The Ford Barn

dan ia · 04-17-2020, 08:31 AM

Good morning,

We have a 1957 thunderbird with 312 and holley 4 barrel in our shop. The fuel pump was leaking through the 2 holes on the side (I'm guessing its a bypass of sorts?), we got a new fuel pump from NAPA and sent the old one in for a core (Mistake)... put the new fuel pump on and it won't get gas up to the carb, it just starves the motor. We tried priming the pump and running the car for 2 minutes and it still will not get gas up to the carb.

We figured maybe its just a bad aftermarket pump, so got another fuel pump from carquest. Same results! Both pumps are installed correctly on the cam lobe. When we put them on the bench, they both have good vacuum and push out, but the arm has to have full travel in order to push air out... Is it possible that the arms are incorrect and not getting the travel needed to work properly?? We are kind of stumped right now, so hoping someone else has run into this and can shed some light on the situation. I really don't want to have to put a electric pump on just to get around this problem!

Thanks!!

scicala · 04-17-2020, 10:25 AM

My first guess would be that they are giving you pumps for the wrong application. It sounds like it works on the bench and the original you removed worked well. it just leaked (sign of a bad diaphragm). Might want to check the oil for gas contamination too, depending on how long it was leaking.

Sal

KULTULZ · 04-17-2020, 12:38 PM

I definitely would get back with NAPA and get the core back. If an early style, it can be rebuilt. At the least be able to compare the actuating arms.

dan ia · 04-17-2020, 03:23 PM

The pumps show it should be for the correct application. We are going to try one last time ordering a new one. We did call NAPA, they already sent the core in... so it's long gone.

paul2748 · 04-17-2020, 07:29 PM

Order a pump from the TBird parts suppliers. Are you sure you are getting the arm on the correct side of the eccentric (underneath)

KULTULZ · 04-17-2020, 11:22 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Did you compare the actuating arms of the old and new pump?

58Yeoman · 04-17-2020, 11:22 PM

I can't remember the particulars, because it was about 50 years ago. My oldest brother gave me a 58 Mercury with a 383 in it, and it didn't run well. IIRC, the fuel pump was in front, on top. The push rod had gotten worn down, and the guy at the gas station brazed a lump on the end of the arm on the pump to get it to work.

paul2748 · 04-18-2020, 07:50 PM

No pushrod on a Yblock (239-312). Pump runs off an eccentric off the cam.

04-17-2020, 08:31 AM	#1
dan ia Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southwest Iowa Posts: 22	1957 T bird new fuel pump problems!! Good morning, We have a 1957 thunderbird with 312 and holley 4 barrel in our shop. The fuel pump was leaking through the 2 holes on the side (I'm guessing its a bypass of sorts?), we got a new fuel pump from NAPA and sent the old one in for a core (Mistake)... put the new fuel pump on and it won't get gas up to the carb, it just starves the motor. We tried priming the pump and running the car for 2 minutes and it still will not get gas up to the carb. We figured maybe its just a bad aftermarket pump, so got another fuel pump from carquest. Same results! Both pumps are installed correctly on the cam lobe. When we put them on the bench, they both have good vacuum and push out, but the arm has to have full travel in order to push air out... Is it possible that the arms are incorrect and not getting the travel needed to work properly?? We are kind of stumped right now, so hoping someone else has run into this and can shed some light on the situation. I really don't want to have to put a electric pump on just to get around this problem! Thanks!!

04-17-2020, 10:25 AM	#2
scicala Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Detroit suburb, MI Posts: 3,698	Re: 1957 T bird new fuel pump problems!! My first guess would be that they are giving you pumps for the wrong application. It sounds like it works on the bench and the original you removed worked well. it just leaked (sign of a bad diaphragm). Might want to check the oil for gas contamination too, depending on how long it was leaking. Sal

04-17-2020, 12:38 PM	#3
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,466	Re: 1957 T bird new fuel pump problems!! I definitely would get back with NAPA and get the core back. If an early style, it can be rebuilt. At the least be able to compare the actuating arms. __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

04-17-2020, 03:23 PM	#4
dan ia Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southwest Iowa Posts: 22	Re: 1957 T bird new fuel pump problems!! The pumps show it should be for the correct application. We are going to try one last time ordering a new one. We did call NAPA, they already sent the core in... so it's long gone.

04-17-2020, 07:29 PM	#5
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,980	Re: 1957 T bird new fuel pump problems!! Order a pump from the TBird parts suppliers. Are you sure you are getting the arm on the correct side of the eccentric (underneath) __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

04-17-2020, 11:22 PM	#6
KULTULZ Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: IN A 'GALAXIE' FAR FAR AWAY Posts: 6,466	Re: 1957 T bird new fuel pump problems!! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Did you compare the actuating arms of the old and new pump? __________________ *** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ... DIAGNOSED CDO** - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order)

04-17-2020, 11:22 PM	#7
58Yeoman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 187	Re: 1957 T bird new fuel pump problems!! I can't remember the particulars, because it was about 50 years ago. My oldest brother gave me a 58 Mercury with a 383 in it, and it didn't run well. IIRC, the fuel pump was in front, on top. The push rod had gotten worn down, and the guy at the gas station brazed a lump on the end of the arm on the pump to get it to work.

04-18-2020, 07:50 PM	#8
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,980	Re: 1957 T bird new fuel pump problems!! No pushrod on a Yblock (239-312). Pump runs off an eccentric off the cam. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria