I just bought a new fuel pump for my freshly rebuilt 383. Why, my original pump was starving the carb at top RPM. I put in the new pump and it worked fine for 4 miles then lost all fuel pressure. Got it home and tested the line from the tank with a vacuum pump and it flowed fine. Pulled the pump and checked the pump rod and it is moving freely with good stroke and it did leave the usual mark on the pump lever. I moved the pump lever and it pumped properly. Reinstalled it and still no fuel. What is up and has anyone had a similar problem with resolution, and please help. By the way the new pump is a carter pump.
CHINARTER !tape .....Thats what they should call them.The failures on new pumps is amazing.I went through 2,before i found one that would pump properly!....Everything is made in China !tape ,including our FLAGS....,AIN,T that SICK..... !stars Glen
Joined: Sat Dec 10 2005, 04:28PM
Location: United States
Posts: 4954
Put your finger over the inlet of the pump and stroke the lever. See if it sucks on your finger and holds the vacuum. If it does, it's not the pump
Tank sock clogged, kinked or colapsed hose or line. Blow some air back through the fuel line and try it again if the pump passes the above test. If you get better results, after that, start checking the fuel lines, and rubber connections. Remember, there is a hose under the passenger side bulkhead. It's for flex to the line that goes into the sub-frame. The line running down the body from that point to the tank is prone to rust. It may be leaking vacuum, but not fuel. Or it is and you haven't seen it.
Also check to be sure you have the proper gas cap. If it isn't vented, take the cap off and try the car. If that solves the problem, then get a new cap
The clue here is yiu were hurting for fuel before.
Hi, You said that you checked your line from the tank. Did you also check the line from the pump to the carb? And, also the carb? Check/replace any fuel filters?
"worked fine for 4 miles then lost all fuel pressure" sounds like a blockage problem somehwere.
Also, was you original pump a Carter also? Rated at 70 gph? If so, it really shouldn't be starving of fuel for your 383. Again, an indication of an obstruction. What size fuel ines are you running?
If not a blockage problem in fuel system... **Make sure your fuel tank vent is not obstructed also.
I had good luck with a Carter fuel pump on a 383. Thought it went bad and replaced it, onlt to have same problem. Ended up being a small piece of rubber that somehow came from the tank and then worked its way through system- freeing, then clogging, then freeing, clogging....
I have all new rubber lines on all locations from the tank even the little line in and out of frame mid body. I checked blockage from the tank by using an vacuum pump and flowed with no resistance. The first thing I checked was the fuel filter and ran the pump to an open line to check flow, none. Carb is new edelbrock 750. And checked the new pump manually and appears to pump and draw fine. Also checked the gas cap, the original, and tryed it with it off, I have 1/2 a tank of gas. I have checked everything to my knowledge and all seems correct. I am going to put on the old pump and see if it works............. !banana
Joined: Sun Oct 09 2005, 05:02PM
Location: ALLEN PARK, MI.
Posts: 2007
Pray it is not a "worse case condition" where your fuel pump eccentric lobe is worn down to the point where it is barely pumping the arm! I know it is rare, but CAN happen when your going thru the list of things! The pushrod can make a mark just resting on the arm with engine vibration. Is your oil system doing ok?
As the gang said, it may just end up as a vacume leak or blocked line. Fuel filter good? Bang a fuel line somewhere and pinch it? Tony P.
Just pushing it into the street fuel ran from the tank line. But ........ I was just taking a look at the same idea of the fuel pump rod and I need to know what is retaining the rod in the block other than the plug under the fuel pump to pull it out. Does it have a clip because I removed the plug this morning to pull the rod out and it will not pull down far at all.