The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts M60/292 fuel problem

I have a 1966 M60 with a 292 engine. It has started good. I went to start it yesterday it wouldn’t start. When I poured gas in the carburetor it would start and run till the gas was used up, and stop. I changed the fuel filter. There wasn’t any gas running out of the line going from the fuel filter to the tank, the line wasn’t blocked because I could blow air through it. Is there a fuel pump in the tank? Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks

Did you hear bubbles in the tank when you blew through the line? Is there gas in the tank? My '62 tank rusted out and drained when I wasn't looking. I use a mechanical fuel pump put that I rigged a handle to for testing. I connect it with a hose to the fuel line at the engine and pump into a can to see if fuel comes out. There could be a rust hole in the gas line letting in air or a bad rubber hose doing the same.

I put 5 gallons of gas in the tank. When I blew air through the line, I would hear a thump, I had the gas cap, off and I could feel air coming out. Does the fuel pump need to be primed?

Maybe you could get someone else to listen at the fuel filler for air bubbling through the gas as you blow. Its possible that the pickup has failed in the tank and no longer reaches the fuel. I don't know what the thump would be, I would listen for bubbles.

If the fuel pump is in good shape, it does not need to be primed, it will prime itself. If there is an air leak in the fuel line, the pump will suck air not fuel.

You might try feeding fuel to the pump from a container near the engine with a known good fuel line. Be careful, fires start this way with any mistake.

I might try to fit a pressure gauge to the output of the pump. I would expect to see about 3-5 psi with or without gas from a good pump. If the gauge is inserted in line and the carb is dry, no pressure will develop as it will be bled off by the open needle in the carb.

When getting an old car running we would disconnect line at fuel pump. Put air hose in filler neck and wrap a rag around it to keep air from escaping. (You don't want a good seal because you could damage something) Apply air to filler neck and if gas comes out of line re connect it, if it still does not run it is the pump or maybe carb. If gas shoots out of somewhere it is not supposed to that's a problem!
If no gas comes out of line but air does your tank is empty or pick up tube messed up. If nothing comes out you have a major restriction. Sock or inline filter or general crud.
The idea of a container to the fuel pump is a good one to test fuel pump and carb
Be careful!
Mike

What Mike said is good, especially the "Be careful!". I put air on a tank once and got a gasoline shower when unknown to me, the filler tube extended below the fuel level. About 2 gallons of gas sprayed out the inlet right on my chest. Pure luck that there was no fire and I was not poisoned by inhaling or swallowing.

Be careful!