FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Wen you change from vacumn type fuel pump  on a grey to the glass bowl ek/ej type do you just block off the vacumn inlet at the carburettor or do you need to change to a later model carburettor. I cant source a vacumn fuel pump but i can buy the other type new so i will change to electric wipers eventually . For now i just got to have the car driveable, Iv put three different second hand fuel pumps on it today with no results , Very frustrating.  I can hear that the fuel lines are not blocked  by blowing air thru them , Needle and seat have been cleaned. The car starts by pouring fuel directly into the carby so do you guys think its the fuel pump. Any help appreciated. Slim

It seems a bit weird that all three fuel pumps won't work. Do you get a suction pull on it and will they squirt fuel out either with the line after the fuel pump disconnected?? the same thing happened to me on the weekend. Blow out the venturi on the carby?

G'day Slim,
There should be no pipe from the carby to the fuel/vacuum pump, so there is no need to change carby's.
However, there is a pipe from the inlet manifold "hot-box" to the vacuum pump.
If you install a vacuumless fuel pump, this pipe can be removed and a plug or bolt screwed in the hole in the manifold.

To test the fuel pump:
1/  take off the main coil lead to prevent the motor starting, and to avoid any chance of sparks,
2/  disconnect the pipes from the fuel pump, but make sure the bowl is firmly in place,
3/  put a finger over the outlet of the fuel pump and have someone turn the motor over with the starter,
4/  feel if there is any pressure (a strong pulse per revolution).

If there is a pulse, then there is probably nothing wrong with the pump.
If no pulse, it may be the diaphragm has a hole (rip) in it, or there is some gunk holding one or both valves open.
Sometimes the diaphragm shaft comes adrift from the actuating arm, but that's less likely.

I hope this helps a bit.

Gaz

Thanks gaz and not happy jan. Im picking up a Brand new pump tomorrow morning. The other 3 pumps iv tried , the first one was the original that was in the car . it was a bit sus . On the way home from nowra it pissed down rain and the wipers would go up but not enough vacumn to get a good wipe . Not that they ever do. It seemed to run ok tho.  The 2nd pump i put in it was in my garage as a spare for eternity so condition unknown . And the 3rd glass bowl type was outta that yellow fc im currently wrecking, so god knows how long since its been used ... Non of them seemed to work . Certainly the Bowls were not filling up after sustained engine firing . Yet upon pouring fuel into the carby the car started till carb emptied out. I blew into the line at the petrol pump and could hear it bubbling in the tank so no blockages between the tank and the fuel pump. I pulled the fuel filter out and blew thru that line also. . I pulled the needle and seat out also.. I will pop in the Brand new pump tomorrow and see how it goes . Hopefully fingers crossed that its just the pump.. The other 3 pumps seemed to have a lot of wear on the arm that goes up onto the camshaft. Yet i thought that they had enough suction before placing them into the fc . I will eliminate the fuel pump tomorrow. Thanks for advice. 

Slim check the braided rubber line that attaches to the fuel pump - I will almost 100% guarantee that it is stuffed. Take it off and pressure test it - These VERY commonly harden up and a little movement snaps the rubber inside and they leak air. Hence no go :P.   Usually the simple "hold your thumb over one end and blow in the other" reveals air escaping.

Ken

I agree with Ken, it appears from your description that you have an air leak and the fuel pump will suck air rather than fuel as it is less dense than petrol.   If the rubber hose connection doesn't solve your problem carefully inspect the steel fuel line to ensure there are no pinprick ho;es.

Cheers Wayne

Got new fuel lines as the rubber ones were a bit perished.Tried all 3 pumps again.. still no go. Got a new pump from nepean spares at st marys $95. Bobs your uncle . And away we go again . Thanks for advice given . Always better with a few thinkers helping . cheers slim

great news... ;D
another old holden on the road again....