Gas Tank Hook Up

[stanwood]

I need y'alls help! I am installing a new gas tank and everything seems to be hooked up correctly but the truck won't start. I can hear the pump pumping away but it's obviously not getting any fuel to the carb. Any ideas?

[ColeTrickle]

Is it a factory fuel pump? Or auxillary.
Did you change all the fuel filters?

[stanwood]

No, the pump is not OEM and I did not change the filters. Guess I will while I'm at it.

[ColeTrickle]

When you take the filter off near the carb...see if your getting fuel to that point at least. If you are then its probably...carb problems.

Oh yeah...where 'bout do you have the auxillary pump? You may know this...but aftermarket electric pumps are made to push fuel than pull.

[ January 03, 2003, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: ColeTrickle ]

[stanwood]

The other fuel pump is attached to the frame under the drivers door. It shouldn't be the carb, it was running great before I ripped (literally) the tank off. One thing - the wire that runs from the sending unit was ripped clean off. I figured that was the gas gage wire and didn't replace it. Please tell me I am correct?!

[ColeTrickle]

Yeah there is one wire for the fuel gauge.
Hmmm....dunno what to tell ya'. Did you pinch any aluminum lines when it was yanked off?

[stanwood]

Don't think it was pinched unless one was when I fastened the strap back on. I only put about a gallon of gas in it, think it would matter? Should I put five?

[Jeep Craze]

yeah a gallon might not be enough for the pickup to suck. I would put 5 gallons in it(it will still be light enough to pull again if needed)Also I know this is gonna sound stupid but be sure you have the arrow on the aux. pump pointed towards the carb. (hey I have missed more obvious things before) and also check to make sure your hose between the aux pump and the tank isn't collapsing. Oh yeah not sure if 76's had return lines but if so make sure your hooked up to the propper pickup tube on the tank. Hope this helps Craig

[mountaincrusher]

76's do have a return line, make sure their in the right spot.

[stanwood]

I am going to pull it again this morning, check that I didn't pinch any lines, and make sure the return line is hooked up. Is the return line the one that comes out of the top of the take opposite of the sending unit?

[Jeep Craze]

Im not sure which one is the suction. What I woudl do is disconnect both lines at the tank. Put 5 gallons in the tank. Then blow through each of the tubes back into the tank(the one that sounds like ur blowing bubbles under water would be the suction). That would be the easiest way I woudl know w/out having to pull the tank down. Oh wait your 76 is top mounted fuel sender isn't it? Mine is an 80 (the only year for the front mount sender). well, just disconnect each hose underneath the truck(cut if you have to, it can be spliced together again) and do the blowing trick.....that should help you figure out which one is the right one for suction.

craig

[crazyguy]

I have an 83, its also a front mounted sending unit

[will e]

Did you put a fuel pressure regulator on? You mechanical pump only produces 7 or so pounds.

An electric pump will produce a lot more.

If you want to check to see if you are getting gas to the carb, try this:

With the car not running, take off the air cleaner. Pump the gas and you should see some fuel being shot into the carb from accel pump. If you do, good, you had gas to the carb. Keep pumping until it empies out (no more fuel).

Turn the ignition to the ON position without starting the truck. You should hear the fuel pump running. Wait a moment or two and then try the accel pump test again. If you see gas then you are getting gas to the carb.

Keep watching. If gas starts pouring out of the carb, you need a fuel regulator.

My guess is you won't see gas. I think you will need more than 1 gallon of gas to get going. My truck ran out of gas, we had to add 4 gallons before she should go.

[stanwood]

Well, it still won't go. I pulled the tank again, made sure all lines were not pinched, made sure the right lines were hooked up in the right places. Replaced the fuel filter, bought a new mechanical fuel pump (the auxillary one is pumpin'). No fuel is getting to the carb though. Shot gas in the carb, it started until that gas was used. I took the hoses off the filter, no gas. It's stopping somewhere between the tank and the filter. I'm going to plug the compressor up to it at the pump and make some bubbles. I did put 5 gallons of gas in too. Maybe I need 10 to build some pressure? You reckon it's the pump? I can't think of anything else I'm missing, how about y'all?

[stanwood]

I probabley ought to let my boy in the picture take a look at it!

[Stolen76]

Sounds like you could have a pinhole in the pick letting it suck air. Run your fuel line into a gas can and run the engine from there. If it runs, your problem is in the tank, or pickup. Also, you can try to run it with the cap off. Sounds dumb, but if you can't suck air into the tank, you can't suck fuel out of it.

[stanwood]

"you could have a pinhole in the pick"

What's a pick? The pickup tube on the sending unit?

[stanwood]

Oh, I am being rude, sorry... Thanks to everyone for the help. It is greatly appreciated!

[Stolen76]

oops ! interupted while typing, guess my brain kept going... I meant pickup tube

[Jeep Craze]

Hey crazyguy,
I stand corrected I thought that 80 was the oddball year. THat is what I found everytime I was looking for a replacement tank anyway. Alright 80 was the first year then for the front mounted sending unit. Craig

[ColeTrickle]

Just guessing here. You think there may have been a chance you picked something up (dirt, grass, etc.), since the fuel line was open and the fuel pump kept pumping?

[stanwood]

It was the sending unit pickup tube. I replaced both the mechanical pump, the auxillary electric pump (hooked it up backwards first time), lots of hose. Hooked it too a 5 gallon gas can and it ran. Then I put the tank back in (yes, I should have checked it but I didn't) then no go. Took the tank back off, ran it out of a gas can again and it ran. Now I have to send off for the sending unit, pull the tank again and install. BJ's has them, anyone else have a source? Is this something that I could get a NAPA or AZone?

Never claimed to be a mechanic. Now I have proof. The silver lining is that everything will be brand new from the tank forward to the carb.

Thanks for all y'alls help!!!

[will e]

Good job figuring it out. Hooking it up to a gas can was a good idea.

[ColeTrickle]

BJ's or MTS...BJ's will probably be cheaper because of the 20% off.

BTW...I thought I recognized that truck!
That's old 2MAN's ain't it? Lived up in Amarillo.
Did he not offer to sell his other parts rig? Or did he sell them before you bought this one? He used to have a web site or pictures of that truck somewhere on the web. NICE!
I also saw him in Ouray in that truck.
You gave him a song...didn't you? ;)

[stanwood]

Yes, it is/was his truck. I don't think I paid too much but it wasn't cheap either. Everything is worth what you pay for it, you know?

I own the parts truck too. It was included. I do have the title (somewhere around here) but the truck is in Lubbock sitting on blocks. No way to get it here right now.

[ColeTrickle]

Nah...I think you got a pretty good deal. Especially, hearing/seeing the work that he had done to it.