The Ford Barn

40Ford!! · 05-02-2013, 09:31 PM

Ok, her is my problem, my 35 flatty will not start. I just had my carb rebuilt, replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs and it will not pull fuel from tank. I used an air hose and blew air through the fuel line (took it off at fuel pump) and pushed air through line. I could hear bubbles in the tank so I believe there is nothing blocking the line from the fuel tank. I then blew some air fuel tank and did not move any fuel into the sediments glass. I then removed the fuel line at the carb and I used a syringe and injected some fuel directly into carb to fill the float bowl. Tried starting it again and zippo! No go. It did sputter a little but would not fire up. What do I need to do to get this thing to pull fuel? I don't know what else to do. I will welcome your suggestions.

FLA48 · 05-02-2013, 09:41 PM

Did you check the flexible fuel line leading up to the fuel pump? It may be clogged just enough for the fuel pump not to be able to overcome the restriction. Next, disconnect the fuel line at the carb, turn the engine over with the starter and see if fuel is reaching the carb. This is assuming the engine fired when you filled the bowl.

Andy · 05-02-2013, 10:05 PM

That flex line at the pump can look great but can leak air into the line. The air will prevent the pump from working. Run a line from a gas can to the pump and try it. You can also put you finger over the pump inlet and check for vac when cranking the engine to check the pump.

FL&WVMIKE · 05-02-2013, 10:30 PM

40ford!! ............................
My guess is that it is your fuel pump.
Check your gaskets in your fuel pump. If they are not sealing and are leaking, it will not pump gasoline. It will just pump air.
MIKE

Brendan · 05-02-2013, 10:34 PM

try pouring some fuel in the carb and see what happens, I had to do that a couple of times

ken ct · 05-02-2013, 11:47 PM

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Air leak some where in the pump or line.You stated "changed pump" no mention of a new China made one, a rebuilt ,or just another used pump??? You can check a pump off the car by working the lever and feeling suction with your thumb and output the same way before you even install it. ken ct.

FlatheadTed · 05-03-2013, 04:49 AM

You shot a carb bowl full of feul ,so it should have started . I would be looking at cleaning the points .Checking the spark ,it should jump of the plug wire a .1/4 "

40Ford!! · 05-03-2013, 05:09 AM

Thanks for e suggestions everyone. Sounds like the consensus is a fuel pump related problem. The new fuel pump came from Joe's Antiques so I assume it of good quality? Anyway, I got to thinking about how things went together. i remember when I replaced the fuel pump stand gasket i noticed there is a ridge on the intake and the reverse ridge on the bottom of the stand. i assume so the to halves will marry tight when placing the gasket back on and toghtening? Well, I remember when I placed the new gasket on it did NOT seat around the ridge but rather ON TOP OF the ridge. When I set the stand back on I could tell it was wobbling a little but I assumed this was normal and would go away once I tightened it all up. So maybe the gasket it sitting wrong because it needs to be trimmed so it is a bit larger to go around the ridge? That would explain the possibility of air leaking in somewhere. Am I on to something?

George/Maine · 05-03-2013, 08:28 AM

If you take a shotglass of gas into carb and does,nt start you have ign problems.

05-02-2013, 09:31 PM	#1
40Ford!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 104	35 Flathead not starting Ok, her is my problem, my 35 flatty will not start. I just had my carb rebuilt, replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs and it will not pull fuel from tank. I used an air hose and blew air through the fuel line (took it off at fuel pump) and pushed air through line. I could hear bubbles in the tank so I believe there is nothing blocking the line from the fuel tank. I then blew some air fuel tank and did not move any fuel into the sediments glass. I then removed the fuel line at the carb and I used a syringe and injected some fuel directly into carb to fill the float bowl. Tried starting it again and zippo! No go. It did sputter a little but would not fire up. What do I need to do to get this thing to pull fuel? I don't know what else to do. I will welcome your suggestions.

05-02-2013, 09:41 PM	#2
FLA48 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Conroe TX Posts: 170	Re: 35 Flathead not starting Did you check the flexible fuel line leading up to the fuel pump? It may be clogged just enough for the fuel pump not to be able to overcome the restriction. Next, disconnect the fuel line at the carb, turn the engine over with the starter and see if fuel is reaching the carb. This is assuming the engine fired when you filled the bowl.

05-02-2013, 10:05 PM	#3
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,772	Re: 35 Flathead not starting That flex line at the pump can look great but can leak air into the line. The air will prevent the pump from working. Run a line from a gas can to the pump and try it. You can also put you finger over the pump inlet and check for vac when cranking the engine to check the pump.

05-02-2013, 10:30 PM	#4
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: 35 Flathead not starting 40ford!! ............................ My guess is that it is your fuel pump. Check your gaskets in your fuel pump. If they are not sealing and are leaking, it will not pump gasoline. It will just pump air. MIKE

05-02-2013, 10:34 PM	#5
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,904	Re: 35 Flathead not starting try pouring some fuel in the carb and see what happens, I had to do that a couple of times __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

05-02-2013, 11:47 PM	#6
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: 35 Flathead not starting Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Air leak some where in the pump or line.You stated "changed pump" no mention of a new China made one, a rebuilt ,or just another used pump??? You can check a pump off the car by working the lever and feeling suction with your thumb and output the same way before you even install it. ken ct.

05-03-2013, 04:49 AM	#7
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,706	Re: 35 Flathead not starting You shot a carb bowl full of feul ,so it should have started . I would be looking at cleaning the points .Checking the spark ,it should jump of the plug wire a .1/4 " __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

05-03-2013, 05:09 AM	#8
40Ford!! Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 104	Re: 35 Flathead not starting Thanks for e suggestions everyone. Sounds like the consensus is a fuel pump related problem. The new fuel pump came from Joe's Antiques so I assume it of good quality? Anyway, I got to thinking about how things went together. i remember when I replaced the fuel pump stand gasket i noticed there is a ridge on the intake and the reverse ridge on the bottom of the stand. i assume so the to halves will marry tight when placing the gasket back on and toghtening? Well, I remember when I placed the new gasket on it did NOT seat around the ridge but rather ON TOP OF the ridge. When I set the stand back on I could tell it was wobbling a little but I assumed this was normal and would go away once I tightened it all up. So maybe the gasket it sitting wrong because it needs to be trimmed so it is a bit larger to go around the ridge? That would explain the possibility of air leaking in somewhere. Am I on to something?

05-03-2013, 08:28 AM	#9
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: 35 Flathead not starting If you take a shotglass of gas into carb and does,nt start you have ign problems.