Starting Truck

[colyank]

Just had a question about starting my 72 Chevy pickup. I believe the truck is not getting any gas, because I have an in line filter and no gas comes squirting out when I disconnect the fuel line from the carb while I’m cranking on it. The fuel pump I doubt has been replaced and it is not pumping gas to the carb. Also I tried to prime the fuel line with gas going through the pump all the way back to the tank, and also the carb but nothing happened. I tried dumping gas right into the carb and all I got was a flame. Could the pump be dry or needed to be replaced? And is something like ether that I should be using to start it?

Thanks

[truckster]

You probably need to replace your fuel pump. It's not a difficult job.

I don't recommend ether for the most part. A spray of carburetor cleaner is a better alternative.

Once you get your fuel pump working, you shouldn't need anything other than the choke to get the engine started. If you find you need to pump the gas or use carburetor cleaner to get it to start, the choke may not be working.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by colyank

Just had a question about starting my 72 Chevy pickup. I believe the truck is not getting any gas, because I have an in line filter and no gas comes squirting out when I disconnect the fuel line from the carb while I’m cranking on it. The fuel pump I doubt has been replaced and it is not pumping gas to the carb. Also I tried to prime the fuel line with gas going through the pump all the way back to the tank, and also the carb but nothing happened. I tried dumping gas right into the carb and all I got was a flame. Could the pump be dry or needed to be replaced? And is something like ether that I should be using to start it?

Thanks

If you poured a little gas in the carb and everything is adjusted correctly it should fire up. Is this an old engine that ran before? Have you changed or modified anything? A little background history on the engine might make things easier. There should not be any flame coming out of the carb.

LockDoc

[In The Ten Ring]

If your fuel pump is mechanical (run by the engine not electricity) then it is super easy to change. Also if it's mechanical no reason to prime it.

After you replace the fuel pump, go on and get a new fuel filter.

Now, how old is everything? Do you have rust in your gas tank, lines, and maybe carburetor? I had to place every inch of my fuel system, including a carb rebuild.

My truck started right up last Sunday after cleaning and re-gapping the points and squirting gas into the carb.

I like to have a 5 pounds CO2 fire extinguisher on stand by for such things....just in case.