered the pump to carb fuel line ends but will do so if all else fails. Thanks, Bob


Flatbob    -- 10-26-2011 @ 2:29 PM
  Bill, I will be contacting Mr. Shewman. Thanks, Bob


37RAGTOPMAN    -- 10-27-2011 @ 1:14 PM
  Flatbob
when you call THEN and NOW, ask for Tom
he is the owner,
tell him which year,
the kit does a few years, the guy working there did the same thing with me,
they did use AC and CARTER,as far as I can remember
just ask for Tom,
hope this helps,,37RAGTOPMAN



supereal    -- 10-27-2011 @ 2:09 PM
  If you use Teflon tape on any part of the fuel system, don't be surprised if you have problems. All connections should be made with new ferrules and an end of the metal line which is not dented or otherwise damaged. A slight air leak will usually result in poor fuel delivery. That is why we solder the ferrules before tightening the joint.


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