RV Repair: 1984 E-350 Tioga fuel pump issues, electric fuel pump, fuel pump

Question
Hi Ron, When I start my Tioga,84 Ford, E-350, 460/7.5 liter, Holley carbed engine, it runs fine for maybe 15 to 20 seconds and then it dies. I can restart it easily, and it does the same. I have noticed that I don't here what I've always thought was the fuel pump running. It seems to me that it would start running ~30 seconds after engine was running.. Would like to get an idea of where to start with troubleshooting. Trip planned for the 28th. Please HELP!!!!!

Thanx, Leonard in Salt Lake City

Answer
It all depends on your fuel pump configuration.  Some have only a mechanical pump on the engine, some have only an electric fuel pump and some have both (I have owned all three and prefer the mechanical/electric back up for obvious reasons).  I would suspect a fuel pump problem but it might be a carburator float problem as well.  Start by replacing the fuel pump and if that does not clear it up, it's time to pull the carburator apart and rebuild it.