QuestionI own a 1929 chevy which is not getting gas. I rebuilt the fuel pump, but still not pumping fuel. There is gas coming from the line on the gas tank.What are some of the things I can look for to get this thing running
AnswerThere are a couple of things to check:
First, have someone operate the starter while you check with a vacuum gauge to see if there is suction on the inlet fitting to the fuel pump. If there is no suction there, the pump is not working, either because of an assembly problem or because the cam is not working the pump arm up and down as the engine turns.
Second, if there IS suction at the pump inlet, disconnect the pump outlet fitting and just run the engine on the starter, or feed gas directly from an elevated gas container into the fuel inlet on the carburetor to run the engine - either way, exercise the fuel pump this way to prime it - perhaps it will begin to pump after that, often they have difficulty priming themselves after a rebuilt, especially if there is a little dust on the valve seats.
If you cannot get gas to pulse from the pump this way, try to pressurize the gas tank slightly - do NOT exceed about 5 psi! Use a good pressure regulator on your compressor to guarantee the pressure won't be any higher than that - the tank can't take much pressure.
With pressure in the tank, make sure gas flows freely out of the line fitting at the pump inlet end, and also that gas flows through the pump and up to the carburetor - it should if everything is good with the pump and lines.
Make very sure that the carburetor inlet valve is not stuck shut - the easy way to do this is to just blow on the fuel line leading into the carburetor. If the float bowl is empty, there should be no difficulty blowing air into the carburetor. If the line seems to be blocked, the problem is in the inlet to the carburetor, probably a stuck float or inlet valve.
One of these things should clear up the problem - if it doesn't ask me again and I'll try to think of other causes.
Dick
