The Ford Barn

mercman from oz · 05-11-2019, 05:22 AM

Last year, my 34 Ford V8 had fuel problems that we out down to residue and rubbish in the fuel tank. I removed it and had it professionally cleaned. While it was out, I blue the fuel line with air, to ensure that it was all clear. Refitted the fuel tank and started it with a prime, but it did not continue running. Bought a new fuel pump and fitted it today, but the results are no different. It runs good as long as I pour petrol down the carburetor. As soon as the fuel runs out, the motor quits. The flexible fuel line is clear, as I can low through it, however, it is rather stiff? can anyone give me any suggestions on how to get it running?

Doug 845 · 05-11-2019, 06:37 AM

At this point, I would disconnect the fuel line at the carb to see if fuel is actually getting to the carb when you crank the engine over. If the new pump is doing its job, the problem might be a clogged carb caused by the previous residue in the tank.

jimTN · 05-11-2019, 07:45 AM

I would be suspect of the fitting on your tank pick up leaking air/vac since it has been apart. I have had that problem on a 34. Since the line has to pull gas up from the tank verses a line that goes in the side like the later Fords, sealing is extra critical.

Flathead Fever · 05-11-2019, 06:47 PM

Hook a vauum gauge up to the fuel pump and see if it is creating a vacuum. Then disconnect the line at the tank and see if you have vacuum there. If it has one of those fuel lines with the woven cloth covering on the firewall, the rubber will crack under the fabric where you cannot see it. I went through this on a '57 T-bird. I then installed a NOS hose that was bought in the 1960s by my grandfather and stored in a sealed jar. Still would not prime the pump. The hose look brand new, nice and flexible. I covered the fabric in dish soap and blew on it and it bubbled out of the fabric from one end to the other.

Lawrie · 05-12-2019, 02:58 AM

Try a short hose from the suction side of the fuel pump and into a lawn mower fuel tin,but before you do that,put a small amount of fuel down the carb start the engine and stick your thumb over the intake port on the pump to see if the pump pulls a vacum,
What you realy need is a fuel pump with a prime lever on it.
Lawrie

flatheadmurre · 05-12-2019, 03:41 AM

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I´m with Lawrie on this one...hook it up to see if the pump can draw fuel.
Sometimes pumps can´t draw fuel dry when not perfectly sealed in the checkvalves...putting your hand over the carb and cranking let´s you use the motor vacuum to draw fuel into the pump...but a new pump shouldn´t need that..
If the pushrod is worn or wrong lenght (to long) the pump may also not work as it should.

mercman from oz · 05-12-2019, 05:47 PM

Thanks for all your hints and suggestions. Firstly, I am going to buy a new Flexible Hose, as the one that I have on it is so stiff, it is very difficult to bend. I think that it could be the problem. While I can blow through it, I think that it may be sucking air.

stangblue · 05-12-2019, 07:46 PM

First thing I do is prime the fuel pump. Pull off the cap and prime. Check the rubber gasket if rubber to see if its blown up, if it is put in cork. This happened to me with a new pump.

05-11-2019, 05:22 AM	#1
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	34 won't start? Last year, my 34 Ford V8 had fuel problems that we out down to residue and rubbish in the fuel tank. I removed it and had it professionally cleaned. While it was out, I blue the fuel line with air, to ensure that it was all clear. Refitted the fuel tank and started it with a prime, but it did not continue running. Bought a new fuel pump and fitted it today, but the results are no different. It runs good as long as I pour petrol down the carburetor. As soon as the fuel runs out, the motor quits. The flexible fuel line is clear, as I can low through it, however, it is rather stiff? can anyone give me any suggestions on how to get it running?

05-11-2019, 06:37 AM	#2
Doug 845 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fishkill, NY Posts: 178	Re: 34 won't start? At this point, I would disconnect the fuel line at the carb to see if fuel is actually getting to the carb when you crank the engine over. If the new pump is doing its job, the problem might be a clogged carb caused by the previous residue in the tank.

05-11-2019, 07:45 AM	#3
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,508	Re: 34 won't start? I would be suspect of the fitting on your tank pick up leaking air/vac since it has been apart. I have had that problem on a 34. Since the line has to pull gas up from the tank verses a line that goes in the side like the later Fords, sealing is extra critical.

05-11-2019, 06:47 PM	#4
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,094	Re: 34 won't start? Hook a vauum gauge up to the fuel pump and see if it is creating a vacuum. Then disconnect the line at the tank and see if you have vacuum there. If it has one of those fuel lines with the woven cloth covering on the firewall, the rubber will crack under the fabric where you cannot see it. I went through this on a '57 T-bird. I then installed a NOS hose that was bought in the 1960s by my grandfather and stored in a sealed jar. Still would not prime the pump. The hose look brand new, nice and flexible. I covered the fabric in dish soap and blew on it and it bubbled out of the fabric from one end to the other.

05-12-2019, 02:58 AM	#5
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,212	Re: 34 won't start? Try a short hose from the suction side of the fuel pump and into a lawn mower fuel tin,but before you do that,put a small amount of fuel down the carb start the engine and stick your thumb over the intake port on the pump to see if the pump pulls a vacum, What you realy need is a fuel pump with a prime lever on it. Lawrie

05-12-2019, 03:41 AM	#6
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: 34 won't start? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I´m with Lawrie on this one...hook it up to see if the pump can draw fuel. Sometimes pumps can´t draw fuel dry when not perfectly sealed in the checkvalves...putting your hand over the carb and cranking let´s you use the motor vacuum to draw fuel into the pump...but a new pump shouldn´t need that.. If the pushrod is worn or wrong lenght (to long) the pump may also not work as it should.

05-12-2019, 05:47 PM	#7
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,361	Re: 34 won't start? Thanks for all your hints and suggestions. Firstly, I am going to buy a new Flexible Hose, as the one that I have on it is so stiff, it is very difficult to bend. I think that it could be the problem. While I can blow through it, I think that it may be sucking air.

05-12-2019, 07:46 PM	#8
stangblue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 370	Re: 34 won't start? First thing I do is prime the fuel pump. Pull off the cap and prime. Check the rubber gasket if rubber to see if its blown up, if it is put in cork. This happened to me with a new pump. __________________ Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups.