1954 fuel pump or other problem

[Ted K.]

A sunny day , out for a drive, car died like it ran out of gas, no gas in fuel filter bowl. There was gas in the car but added more and still no fuel being pumped to the carbs. Towed back to shop and removed fuel line after pump to see if pumping, with no evidence that it was. Bought new Airtech 9797 fuel pump and installed. Cranked the engine and it ran for about one minuet, long enough to see if vacuum for wiper was pumping. Pump seemed to have vacuum (bottom half of pump) but not pump fuel (top half). Hard for me to believe I am having the same problem with two pumps.
Has anyone encountered a similar problem or an idea of were to turn to next?
By the way , why does the top portion of the fuel pump on the 1954 have an off set? It moves the glass fuel filter very close to the block. Is this is correct?
Thanks, Ted

[Richard M.]

Re: 1954 fuel pump or other problem

Ted,

I'm not familiar with the Fuel Pumps on those, but it may be possible the pump arm slipped off of the push rod. You may want to remove it carefully and check.

[Jim L.]

Re: 1954 fuel pump or other problem

By the way , why does the top portion of the fuel pump on the 1954 have an off set? It moves the glass fuel filter very close to the block. Is this is correct?
Thanks, Ted

Are you referring to the top of the Airtex pump being rotated CCW by one hole position? If so, that's because the Airtex pump is actually intended to service applications other than '54 Vettes. It will fit and work fine on passenger car applications and '53 Vette, if memory serves.

To get around this, you can redrill the top so it can be "clocked" properly for your '54. I got lazy. It was easier for me to just add a 45 degree fitting and make a new fuel line:



As far as why you aren't getting any fuel, I'd look upstream of the pump for a blockage in the long fuel line, maybe at the pick up in the tank. Maybe the interior of the flex hose between frame and pump has an issue.

Good luck,

Jim

[Ted K.]

Re: 1954 fuel pump or other problem

Thanks, I like that lazy idea with the 45 degree fitting and the picture. I have returned the fuel pump and waiting for the replacement.
Incidentally I noticed the oil breather tube is black, mine is blue. Is black correct, mine just got painted with the rest of the engine.
Ted

[Jim L.]

Re: 1954 fuel pump or other problem

Thanks, I like that lazy idea with the 45 degree fitting and the picture. I have returned the fuel pump and waiting for the replacement.
Incidentally I noticed the oil breather tube is black, mine is blue. Is black correct, mine just got painted with the rest of the engine.
Ted

I think you are going to find that the replacement looks just like the one you removed and like the one on my '54.


I'm not sure what is generally accepted for road draft tube color; I have seen a lot of blue ones. My car, #3300, is unrestored and has been in the family for 44 years. I'm positive that road draft tube has not been painted since it left the factory.

Jim

[Eric F.]

Re: 1954 fuel pump or other problem

Ted,

It's possible the ethanol fuel in use today has deteriorated the fuel fill inlet hose or the sending units gasket. I'd start by looking inside the fuel inlet behind the gas cap. If the hose looks good and if you have easy access under the car (a lift) I would start by draining the tank at the outlet. If you see any debris in the fuel you know the problem is starting in the tank. If not, then I'd work my way forward, checking the fuel line and hoses to the pump. If you find anything in the fuel I would replace the fuel inlet hose and the sending unit gasket.

However, if it were me I would start by hooking one of my spare electric fuel pumps to the inlet hose to the carb and run a hose from the electric pump outlet into a clean fuel container. Then I would power the pump and check the fuel for contaminates. If they're present then you know contaminates are in the fuel. (Yes, this may clog my electric pump but I have one setup for this procedure and it's easily cleaned)

Good luck,
Eric

[Ted K.]

Re: 1954 fuel pump or other problem

Thanks Eric, I will pursue it. Good info.
Ted