Priming fuel pump after sitting

[Salomi22]

Just curious what the best method is to prime the fuel system after sitting an extended period of time. 49 B1 everything original, and it takes many cranks to finally get her started. Trying to reduce any wear and tear on the starter if possible or what different methods might be useful that I haven't tried or thought of. No electric in line fuel pump so just using the mechanical one only. 

[Roofus]

A tightly waterproof carburetor helps ... an anti-return valve at the reservoir too ...

Edited Saturday at 07:23 AM by Roofus

[DJ194950]

(1 ) ump some fuel down the carb with a squirt bottle.

 

(2) install a electric fuel pump back by the fuel tank with a toggle switch in the cab to use only when needed.

 

Beyond this it is crank/ crank / crank.  😉  Been there/ done that.

 

Up to you.

 

DJ

[bkahler]

As DJ suggested, an electric pump on a toggle switch helps a lot.  I have an electric pump by the tank on a switch and two weeks ago I started my truck after it sat for 6 months.  It only took about 2 turns of the flywheel before it fired off and idled great.  I let it run for a minute or two and then turned the pump off.

Edited Saturday at 12:18 PM by bkahler

[JBNeal]

A full tank of fresh gasoline should give a little head pressure at the mechanical fuel pump inlet, that can help...if'n ya got a substantial amount of old gas without fuel stabilizer, that gas will not fire unless the engine is spinning fast.  One trick I learned on stock 6V is to disconnect the voltage regulator and start the engine on a 12V battery to get the starter to spin faster.  Kill the engine once it fires on 12V, reconnect VR and 6V battery, then attempt to start on the stock setup.

 

If your '49 has original battery cables, it might be time to replace them as that could be contributing to slowed starter cranking speed.

[tanda62]

I also use an electric pump located next to the tank for priming. I have a momentary push button switch located under the dash. Turn the key on and press the button switch for a few seconds, then a couple of presses of the gas pedal and then the starter. This system has worked well for several years now and even after a month of sitting fires right up. I also use marine gas (no ethenol) and that may help when the truck sits.

Tom

[Los_Control]

While many say it is bad ... I will just give it a squirt of starting fluid.

I do not remove the air cleaner, just spray a little into it. .... This will be enough to get the engine to fire off.

Even if it just tries to start and die, it is spinning fast enough to get the fuel flowing.

 

I have seen some remove the air cleaner and spray it into the carburetor to keep a engine running .... that is bad and will wash the cylinder walls.

Just a whiff to get things flowing, I do not feel is bad. .... sure saves on the starter and battery.

[lostviking]

I personally don't mind cranking to get gas to the carb. The engine has been sitting, so there is no oil anywhere. Cranking in bursts lubes the engine, and gets gas to the carb.

 

Mine will usually start almost immediately up to two weeks or so. After that, I'd rather lube the engine before it fires.

[bach4660]

as long as looks don't matter

[jpwuertz]

I agree with a previous poster about squirting some gas down the carb.  I use chain saw gas because this has a bit of oil in it to lube the cylinders when it starts.  This saves a lot of cranking to save on the starter.  I have a B3B and it is still 6 volts.  

[greg g]

I have a plastic syrup  (Lego my eggo) squeeze bottle.  Usually a squirt or two does the trick.  For stubborn situations I put a piece of clear fuel line onto the  nozzle and shoot it down the carb vent tube to fill the float chamber/s