Should fuel be flowing?

[nac593]

I pulled the fuel line from the bottom of the stock tank and no fuel comes out. I poured about 3 gallons in to make sure it had gas, but still no fuel coming out. Is it plugged , or this right? Thanks for all responses and input.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

No, fuel won't flow out. The line goes through the floor, then up to the top of the tank, then back down into the tank. Gas wont come out by gravity alone.

HTH

Added:
Some will run out, but it will just be what is in the line.

[cdowns]

actually once the fuel line is in regular service with gas in the tank ,it will flow out due to siphoning action//so if you suck on the open line to set up a flow it will continue to flow till its flow is interupted by an air break

[nac593]

So, if i'm starting a new engine for the first time how should I get the fuel to the carb. I dont want to be cranking the engine waiting for gas to get there. Or is it not a big deal?

[68gmsee]

In my case, I have a small container with a pouring spout that I use to add fuel into the carb throat.

But, first I make sure that everything works. By that I mean, the fuel pump works and I'm getting fuel to it, I'm getting a spark, timing, etc. is preset correctly.

Then I place a small amount of fuel in the carb throat and crank the engine. If it dies out, I just keep adding a small amount of fuel until pump has pumped enough fuel into carb to keep the engine going.

Be careful not to flood the engine with too much gas. If you're not familiar with this procedure, add just a small amount.

Whatever you do, don't add fuel as someone is trying to start the engine. Friend did that once while I was cranking it and it backfired through the carb. Luckily, he had just poured the last amount of fuel.

[nac593]

How do I make sure the fuel pump works and fuel to it? Just start cranking it? It's a new engine so I'm worried about cranking it over with no fuel.

[cdowns]

dont overthink it just do like 68gmsee said and it will be fine

[jorgensensc]

To be very honest, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If it is a mechanical fuel pump it will work 99.9% of the time. If it is electric you need to listen to the pump start up. I would be more concerned about the oil pressure and lube. It isn't going to hurt too much to crank an engine for a minute w/out fuel as long as there is ample oil lubrication. I would be concerned about dumping too much fuel down the cylinder walls and washing past the rings and running into the oil and compromising that. But I'm not and engine expert. Just my opinion.
Shawn

[Highsteel]

Prime the oil system before you start and everything should be OK.
When my father and I rebuilt the 350 out of my 70 El Camino just outta HS he had a 'bit' he put in an electric drill that he used to spin the oil pump with. I think it was a shaft from from an old dizzy.

[68gmsee]

If you really need to know if the fuel pump is working, disconnect it from the carb and place the end in a plastic bottle/container (I would also remove the coil to distributer wire just in case) and have someone crank the engine. I've used a large water jug in the past.

Should get a good pulsing squirt of gas come out not just barely trickling out.

Use caution and make sure you don't have any leaks in the container.