VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc not getting fuel to the carb

I'm not getting fuel to the carb on my stock 1938 chevy 216. I tried replacing the fuel pump with a spare one, and still nothing. I even tried a makeshift soda bottle full of gas connected to the fuel pump. Nothing. Any other suggestions?

Did you remove the fuel line at the carburetor to see if you are getting fuel there? At any rate, it could be that you have a flat lobe on the camshaft and it is not activating the pump arm enough for the fuel pump to actually pump gas from the gas tank.

Blow out the fuel line from the pump to the tank. a test would be to remove the gas cap and blow in the line at the fuel pump. You should be able to hear bubbling in the tank.

I pulled the fuel line. Ran air thru it. I even ran a pice of weed eater line thru it.when I removed the line from the tank, gas started coming out.

If the two fuel pumps that you tried can't pump gas out of a bottle, then the problem is between the fuel pump and the carburetor. Could be either the fuel pumps themselves or a flat lobe on the cam.

When was the last time you drove your car? Did you have any problem then? If your car has been sitting for a while the float maybe stuck, freezing the float needle in the closed position. This is assuming you have disconnected the gas line at the carburetor and have gas to the carburetor.

Good luck, Mike

The car was running, but now it's not. I did remove the line at the carb while I did my tests. The gas is not coming out of the line.

I removed the fuel pump from the engine, connected a line at the inlet and placed it in the gas. I pumped the lever by hand, and it is shooting gas out the other end.

I suspect the problem in the cam shaft lobe?

Questions:

1: If i install an electric pump, can i leave the glass bowl pump in place? Will the electric pump just push the fuel straight thru the glass bowl pump?

2: If the mecanical pump starts working for some reason, will it be a problem having an electricl pump and a mechalical pump on there?

1 yes
2 no

thank you, I have one more glass bowl pump im going to try tonight. If that doesn't work, I will start researching electric fuel pumps.

Hi Modoil,

Thought you should skim through these old posts. You can find more good ideas by doing a search of our old posts. Let us know if you need some help doing one.

Good luck, Mike

Fuel system problems

ok, I used my compressor and put air in the fuel tank, forcing the gas out the line to the fuel pump. I connected the line to the fuel pump, and added more air. The air filled the fuel pump. I cranked the engine until the fuel started coming out of the line near the carb. I connected the carb, and started the engine. We'll see if it still works tomorrow.

Thank you all for your help.

if you disconnect the fuel line from the pump, blow air into the fuel tank, does gas flow quickly and freely !?? the way i read this sounds like you have a clogged line ?!?

Did you do a test of the Vacuum on the inlet of the fuel pump ?@! disconnect both inlet and outlet lines to the pump, I use a vacuum gauge, if you do NOT have one can put your finger over the inlet. Spin the motor around a few times and see if you get a reading on gauge, or a pop when you remove your finger. this way you will KNOW if your pump is sucking.

Also double check that your glass bowl is SEALING via the gasket on the fuel pump. For BOTH Pumps. Make sure the metal surface the bowl mounts on is FLAT. If either is out you may be sucking air and will never suck fuel in.

I know you also use 2 Different Fuel Pumps, sounds like one of them should work based on you pumping lever and fuel came out of it...

Found this in the 1929 Service News I have...
Pretty good explanation of the Fuel Pump

Might have tried a fuel pump pressure gauge...If fuel comes out of a disconnected carb. line at the carb...Needle valve stuck...

Just a thought...

am having the exact same problem-car sat for 5 years in garage
rebuilt carb and installed new fuel pump, pump bowl will not stay full

suspect a clogged line or a split in the line

can not believe both fuel pumps would be bad...........

I am dealing with a 51.

If a line was split you would have a leak. I would disconnect the line at the fuel pump inlet and connect to a temporary source bypassing the fuel tank. Did you drain and flush the tank? If not that should be done as chances are there is lots of gum and varnish inside from the old gas.

Or perhaps the tank had some sealer added at one time...Clogged my inlet tube in the tank itself...Tried blowing it out from the fuel pump line...didn't work, had to remove the tank...Kept clogging...

Never heard back from the poster as to whether it was fixed or not.

Sorry guys,

I think it was just an empty tank, and air in line from blowing it out. after putting gas in tank and using the air to push it thru the line, everythings been working fine. I think I still need to rebuild the carb, but that's another project.

Thank you for everyone's suggestions and advice.

Sometimes the most obvious solutions are the ones that are overlooked.

Now it's time to check your gas gauge operation.