Saturday, November 20, 2010

How to change fuel pump and filter?

Have a 1973 el camino, the car stalls and doesnt sound like its gettting gasHow to change fuel pump and filter?
The filter is in the main line to the carb. I would start there. The pump is on the engine, its mechanical and is operated off the engine vs the newer style electric in the tank versions.How to change fuel pump and filter?
Start with your filter first, I've seen them mostly on the underbody, close to where the driver seat is but yours may be elsewhere. You can always pull off a fuel line from the output of the pump to see if it spits gas when it's being cranked. Have something to catch it, of course! Good luck!How to change fuel pump and filter?
You have a mechanical fuel pump that is mounted

on the engine. The fuel filter may be located in the

line between the pump, and the carburetor. It is

usually an in line filter, but depending upon the type

of carburetor you have, it could be in the carburetor

where your fuel line connects.



Since the removal of the pump is a bit involved for

most to tackle for the first time, I would suggest

that you do the following:



Purchase one of the low cost, electric, in-line

pumps. They come with a ring type mount so it

is easy to mount on the firewall, or fender splash

guard. The fuel pump pressure for these is in the

range of your mechanical pump, and works just

fine.



Hook the wire for power to a circuit that only

works when the ignition is turned on.



Disconnect the fuel line to the inlet of the mechanical

pump, and install it in the inlet of the electric pump.

Next disconnect the fuel line going to the carburetor

from the mechanical pump, and connect it to the

outlet on the electric pump.



Many times you will need some extra fittings, and

some rubber fuel line hose to make these connections.

To be on the safe side, plug the holes on the

mechanical pump just in case you find it is good, and

you want to go back to it. Leave it on the engine as it

is sealing the opening into the block.



The small electric pump looks about like some filters,

and costs less than one of the mechanical pumps. I

purchased one last year for just over $20.



When you turn the key to On, you should hear the

electric pump starting, and working to pull fuel into

it. It is a bit more noisy when it is dry, but quiets

when gas is pulled into it. When it quiets down you

will have the gas up to the carburetor so it is then

ready to start.



I have been running one of these small pumps in

a truck for the past thirteen years now.
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