"61 Vette Fuel Pump Rebuild

[Charles C.]

Hi all,

I have just completed rebuilding the fuel pump on my '61 Vette and have tried to start the engine. The engine fired and ran for 30 seconds - probably on the fuel in the fuel meter (this is a fuelie engine) but then stalled (as though it ran out of gas). My question: how long should I continue to crank the engine (I have cranked it for a minute) before concluding that I did something wrong - or the rebuilt pump if faulty. Any other tricks I should try?. Thanks.

[Mike M.]

Re: "61 Vette Fuel Pump Rebuild

Hi all,

I have just completed rebuilding the fuel pump on my '61 Vette and have tried to start the engine. The engine fired and ran for 30 seconds - probably on the fuel in the fuel meter (this is a fuelie engine) but then stalled (as though it ran out of gas). My question: how long should I continue to crank the engine (I have cranked it for a minute) before concluding that I did something wrong - or the rebuilt pump if faulty. Any other tricks I should try?. Thanks.

crack the fuel line as it enters the fuel unit, wrap the fittings with rag, have wife nearby with fire extinguisher, pull wire from ballast resistor to coil, then crank for a couple seconds to see if your fuel pump rebuild was successful. did you hook the diaphram's sahft to the pivot point(a PINTA job?)

[Harry S.]

Re: "61 Vette Fuel Pump Rebuild

Charles, I'll ask all the obvious questions.

1. Did you move the fuel pump lever prior to installing to see if there was suction and pressure at the proper inlet/outlet?
2. Did you install the input/output diaphragms in the proper holes and in the correct direction?
3. Are you sure you caught the cam in the engine that engages the fuel pump lever?
4. Is the fuel filter dirty/clogged?

[Roy B.]

Re: "61 Vette Fuel Pump Rebuild

Did you remove the bolt that held the pump rod up (if you did)

[Gene M.]

Re: "61 Vette Fuel Pump Rebuild

If he didn't back out the bolt that holds up the rod for the fuel pump the cam lobe would do it for him and also possible bind it in downward position.........

So maybe the pump is not actuating.

[John D.]

Re: "61 Vette Fuel Pump Rebuild

Charles,Make sure your drive cable from the distr to the FI isn't the culprit. Your unit may start and run for 15 seconds or so with a broken or even a missing drive cable.
Say the rebuild fuel pump turns out to be OK. Next step might be to disconnect one of the nozzle lines from a nozzle-whichever one is the easiest to get to. Get a helper and hold a small container under the nozzle line and have someone attempt to start the engine. You should get a "healthy" spray out of the nozzle line.
Failure to do so means you have an issue with the FI.
I hope you didn't use that nasty teflon tape on any of the fittings on your fuel pump job. If it gets into the FI unit big problems. Good luck, John DeGregory