The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Gas Pump

I have put a new gas pump on my 1953 235 and I have an in-line fuel filter in front of the carb, but the filter does not fill up. In fact it is very low in the see thru filter. This is the same problem the old pump had. Someone said that the cam could be wore out and that I should put on an electric pump. Also is there a way to adjust the pressure on the mechanical pump or are they set at the factory?
Thanks

Well, does the motor start up OK?

No adjustment for fuel pressure on the factory pump. Is it a glass bowl type filter or is it a aftermarket filter with a hose connection on each end?

If the engine starts and runs, there isn't a problem.
If the plastic filter is installed correctly, the fuel comes in to the housing and runs down to the lowest point. It passes through the paper and when the fuel reaches the level of the outlet, it flows into the carb.
When the float valve closes the fuel stops flowing. If the filter is horizontal it will rarely be more than 1/2 full, if the outlet is lower than the inlet there will be even less. There is no air bleed to remove the air from the can.
The only way it will be full is if you have it in the vertical line with the outlet on top, then it has to push all the air out as it fills to the outlet.
If you had it in a vertical line flowing down, you would be lucky to see 1/4 inch of fuel.

It does not run much. When I can keep it running I watch the see thru filter and it has just a 1/8 inch of gas in the bottom. I blew the line out to the tank and to the carb. I think that it is time for an electric fuel pump.
Thanks

Its highly unlikely the cam is bad. Take the line that goes into the carb loose & put a rubber hose on it. Put it down in a cup or bottle. Start the engine & see how long it takes to put gas in the cup. It should pump several ounces in a few seconds. You may have a carburetor problem.

It's up to you but you are just guessing and throwing money at it until you do a little testing as mentioned. If you are in a hurry and don't want us to evaluate with a bunch of questions, go for it. If not in a hurry do a Pump flow test and teaspoon of gas in carb to see if it fires right up and so on. Don't know why you want to rush into an electric fuel pump? That is NOT the thing to do no matter what "someone" said. I will bet you that an electric fuel pump will have too much pressure. Then you have to get a regulator and ..... It's just a friendly 235 and there are just a few things that could be wrong and many, many experts on here for that engine so don't rush it. So far you have a filter that you think is not full enough and a motor that you say barely starts. Maybe those two are related and maybe not. We don't know what "does not run much means". Does it start right up or not? Will it drive down the road? What does it do exactly and when? Any gas leaks or smell? Take filter out of the system temporarily, put a fuel hose between where filter was attached to line and other end to carb or..... temporarily replace filter with a Wix 33033 and see if that helps. Is filter before or after pump? If the carb does not have a built in filter, put one before and after pump.

first48,

Follow bartamos's (and others') advice. Do a little more diagnostics.

Also, if you and others agree that you will want to go with an electric fuel pump, you will probably want a 4-8 psi pump (you will then not need a pressure regulator) - 6v and 12v fuel pumps are available.

there is no reason for an electric fuel pump. The mechanical has worked for about 100 years now. I can pretty much guarantee a mechanical pump is all you will need. Of course you need to make sure it is operating properly. Also the filter never actually fills up, I don't know exactly why, but mine hasn't been filling up for 30 years now. I have never worried about it, as it has ran fine for the same 30 years. If you don't have a suction line filter, there is a good possibility you have a chunk of rust or some little bitty thing stuck in one or both of the valves in the pump, it is very easy to check and fix, just take off the top and it is all right there, it will be very apparent if there is something stuck, as it will be right there before your eyes.