Early this year I finally replaced the mechanical fuel pump & removed the electrical pump. Not long passed & it quit pumping so I put the electric fuel pump back on. The mechanical gets her started (pumps the gas to the carburetor) then the mechanical ( I have a toggle switch to turn it off/in) one keeps her going until I turn off the engine. I have to use the electric to get her cranked. Yesterday I drove the the auto parts place to get a new alternator. It would not crank up (run). Had to put a new electric pump on it. It wouldn’t get the gas pumped up until I sucked on the gas tube from the tank. It was very difficult to get the gas to my mouth & I could blow into the tank either. Usually I just start doing a project and find out later that I should have done something differently. So I’m asking what or how to do it? Remove the tank, clean it & replace the outlet? Can’t do anything with it in the truck?
I’m thinking the old rubber hose I see under the truck coming from the tank has collapsed.
1953 Chevy 153A 3/4-ton Working on my project since 2015 Follow along in my DITY
You basically have diagnosed your own problem. Start by pulling the gas tank and cleaning it or replacing it with a reproduction. Rock Auto has fair prices on replacement tanks. After that issue is resolved, replace the rubber and steel gas line from the tank to the pump and from pump to carburetor. Change/add filters along the way. No sense fighting old stuff when replacing is reasonably cheap. We can only assume you are referring to your ‘53 3/4 ton.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
You assume correctly, I did post that on the subject. None the less I’m glad to have reinforcements! Looks like I can remove it without taking out the seat. Too bad I just filled the tank! What does the outlet look like, just a metal tube that the hose slides over? Thanks
1953 Chevy 153A 3/4-ton Working on my project since 2015 Follow along in my DITY
Check that brass petcock under the tank. Mine was full of a crusty residue if I remember it correctly. I am running a repro fuel tank and stainless lines and so far so good.
Too early to pull gas tank. Some of your story does not make sense. Please read your post. You say mechanical twice. I don't think you mean mechanical gets it started and mechanical keeps it going. Don't use the word "cranked". Cranked means when the starter turns the flywheel. Just tell us what is wrong. What is your issue right now.
1. Does the motor start or not right now? 2. What fuel pumps are connected. 3. You don't need or want two fuel pumps. Stop using two fuel pumps. 4. If you were able to suck gas from tank, thru a long hose, by mouth......you don't have any obstruction!!!! 5. What cubic inch is the motor? What year is the motor? 6. Where exactly were you sucking on hose? 7. You need to do some testing when you are ready we will help. 8. Let us know what you have done, if anything, since last post today.
Answer the questions and comments in order. Be specific.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
Barton’s, I did not see your post. I’ve moved on. The tank is out. I’ll get new hoses and put her back in if I don’t see a problem there. I could hardly suck gas from the tank using the metal pipe transversing the undercarriage to the fuel pump. I have two pumps, electric for backup with a toggle switch. The old mechanical pump stopped working a long time ago so I put in a mechanical one. I also replaced the mechanical pump this summer but it seemed to get a problem getting gas to the carburetor. So I put another electrical pump in. Yesterday I replaced it (electrical one with a new one. Thanks. I’ll post updated information.
1953 Chevy 153A 3/4-ton Working on my project since 2015 Follow along in my DITY
[img]https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...134C029-7883-460F-93C9-860551654609.jpeg[/img]Update. No plugged up or vent problems. Although the hose could use replacement anyway. So now with the tank out I’m testing by blowing or sucking the line from the mechanical fuel pump.. it has gas in it & it pumps when I turn the engine over. Should I assume that it is normal to have difficulty sucking through the mechanical pump, or blowing through it?
1953 Chevy 153A 3/4-ton Working on my project since 2015 Follow along in my DITY
I have one question, do you have the stock (type) fuel pump on the engine and 1 inline electric fuel pump? I can understand your desire to make progress while you have time and waiting on answers from us takes valuable time away from making it run. You will find bartamos to be a very methodical person who gets easily frustrated when his suggestions are not followed to the letter. He’s a good guy and will help if you let him. You are on the right track towards making it run just off track with him. If you have free unrestricted flow of fuel out of the tank fitting then work your way towards the carburetor section by section until you have flow all the way. Just a note: the fuel pumps, both mechanical and electric, purchased today are hit and miss with getting a good one. One step at a time and you’ll be back to driving soon.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Just a quick F/U for the evening. A clean tank replaced with new flexible gas lines. Presently draining the gas back into the truck. Electric fuel pump primed itself quickly. Turned it off. She fired up quickly and is running smoothly. So like an airplane, I have redundancy for fuel pumps. Dudnt really find the problem but it seems to be cured. Want to thank this web site for its followers & positive input to my problem. The other probably just needs to get a job & grow up!
1953 Chevy 153A 3/4-ton Working on my project since 2015 Follow along in my DITY
It sounds like you were probably correct in your original speculation about the rubber fuel hose being bad. That, and possibly some crud in the tank. It appears that you have addressed those issues and fixed the problem. Glad you got it fixed! Hope it keeps working for you.
Just saw your message. Thank you. I do have a stock mechanical FP, placed this past summer. It worked fine for a while then I began having problems starting even if it’s hot and I turn her off for a little. Thus the reason for connecting another electric FP. I didn’t find a plugged hose nor trash anyplace unless it was hidden in the metal gas line. The alternator went bad too so I replaced it while doing the tank. I do appreciate everyone on this site. They’ve been so helpful so often. Next time I drive her I’ll know for sure if she is fixed. 😉
1953 Chevy 153A 3/4-ton Working on my project since 2015 Follow along in my DITY
glennj3 I would stay with metal fuel lines all I could,GM used Rochester systems (lot of steel) for long term safety handling gasoline. Modern soft fuel line is not extra durable. Also with electric pumps they can be a problem especially in crash situations !
