Triumph Repair: 1979 Triump Spitfire, triump spitfire, vacuum gauge

Question
I had to change the fuel pump on the car about a year ago and now when I go up a steep hill the engine seems to sputter and almost run out of gas.  When we level out it picks up again and runs fine

Answer
Hi John,
Going up a hill does two things, One is the angle of a hill may be affecting the fuel pick-up in the tank and the height it must pump the fuel. But also the load on the engine requires much more fuel than on level ground. So you need to first put a "T" in the fuel line between the pump and the carb. Then run a hose out from under the hood to a pressure gauge. I usually just hang the gauge under a wiper arm so I can read the fuel pressure while going up a steep grade or hard acceleration. Fuel pressure gauges are not expensive and usually are part of a vacuum gauge available at most any auto parts stores. Some even come with "T" connections. Do not run the hose and gauge inside the car for obvious reasons.
You should see the same pressure on the gauge going up a grade as on level ground. Usually 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 PSI is OK. If the pressure is low it can be a stopped up fuel filter, stopped up fuel tank venting, a pinched fuel line, an obstruction in the fuel pick-up tube in the tank or a faulty fuel pump.
To test for tank venting just stop at the bottom of a steep grade and open the gas cap and make a test run up the grade. To test for an obstruction or pinched line, remove the line on the pump and put it low to the ground in a pan or such to see if fuel flows freely. To test a fuel filter remove it and first drain the fuel out of the filter in a jar or pan by draining it out of the inlet side and look for trash in the fuel then just blow through the filter in the direction of the flow. If all that is good then the pump is at fault. If the fuel pressure is good when doing the steep grade test then you could have a restriction in the float chamber needle valve or an electrical problem that is noted when the engine is under load which twists the engine over to one side.
Let me know what you find.
Howard