Friday, June 18, 2021
Today I was able to get the fuel pump off the Plymouth once I got the fittings loose. I had to run to town for flare nut wrenches … wherever mine where they weren’t available, and I wasn’t going to wait forever to find them.
When I removed the line from the fuel tank, there was nothing coming out of the line. Of course, the pump wasn’t sucking on it, either.
I’m not at all certain that the problem is the fuel pump, but I was able to get a local parts house to order one that will be here tomorrow. I’m skeptical it will be the correct part, so it was important for me to take the original off so I can take it with me. But the fuel pump change will eliminate that as a source of the problem.
More and more, I’m suspecting the fuel tank is full of 65 years of rust, leaves and assorted crap, and the filter may be clogged in the tank. After I install the new pump, we’ll see if the problem goes away. If it doesn’t, then I’ll have to suspect either the tank or the fuel line. Before I hook up the new fuel pump, I may try to blow compressed air down the line from the engine compartment and see if you can hear it bubble in the tank. Worth a shot.
If the fuel pump doesn’t work, then I’m going to order a new tank and sending unit. Of course, I’m assuming the fuel line is still ok. If I go as far as to replace the tank with a new one, I’ll certainly have to check the fuel line in the process.
I know I set up an appointment with Joe at A1A on Tuesday, but the fuel issue may have been more about lack of fuel from the tank than vapor lock. I’m still going to take it to him, it may just take a couple of weeks of work on my part to get it there.