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Fuel pump replacement

Lynn Kirkpatrick

Jedi Hopeful
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So I had to replace the fuel pump on my '68 BGT, the plastic housing decided to not be liquid-proof. With the new one in place (supplied very quickly by MG Bits & Spares, Joneboro, Ark.), and both of the fuel lines connected, I tuurned on the key. The pump made the usual clicking, but it didn't seem to be pumping. The clicking didn't slow down, as usual. The polarity was OK, I didn't short the fuse. I let it click for 15 secs, or so, for 3 times, and it still didn't sound like it was pumping. The rear had been jacked up , so I let it down onto the wheels. I also unhooked the line to the carbs. When I hit the key it pumped.

Did it pump because:
the line was connected and the pump couldn't prime?
the rear wheels were up (6" or so, the tank was 1/4 full)?
I just needed to let it pump longer?
I was holding my mouth wrong?

any ideas?
Lynn
 
HI Lynn, Perhaps with low fuel in the tank and the rear of the car jacked up may have uncovered the fuel pickup in the tank and the pump was initially just sucking air.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
Lynn - What kind of a replacement pump did you get? Is it a SU pump or one of the aftermarket pumps? If the pump is SU, then Keoke may be on the right track, or you may have the fuel lines reversed. When a SU pump is installed, the pump should be oriented such that the inlet/outlet ports are pointing toward the front of the car. With this orientation, the inlet line goes to the bottom port and the outlet line to the top port.

If the pump you installed is an aftermarket pump, such as the Facet pump, they have a bypass valve in them and will run continuously, even after the float bowls are full. Remove the fuel line from the carburetors and direct it into a container. Then turn on the ignition and see if you are getting any fuel out. Good luck - Dave
 
my vote is for D... you were holding your mouth wrong. However, as the other two have mentioned, it's possible the pump might have been sucking air while the rear was jacked up.
 
yup-yup. Haulin' wind. Don't matter a fig if it's the S.U. or an aftermarket one, as long as the pressure at the carb(s) is no more than 3.5~4.0 P.S.I... Fill th' tank and take a drive.
 
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