Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Okay, usually on cold mornings my truck Just fires up first turn of the key, no pumping on the gas, nothing. This morning, My truck did not start.. I pumped on the gas, and it tried once, but nothing. It turns over, but never tries to run. :new::hmm:

I pulled my fuel line off of my carb, and pumped my gas; And no gas squirted out.

I put gas into my carb, and my truck starts and dies VERY quickly.

What does this sound like to you guys?


305 or 350 Motor. Th350 Tranny. Swb\2WD.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

:fb:

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Bad fuel pump !

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Is that the only thing it could be ?
What would you suggest on buying a new one? Should I get an Edelbrock one, or just a stock one. Edelbrock isn't any better is it; just chrome ?

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Yeah sounds like a fuel pump issue. Probably the diaphram in the pump went out. It should be a manual fuel pump and yes the edelbrock is just shiny.

You will also need a fuel pump rod - local parts store should be able to sell you one. It is a little tricky to get the rod up in there without a second person.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

So I shouldn't just buy a whole fuel pump?!
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Is it carb or tbi?
not pumping before a start sounds FI
how cold ?
frozen gas line?
how much gas in the tank?
seen cars parked on a slope not start,because of a frozen line!

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

It's not freezing here, It's a carb! And it's got about 4 or 5 gallons dual tank truck my gas gauge stopped recently if that matters
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

All carbs until 87 I think right?

First guess was choke wasn't working right but when he said no fuel was coming out that definitely sounds like a fuel pump and is also a cheap fix.

You can get a fuel pump from skipwhite that is chrome for pretty cheap. I have one on my new motor and it works good.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Pumping the gas wont make fuel squirt out with the fuel line off....
Cranking the engine should!

If you crank the engine and fuel and spurts, your pump is good...

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Great point Allengator.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Okay, my engine won't run, and when I turn my key and it's turning over, no fuel! And thanks rhdowns! I will look into those fuel pumps. I hope this is the problem my fuel pump doesn't feel like its pumping!
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

I went by you saying" just turn the key , no humping required"took that to be fi
Andpumping the gas would be carb if it squirted"inside"
And yes fi wasn't factory yet ,but Vins can be changed, my 85 burb lost 3 birthdays this year lol
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Lol that's funny, trucks can change age, why can't we haha! But yeah I hope it's my fuel pump! I'm ordering one tomorrow
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Loosen the fuel line at the fuel pump and see if you are getting fuel to the pump if you are check the output of the pump, crank the engine and see if fuel is being pumped to the carb. If you have a fuel filter before the pump it could be a clogged fuel filter.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Oh wow that's good to know! I will check that later! I honestly don't know where the fuel filter is! I don't have an in line one
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

fuel filter is at the inlet @the carb i think it's got an inch nut after the line ends
put the line in something you don't want gas all over and to be carefull of a backfire.....

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Could you post a pic of what your talking about
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

can't find one but follow your fuel line to the carb @ the point of entry the big nut holds the filter in place
loosen the line then the big nut(use wrenches to hold em when turning)

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

We actually checked my fuel pump by taking it off and then plugging the inlet and outlet hole and pressing down on it on a desk and then letting fingers off the hole - if it isn't busted it makes a little air sound from the pressure getting out.

That works if you don't have someone around to turn the engine over while you are up at the pump.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

I'm betting fuel pump as well. Was down that same road with my '85 last spring, actually.

Symptoms I experienced prior to pump failure were a sputtering and very rough idle. It finally stalled just as I pulled into my parking space, not to restart until the pump was replaced. i think that was the 3rd pump the truck has ever had since new.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Well mine would idle fine at first, and only sputter when going down the road at 70 and it started sputtering at lower and lower speeds, and then at idle. And the other day I went to the grocery store, and it tried to start, and died and hasn't started since!:(
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Okay this is the sight I went too!!
http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...aspx?Product=H

Which one did I get?
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...x?Item=PC-2751

This is the one you need. You also should get a new fuel rod like I said. I think I paid like 10 bucks for mine at advanced auto.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Is tht one universal for 305's and 350's
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

put a little grease on the end of the pump rod. that way it''ll let you get that pump up into the engine. worked for me before.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

So if I buy this, will it include everything I need?

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...x?Item=PC-2751

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Look man, don't buy that fuel pump you linked to. Go to the local parts store and get a stock one for about 20 bucks. It will fit right. That fancy one you linked to has universal fittings and you're going to be chasing around finding the proper fittings you need. Just buy the right pump and put it on and save yourself the trouble.

And, there is no reason to buy a fuel pump push rod like the other guy posted about twice. Why would you ? It's a piece of hardened steel that doesn't fail.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Will the new one be pretty? & Where exactly is this "fuel pump push rod" located ? in the fuel pump ? or what ?..:dum:

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Is this a dual tank truck? If so do both tanks work? If one does not work.. check the switch to see if it got switched to the wrong tank on accident.

I know from experience....when I thought my fuel pump was out and proceeded to try and pull the tank... to find out the switch had been flipped by my 4yr old.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Where is the switch? My right tank does work. but has no gas in it.. and My switch doesnt really work all of the time..

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

I agree with the grease on the end of the rod that does help it if you don't have someone to hold it up in there when putting the fuel pump on. Did that when I put mine on as well.

You do not have to buy a new rod but that rod which is hardened steel rubs against a cam shaft for tens of thousands of miles. I replaced mine it was cheap probably more important for me as mine was going against a new camshaft.

I got the fittings for that pump at advanced auto for a couple dollars. I agree go whatever the cheapest route is for you specially if you do not have a trimmed out motor and no plans for that.

Didn't realize you had two tanks. My truck only has one so definitely explore that route as well.

Great feedback here - really enjoy this board.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Don't take my previous response as disrespect to your opinion. There are reasons to change a pushrod as you pointed out. But, this guy is struggling to swap a fuel pump on his truck. I felt no need to further complicate the matter for him.

On the fuel pump, a decent Carter brand or equivalent at the local parts store will run 20 bucks or so and will have all the proper hose and line fittings all pointed in the right direction for his feed, vent, and outlet connections. It will be a remove and replace job. That fancy one is not going to be easy for him to get installed and hooked up on his truck since it's universal and has no fittings on it.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

That's exactly what I want.. quick and easy! And i was hoping that a new shiny one would be as easy to install as a stock one. I do have edelbrock valve covers carb and 14" cleaner and im soon getting the intake. and timing chain cover. So, I do want the chrome pump, but if it's that much trouble.. I don't really care! I just want to drive my truck again.. and I don't even know how to Change the pump. I will figure it out.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

The manual switch you push is in the middle of the dash. The actual switch for the tank is by the tank on the passenger side. It is mounted to the inner side of the frame.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

The switch used to work, I would hear it switch and everything.. but recently it stopped. and I had gas leaking from a hose on the switcher that looked cut, it was a hard plastic and about the width of a straw. Both of my tanks did work before though. but this hose has always been like that. and it only leaked like that for one day! thenext day, it didnt leak.

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

No offense taken at all great options you pointed out.
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Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

okay, so I have had the pump for 2 days now, and I can NOT get it into the motor :( I don't understand how to do it, I lift the pump rod and hold it there with a screwdriver! but I cant get the pump into the motor.. Does the little handle go into a hole or womething ? what

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

the rod has to go in the motor on same side of cam as old came out....

Re: Questions about 86 truck not starting.
 

Whoaa I got it guys! My truck is running!!!
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