73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks > Fuel Systems and Drivability

No fuel after long sleep

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Chevygold:
Hi all as I'm getting near to my winter resto being completed I put the battery on to check through the electrics then tried for a start, nothing, cranked fine but no sign of trying to start.
Took out a plug, nice and dry so took out a primary float bowl screw and just a dribble of fuel, filled the float bowl through the vent and she started up fine and kept running so pump is now working, have started several times now over the last few days and no problems.
I suppose truck had stood for about 4-5 months while I've been busy on the bodywork.
Does this sound like imminent pump failure or just normal after standing so long?
If I should be looking for a new pump are all 350 pumps the same? Reason I ask is I don't know what year the engine is, it's a 383 stroker with centre bolt valve covers, no visible engine number so guess it's a crate motor, also its all painted black if that means anything!
Thanks
Graham

Shifty:
My guess is that the pump "sulphured-up".....add a small bottle of the Chevron Techron Fuel System Cleaner, and maybe a shot of Heet dri-gas. 

Keep in mind that today's fuel is chock full of alcohol products, and is heck on anything rubber in the fuel system.  Might be a good time to change your fuel filter as well.

bd:
The check valve in the fuel pump may have dislodged from its seat due to the reasons Shifty stated.  As long as there are no continuing symptoms you probably can run it without worry.

Chevygold:
Thanks guys fuel had a good dose of ethanol treatment before I started the resto so hopefully the pump will be OK, fuel filters all new and clear after previous problems with what looked like cement in the tanks, I used to keep a new fuel filter in the glove box ready to fit as they blocked up so regularly!
All been good since dropping the tanks and giving them a good seeing to, just got to get the carb set up to run better, just waiting for a lift with the hood and I'm ready to go.

Graham

78 Chevyrado:
All the fuel evaporated out of the fuel bowl while sitting.   If you have put one of those $30 parts store fuel pumps on it you will have to replace it every year to year and a half.

My truck had to have a new cheap replacement fuel pump on it every year and that was when I was still daily driving it.  It was 7 or 8 months when it sat all the time.  the cheap rubber parts in the pump fail quickly.  The new stock replacement fual pumps are a total joke.   I would never buy one again.  buy one decent pump and don't have to mess with it again.

If you let the truck sit for a week or so most of the gas will have evaporated.   well the volatiles will have but the gummy gooey parts of the gas do not and will eventually gum up the carb.  then you have to take it apart and clean it.

I got tired of replacing fuel pumps all the time so I spent the $$ for an Edelbrock #1721 fuel pump.  $168 now.   I know its total overkill for my stock engine but in the 8 years since I installed it It just works every time.  quality parts.  Over the 8 years I would have bought 7-8 $30 pumps at a cost of $240.  and had to do an install 8 times... 

All carbed vehicles have vents and so after a couple a weeks of sitting the fuel bowls will be empty.

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