Gas Pickup

[oldmountainfarm]

I put a new gas tank and new fuel lines on my 72 Mach 1. When I got it we were running it off a bottle therefore the mechanical fuel pump was working. I never could get it to pump gas after I installed the new tank and lines. I put an electric fuel pump between the tank and the hardline and bypassed the mechanical fuel pump. I finally got the electric pump pumping after a lot of primimg, blowing and, sucking. Got the car fired up and it ran fine in the shop everytime I cranked it that day. That was a month ago. Today I was ready to back it out of the shop after two years of restoration. It isn't getting any gas again. I was trying to take the electric pump off and go back to the mechanical. The electric pump is not getting gas to it again. Do I just need to get gas back into the lines or should it be picking it up?

 

[droptop73]

It should be self priming. How much fuel is in the tank? Are the lines clear? Did you replace the sender with the tank? Could there be a leak in the line somewhere?

 

[Fordication]

That has to suck, no really. Any chance you have a leak in the line anywhere?

 

[oldmountainfarm]

There is no leak in the lines. It just might not have enough gas in the tank. I replaced the sender unit also. The whole car is new! So if there is enough gas in the tank, when I take the rubber line lose from the tank, gas should come out?

 

[73vertproject]

There is no leak in the lines. It just might not have enough gas in the tank. I replaced the sender unit also. The whole car is new! So if there is enough gas in the tank, when I take the rubber line lose from the tank, gas should come out?

It should come out, especially if the gas cap is off. Does that make a difference (cap on vs. cap off)?

 

[oldmountainfarm]

It's never came out yet. Obviously, I don't have enough gas in it. Cap on or cap off. Hope that's it.

 

[OLE PONY]

Before you fill the tank take note of the position of the fuel gauge so you will know exactly what the gauge reads when it empty, it could be below, above on on the empty line.

 

[OPN PONY]

I put a new gas tank and new fuel lines on my 72 Mach 1. When I got it we were running it off a bottle therefore the mechanical fuel pump was working. It isn't getting any gas again. I was trying to take the electric pump off and go back to the mechanical. The electric pump is not getting gas to it again. Do I just need to get gas back into the lines or should it be picking it up?

Just a thought... Have you tried running a short new line from a separate container to the mechanical or electric fuel pump again? That could eliminate or confirm the concern of leaks in the new line from the tank and / or no fuel in the tank.

As far as the prob with the mechanical goes, I've replaced 2 mechanical pumps on 2 different cars in 2 years after they've sat for a while.

Hope you get it worked out.

 

[oldmountainfarm]

Good idea. I had in running with all the new lines and new tank with the electric pump bypassing the mechanical pump. I've also had it running with the mechanical pump with a bottle. I'm going to get 5 gallons of gas and try again.

 

[will e]

Before you fill the tank take note of the position of the fuel gauge so you will know exactly what the gauge reads when it empty, it could be below, above on on the empty line.

That is a really really good idea!

Good idea. I had in running with all the new lines and new tank with the electric pump bypassing the mechanical pump. I've also had it running with the mechanical pump with a bottle. I'm going to get 5 gallons of gas and try again.

Right! And with an electric pump you can just disconnect at the fuel filter and put into a coffee can and watch for the fuel to come out.

My Mustang ran low on fuel. Mech pump. I dumped almost 5 gallons in the tank and a 1/4 cup down the center carb and it fired right up. I knew I had a problem since I have a 'clear' fuel filter and could see a lack of the go juice....