Questions about 86 truck not starting.

[Mrtn15]

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.

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.

[Mrtn15]

[terryj]

Bad fuel pump !

[Mrtn15]

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 ?

[rhdowns]

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.

[Mrtn15]

So I shouldn't just buy a whole fuel pump?!
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[motornut]

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!

[Mrtn15]

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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[rhdowns]

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.

[Mrtn15]

Originally Posted by rhdowns

All carbs until 87 I think.

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.

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

Which one did I get?
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[rhdowns]

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.

[Mrtn15]

Is tht one universal for 305's and 350's
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[allengator]

Originally Posted by Mrtn15

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

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...

[rhdowns]

Great point Allengator.

[Mrtn15]

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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[motornut]

Originally Posted by Mrtn15

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.

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.

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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[Mrtn15]

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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[terryj]

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.

[Mrtn15]

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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[motornut]

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.....

[Mrtn15]

Could you post a pic of what your talking about
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[motornut]

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)

[rhdowns]

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.

[TDS-MN]

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.

[Mrtn15]

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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