Next challenge - fuel pump

[jdrader2]

In preparation of getting my dodge woodie to the brake shop for a full adjustment I went to start it up after it sat for a few weeks. During the first start up a month or so ago I noticed some fuel dripping but couldn’t find the source. During this attempt it was streaming out of the fuel pump. So new challenge…

 

I finally got the pump off the block which was way harder than I thought it would be. My goal is to get it off to Then and Now for a rebuild. Sadly I had to cut the flex hose between the fuel pump and the hard line but it was probably good because it was pretty brittle. I ordered a new one from Roberts Motor Parts. 
 

Question for all of you. I checked the oil and it smells like gas (bad gas). The truck didn’t run too long with the leak so I’m hoping I can just replace the fuel pump and change the oil and filter and call it good. Am I down playing the issue or missing steps here?

 

Thanks all. 

[Young Ed]

New pump and oil/filter should be good

[jdrader2]

That’s great. Thank you. One foot in front of another. ☺️

[ggdad1951]

I had a fuel pump puke on me and get gas in the oil, drained and let it vent out for a few days and put in new oil and filter and been good for 9+ years.

[jdrader2]

I keep trying Then and Now to get the fuel pump rebuilt, however it seems like they are only taking calls on Monday and Thursday and so far haven’t heard back. Anyone aware of changes in their service?

 

And anyone have ideas on a Plan B to keep the progress in a rebuild?  
 

 

[ggdad1951]

6 hours ago, jdrader2 said:

I keep trying Then and Now to get the fuel pump rebuilt, however it seems like they are only taking calls on Monday and Thursday and so far haven’t heard back. Anyone aware of changes in their service?

 

And anyone have ideas on a Plan B to keep the progress in a rebuild?  

 

You can actually rebuild the pump yourself, it's not that complicated and you should be able to buy the rebuild kit.

[WPVT]

I bought a rebuild kit from Then and Now. It's an easy job, I think they have instructions that come with the kit. The tricky part is getting up the nerve to pry the valves out with a screwdriver. They do pop right out, though. I actually had them on the phone when I did mine....just for moral support ! 

[jdrader2]

Well…I’m back again. I ordered a new pump from Roberts motors. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that it was different from my existing pump. The flange is in a different spot to attach to the engine. So either I look for one that matches my old pump, or I have to totally reroute the copper fuel line to the carburetor which seems challenging. Looking for suggestions on if my current pump is the wrong one for the truck or if the new one I got is the wrong one for the truck. that will help me decide if I try and find a matching new pump or find a rebuild kit for the existing pump. Or maybe I need to find a way to reroute the copper line.
Here’s a picture of the old and the new. Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks

[The Oil Soup]

Take off those Phillips screws and rotate the top counterclockwise 60°, put it back together and you should be good.

[Los_Control]

Wonder why your old one is rotated? The new one is exactly what mine looks like that I bought from Napa, & the same as the original I took off.

[DJ194950]

Is the bolt on mounting flange at a different angle as it appears?

 

If it is it is the wrong pump. If not  and is at the same mount angle, then rotate the top as other have suggested.

 

DJ

[jdrader2]

You guys are awesome! I rotated the flange so it should work. Next challenge is the flexible line from the fuel pump to the hard line has the wrong end. My old one was a female to male on the hardline. New one is a male end. Heading to Napa to see if I can find an adapter.
 

When installing the gasket, I assume I should use oil safe gasket sealer?  Nothing was mentioned in the service manual, but seems like a good idea. 

[ggdad1951]

FEF's was angled as well.  All I've taken off trucks have been angled as well?

[Los_Control]

Just now, ggdad1951 said:

FEF's was angled as well.  All I've taken off trucks have been angled as well?

I stand corrected then.

Mine is straight & I am still using the fuel line that came with it meaning it needed no mods to connect.

I wonder what the difference was .... possibly the heat shroud?

[jdrader2]

Well, I got the fuel pump installed. A 4 post car lift would have been great but I don’t see getting that by the boss. I used gasket sealer on the gasket for the side attached to the truck….then installed everything else and about two hours later realized I didn’t put gasket sealer between the pump and the gasket. Hopefully it will seal ok or I’ll be doing it again real soon. The stuff said to wait 24 hours so I haven’t tried it yet. Fingers crossed. 

[jdrader2]

Nope. I’m still missing some thing. I tried to start it and cranked and cranked but no fuel is getting to the glass filter bowl.

Just to confirm, there’s no fancy way to install these pumps correct? No push rods or some thing other than pushing the pump in?

I have 10 gallons of fresh gas, so maybe I need to prime it somehow. 
 

You guys have been on a roll helping me, so hopefully you have another idea here.

 

UPDATE: I disconnected the flex line from and placed it in gas while my wife hit the starter. No gas was drawing in. So either it’s a faulty pump, or installed it wrong. 
 

when we figure out we could turn the pump 45 degrees I did have it apart and on the inlet side I had to remove a small plug to change which inlet to use (putting the plug back in the other inlet opening. Anyway, stuck here. 
 

 

Edited September 10, 2023 by jdrader2

[Los_Control]

Have you tried priming the carb? ... With the engine running the higher rpm will get the pump working. Or should.

 

If you can start it and run off the carb for several seconds & pump still not working .... I would look for other issues like a hole in the line sucking in air.

[DJ194950]

Did you plug the other Inlet port and also the 2nd. outlet port with pipe plugs.?

 

I also hate to ask this but--

 

DJ

[jdrader2]

Hallelujah!!  Got her running. Essentially I had to disconnect the flex line and made a make-shift siphon to get the gas up from the tank. Then put it back together and started feeding the carb as Los_Control mentioned. Noticed a small amount of gas in the glass filter bowl and figured it was close. Kept doing it until it fired up. 
 

What a process. Thank you guys for the suggestions. Now I can get it to the shop for the brake adjustments. 
 

Running a little rough but no surprise after a few years of sitting. 

Edited September 10, 2023 by jdrader2

[The Oil Soup]

Mine came with the pump straight out from the engine and the splash pan under it has a hole there to service the sediment bowl from below.

[Los_Control]

This is another reason to add a electric fuel pump as a booster.

If it sits for a couple months and todays gasoline evaporate .... you can use the electric to prime the system.

 

If you do not drive this often & let it sit for a few months in between driving it, you may have to repeat the bottle feeding process to get it going again.

If you add a electric pump in the system, you can just turn it on for 30 seconds to prime the system and run with the manual pump.

 

Another advantage is if you are out driving around and experience vapor lock. You can turn on the electric pump and run off it until the problem passes.

 

You may not experience these issues, it is a common problem for older carburated cars using modern fuel. Modern cars using electric fuel pumps do not have the problem.

 

Just something to think about if in the future you have these problems, there is a cure for it.

[jdrader2]

Yah, might need to do the electric pump. I let it sit for a few hours and it wouldn’t fire up. Had to put some more gas in the carb. Maybe it’s still working off bad’ish gas in the hard line but we’ll see. 

[ggdad1951]

No idea on the angle vs. straight bit...might have been a common thing to change back in the day or maybe different plant did differnt things?  Regardless it will work in any orientation!