256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

I bought a 54 ford customline with a 256 y block. i was told by the previous owner it had some 55 f-100 parts on the engine rebuild. i don't fully know what all was modded and would like to better understand it, and i have very basic mechanical skills (using this car to learn on). This car has been a daily driver for me.

Anyways, the mechanical fuel pump that was on it when purchased a year ago was a delphi mf0063 mechanical pump. it failed the day i got the car while going down the highway, carb was recently rebuilt before i bought it also. I swapped out that pump for another one just like it. fast forward a year and 2k miles later, and it may be failing again.

I ran the tank a lil low and while coming home one night on the highway, it died. i put a few gallons of gas in it, and was able to drive it home, but it would die every mile or so. the car wouldnt start unless i let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then it would die again.

now, i checked and replaced the fuel filter. still issues.

i checked the PSI coming off the fuel pump and it is 7 psi (seems a lil high).

the car will idle and run in the garage, but if i try to drive around the block it will die again, and then fire back up a few mins later.

next steps i plan to do are check the carb for settlement or the jet, or replace with another fuel pump. is it possible this pump is still failing even though its showing 7 psi? should i be using a different pump? it has a 12 volt system, should i switch to electric on the pump? is there anything electrical i should be checking or is this likely a fuel delivery problem. if it is a vapor lock, why would it drive fine for 2k miles and now all of a sudden be an issue?

sorry if this is a very newbie question, because i will admit i dont know much. just trying to figure out if i should replace the pump with something else, or continue diagnosing in other ways.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

There is NO REASON to be sorry. This is why this MESSAGE BOARD is here to help someone in your predicament.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

The only way a 54 FORD would come through with a 256CI 4V P-CODE ENGINE (dual exhaust) was the POLICE PACKAGE. They either performed an engine swap/modification(s) from a 54 MERC 256CI 4V or 1955/ light truck 256CI/272CI 2V.

The current pump you have (DELPHI MF0063) is an aftermarket single action as it has no vacuum pump for the wipers. It shows having an attached canister which held the filter element in early applications. Did you find the flier in that canister or in-line?

Is the current CARB a 2V?

Most likely, the tank is full of trash and combine that with ethanol laced gasoline will give you the problem(s) you are describing. If it is pumping @ 7PSI, that will be another problem.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

It is a 4 door sedan customline with a p code VIN

There is also a p code on the engine? This would help me figured out if it was a swap. He said it was rebuilt with a few performance mods and 55-f100 parts. From my understanding it was the original police package.

Fuel filter I changed is inline. Between pump port and carb.

The canister I can’t get open for the life of me.

The gasket was pretty worn between the pump and engine case also when o removed it.

Carb is 2 barrel.

I mostly run no eth 100 percent real gas. But but have done eth a couple of times.

Lastly, I can’t find the right fit fuel pump for that car, that runs at 4-5psi.
Do you have a recommendation for a pump?

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

The character P in the first FOUR of the VIN shows it being assembled with the 256 CI 4V engine, which was the MERC STD engine for 1954.

You have a special car.

The canister is fake (most likely). Why they do that is a mystery to me.

... hmmp ... Someone must have removed the 4V Carb and Intake or the engine is a swap.

Let me work on the correct pump.

The car still has vacuum wipers?

Are you able to take and post photos in a PM (PRIVATE MESSAGE) as you won't have enough posts yet to show them here?

EDIT - ILL's ADDED BELOW

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

Yes. Be happy to take photos. I just got home from work and going to go work on it.

Wipers are disconnected and I planned to hookup a 12 volt moter kit from shoebox. Not sure if they are vacuum or not but def wasn’t connected to the fuel pump.

I love this car and it deserves to be back on the road asap. :)

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

No hurry ...

AUTOMATIC?

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

Yes fordomatic.

This car ran great the past year and now it’s time for me to actually learn how to keep it on the road :)

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

Ok serial code on the door frame is *P4DG1 starting out.

Where could I find a code on the engine itself?

I did just take the pump and the air cleaner off and looks like I may have a metal piece broken on the throttle linkage on the carb. Unless it’s just a stopper of sorts.

What all do you wants photos of?


I can’t send a pm until I post a few more messages sadly.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

I sincerely doubt the canister is a fake. Your engine may be set up using the 55 and later parts. The pump you most likely have is for a FE engine (332,352,360, 390,427) engine, which also fits a YBlock (55-64). I have such a pump on the 312 in my 54 Ford. I use a fuel pressure regulater. It has a filter inside. If that filter is bad, then that may be the cause of your problem. So you definitely have a later fuel pump set up, not the stock 54.


Addition: if the pump is new, then the filter is probably ok)

You can buy fuel pressure regulators and set it to the desired pressure.

Have you done any work on the ignition system? If so, what did you replace. new condensers have a very bad rep (china stuff). so if you changed that I would suggest going back to your old one if it worked prior to removal. They heat up, fail, cool off and work, and then fail when reheated..

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

Did a little research for you. That pump is designed for 1966-69 Ford trucks, most likely a 360. Also fits Mercs for 1966 (most likely a 360)


Best bet is to get a fuel pressure regulator . The specs say the pump is rated at 9PSI


Do you notice a bad gas smell ? The pressure may be overwhelming the carb (if stock 54/55) causing it to flood.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

So I did a little more research. The engine code is an ebv. This indicates 239 y block from a 55 truck. which did use the 2v carb.
Not the 256 like I thought he said. I think he did performance mods to make it more like a 256, but not sure what they could be.

If my research is correct it’s likely it’s an engine swap from a truck and not the original engine. Car is still a police model but the whole thing pretty much was rebuilt under the hood when I got it. New everything. Wiring. Ignition. Etc.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

Carb is not stock either.

It’s a motorcraft 6-327A

Do I have a hodgepodge of stuff under the hood?


Also dual exhaust with side pipes. Car is lowered. It was running beautifully until just recently

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

I’m trying to avoid the pump that is on it by figuring out exactly what I’m working with and just get the right pump.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

Where did you come across EBV?

As for the pump, it does have the canister for a filter cartridge, but I can find no info on a replacement cartridge from DELPHI. It is a CHI-CON SLOPPY-COPY.

There are (were) special service tool(s) to hopefully remove the canister without damaging it (similar to spin-on oil filter). Need to call DELPHI to see if it was assembled with a filter and if there is a service replacement (let me know). Repl canisters/filters were readily available OEM. Need to see the INSTRUCTION SHEET to see if a cartridge was included or why the installer used a separate in-line filter.

Now, the pump puts out way too much pressure for a stock application (it is calibrated for a FE HI-PO application). It is dangerous and a piece of junk, especially if you need a pressure regulator for it. Just another complication to go bad. Akin to engine oil additives. If you feel you need an additive, you are using the wrong oil.

If the present pump works (1955/ FYB and FE), there are single action pumps without the filter cartridge. But you need the correct pressure calibration (I have the specs but need to dig for them).

The CARB is a CHAMPION F-2100 2V rebuild. I would be very concerned with the quality as they state no core charge and rebuilt from old cores. 499.00 is steep, especially if the rebuild info is not given or the core is not identified.

You can go on the assumption it is a 239CI CLV engine swap or try to ID each component (intake - cyl head - front timing cover - cyl head) by CASTING ID to hopefully arrive at the modification(s).

Either way, help is no problem.

CORRECTION - PREVIOUS THREAD

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...33#post2380633

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

If the block says EBV, then it is a 55 engine, 239. The EBV's were built like all the rest of the Yblocks (272,292,312) so I can see why the pump you have is the later style.

I have a 55-58 Yblock pump. It was a runner when it was pulled but it has been off for about a year so I would recommend a rebuild. It came off a sedan. It is a 2 stage pump (vacuum and fuel). Price is 50.00 plus shipping. I can post some pics if you are interested.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

CAST ALUM or STAMPED STEEL? Any ID STAMPING?

Can you post a photo(s)?

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

OK ...

The CARB was upgraded to a F-2100 2V four bolt hold-down.

Was a spacer/adapter used or was the intake upgraded?

See CASTING ID location below -

Also need a photo of or the DIST ASSY ID NOS off of the housing to see if LOAD-O-MATIC or later DUAL ADVANCE.

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

corrected

Re: 256 y block 54 customline FUEL PUMP
 

Good Luck with your project! Hope you sort its ills out soon. As mentioned, i would definitely want to be sure the fuel tank is 'trash' free.

...and all supply lines and components connected, are too. to include carb ~