Fuel Issue!

[forrestheintz]

I have a 83 C10 with a 305 that I have had a few months. Between carburetor issues and getting a new paint job I have been giving it plenty of my time. Last week the truck began to die on me while I was driving. I could drive it miles down the highway then once I pulled off the highway and slowed down the truck would begin to die as if it was being starved of fuel. I could get it restarted after a few cranks of the engine and I would be on my way again. This lasted for a while then it would not start at all.

I figured the issue was the fuel pump. Bought a new mechanical fuel pump and installed it, that did not fix it. I dont think the mechanical pump is pumping any gas. I have hooked it directly to a gas can and it cant even suck the gas out of there.

I am beginning to think the cam lobe that pushes the push rod has worn out. Is this very common? Do you think this could be the problem? How easy is it to fix? Should I consider converting to an electric pump?

Thanks for the help. This cam rod idea is just a shot in the dark. Any other ideas are welcome.

[VileZambonie]

If you didn't prime the pump it may take a bit to get it to flow. Ensure no fuel lines are kinked, get a little gas down into the line and it should prime the pump. Did you check for spark? Does it run if you give it a shot of starting fluid?

[forrestheintz]

Runs great when I hook up a funnel and hose up to the carb or when I spray starter fluid in the carb. I have tried a few ways to prime the pump. What is your technique for pump priming?

[Irish_Alley]

if you can can it for a a couple seconds that should be enough to re prime it. i would be leaning towards the lobe being worn

[VileZambonie]

ensure you have a free flow back to the tank, no kinks???

Take the fuel pump back off and check the movement of the pushrod if you think it's the cam.

[VileZambonie]

Please keep your posts in one thread for this topic.

[forrestheintz]

I have checked the rod to the fuel pump rod and it is not moving up and down. So if the pump is installed correctly and is it good working order it will not pump because the rod is not pushing it.

Does anyone know what the rod that pumps the fuel pump is connected to? A cam? Gears?

Trying to fix the problem properly rather than install an electric pump. I am considered this will lead to another issue that has yet to show itself.

[VileZambonie]

It's not very common to wipe the lobe off of the cam for the fuel pump. If that's truly the case then a good amount of metal has made it's way through your engine. How are you measuring the movement of the pushrod?

[forrestheintz]

I put my finger in the whole where the fuel pump attaches. Pushed the rod up to the top and left for it to be pushed down. It was not pushing down at all .

[frotosride]

Recommend using a dial indicator with a magnetic base or pretty much anything that will fix it to the lower side of the engine. Then get a long pry bar, leave the key out of the ignition and hand crank the engine over while watching the dial. It will be easier to rotate it you pop a few or all the spark plugs out and just push them back into the wires for safe keeping. It is very unusual to wipe the pump lobe on a camshaft because they do not see very much stress so to speak especially when compared to say an intake/exhaust lobe.

One quick dummy check/question. When Is the last time you changed your filters. You may be starving the pump because it simply can't suck fuel.