Fuel Pump Issues need diagnosis

[Bakeman]

Howdy folks,
I recently began restoring a '66 Monaco 500 w/ 440
It's rough looking, but a California body, so worth restoring. My first goal was to get it started.
With gas fed into the carb, it runs well - for about 10 seconds.
I put in a bypass fuel tank, but there was no suction.
I replaced the fuel pump and still no suction.
Can the cam be worn off?
Can the push rod be worn down?
Any ideas out there?

 

[CBODY67]

With a new fuel pump, next thing to look at is the rod that works it. The fuel pump pushrod.

They do wear, so a new one probably is in order. Be sure to get one with hardened ends, but for now, anything "new" will do.

Please keep us posted,
CBODY67

 

[Boydsdodge]

Great car. Yes the push rod can wear, might be one of the reasons the car was parked. I would get a new pump, remove push rod and check length. There have been some good discussion on here about the pushrods. I don't trust the after market rods as I have had those fail on fresh engines, I find NOS rods when I can. When a rod goes it can take the cam lobe with it like when lifters wipe a cam. When that happened on my wagon I killed two push rods, so I installed an electric Carter pump.

 

[CBODY67]

DO put some cam assy lube on the pushrod ends when installing it. Just for good measure.

 

[Bakeman]

Thanks for the quick input.
I have read through previous posts. My problem is that the push rod doesn't come out! It slides in and out about 1/2", but to won't just slide out.
I'm back in the shop this afternoon. I'll let you know if I have success.

 

[CBODY67]

Might be some varnish accumulation as the shaft is basically straight.

 

[Big_John]

Thanks for the quick input.
I have read through previous posts. My problem is that the push rod doesn't come out! It slides in and out about 1/2", but to won't just slide out.
I'm back in the shop this afternoon. I'll let you know if I have success.

Are you taking the plug out?

I'll bet you are, but I've found that sometimes it's best to be sure.

A long pair of needle nose through the opening might help.

 

[Bakeman]

Well, folks, the push rod moves about 1/2" but it won't come out.
Needle nose pliers don't reach far enough so I'm stuck with a non-running 440.
I've even tried turning the engine over just to "throw out" the push rod. No luck.
Do I have to take off the manifold?
Is there any other way to reach the push rod?

I'll wait for your ideas before I go out and buy an electric fuel pump .
Cheers

 

[Big_John]

Well, folks, the push rod moves about 1/2" but it won't come out.
Needle nose pliers don't reach far enough so I'm stuck with a non-running 440.
I've even tried turning the engine over just to "throw out" the push rod. No luck.
Do I have to take off the manifold?
Is there any other way to reach the push rod?

I'll wait for your ideas before I go out and buy an electric fuel pump .
Cheers

Taking the manifold off won't help at all. The timing cover would need to come out and then it still has to go out through the hole with the plug in it.

And so we're on the same page, this is the plug I'm referring to.

And usually, a pair of pliers like these will reach through the fuel pump hole.

 

[Bakeman]

Well, folks, the push rod moves about 1/2" but it won't come out.
Needle nose pliers don't reach far enough so I'm stuck with a non-running 440.
I've even tried turning the engine over just to "throw out" the push rod. No luck.
Do I have to take off the manifold?
Is there any other way to reach the push rod?

I'll wait for your ideas before I go out and buy an electric fuel pump .
Cheers

 

[Bakeman]

Thanks to Big John and others for helping me out.
The push rod is out and replaced.

Unfortunately, even with a new fuel pump and a new push rod, there is no gas coming to the carburetor.
Now don't go and ask me to check fuel lines and filters. That's been done.
I even primed the fuel pump to give it the idea of what it's supposed to do.
The car runs when gas is poured into the carb, so that's not it either.
Unless someone has a "eureka" moment, I think I'll have to go the electric fuel pump rout.
Thoughts?

 

[Just Carbs]

Put a long rod in there that sticks out and see if the cam is good when you crank the motor over.

 

[3175375]

Thanks to Big John and others for helping me out.
The push rod is out and replaced.

Unfortunately, even with a new fuel pump and a new push rod, there is no gas coming to the carburetor.
Now don't go and ask me to check fuel lines and filters. That's been done.
I even primed the fuel pump to give it the idea of what it's supposed to do.
The car runs when gas is poured into the carb, so that's not it either.
Unless someone has a "eureka" moment, I think I'll have to go the electric fuel pump rout.
Thoughts?

Have you removed the fuel line at the outlet of the fuel pump and verified that nothing is coming out there?

 

[carguy300]

A defective brand new fuel pump?!?

 

[Gerald Morris]

A defective brand new fuel pump?!?

SURE!!! Hell man, the NEW **** IS MORE APT TO FAIL OUT OF THE BOX than junk yard pulled parts. Whadjya git, a "Carter?" If so, odds are even you got a Chinese paperweight.

 

[CBODY67]

So the answer is???

Just curious,
CBODY67

 

[Bakeman]

It's a Spectra - Premium, no less!
I'm doing the push rod test next

 

[Gerald Morris]

It's a Spectra - Premium, no less!
I'm doing the push rod test next

Good! Yeah, see if you can score a push rod. Get some calipers and measure what you have now too. Spectra still might have some QC, I hope. Get a coffee can, undo your fuel line at the carb, w fuel line pointing in, make SURE the coil is disconnected, and CRANK that motor some seconds. THAT will sure as **** show your fuel delivery. It occurs to me that maybe the delivery malfunction is IN the carb. I know you can dump petrol into the carb and get the motor to fire, but there is some fluid circuitry between the jets and the fuel inlet that can be screwed up.....

 

[Boydsdodge]

On my wagon when the push rod was wiped, the cam lobe was as well and I went with an electric.

 

[Bakeman]

After going through the complete fuel system, and finding no movement on the push rod, I went with an electric fuel pump. That should get the 440 running.
Thanks for all your input!