Tractor Repair: 1957 ford powermaster deisel fuel problem, deisel fuel, clear plastic tubing

Question
A new fuel pump was put on this tractor a year ago and it performed fine a 3 months ago. Now when I go to start it, it will run for a few seconds and quit like its not getting a steady flow of fuel. I bled all the fuel lines leading to the pump and removed #1 injector line to make sure fuel was reaching the cylinders. All looked ok. Fuel filter was replaced. I have a general understanding about diesel engine operation and have done my own repairs most of the time. This seems like the fuel is some how restricted. What I don't know is: does the fuel injector pump actually suck the fuel from the output of the fuel filter pulling fuel into the pump? I get a good gravity flow from the tank to the filter and it doesn't seem like a problem to that point. From the filter output bleeder there is also a good flow which indicates fuel is reaching the pump in sufficient quantity. But still when I push the heater and start it runs fine for about 5 seconds then runs out of fuel, I think. Thank you in advance for any help.
Chuck

Answer
Hello,

  Now that you know you are getting good fuel flow from the tank and filters, check the fuel flow right at the injection pump.  It is also possible that there is a suction leak drawing air into the fuel.  Inspect all fittings and lines, filter gaskets, etc. and if any fittings have rubber compression sleeves, replace them.  On some fuel problems, I have installed clear plastic tubing in place of the fuel line so I could see if air was getting into the fuel, and if it was actually starving for fuel.  You could leave an injector line fitting loose and start the engine to see if the fuel looks foamy when it squirts out or if it is a solid stream, and if the fuel stops squirting as the engine is dying.  Also make sure the air intake and filter isn't plugged.  This can cause a similar starting problem.   Most important, don't assume there can't be a problem with the injection pump just because it was new a year ago.  Nothing is impossible.  If everything else is OK, there could be a governor problem in the pump.