Manual fuel pump (8ba)

I need some help with my manual fuel pump on my 8ba flathead. I rebuilt the damn thing and it still dosn't have any suction.When I put my finger over the inlet hole, I don't feel anything. I am temporarily using an electric pump to run the motor while I test the manual pump. I also put a peice of leather on top of the push rod to see if the cam might be worn, but still nothing. Does the outlet side have to be hooked up to create suction?

Please help, I know you guys can answer this one.

 

There should be small but noticeable suction if you block the inlet with a moist finger and push the rocker arm by hand--check:
Leakage at the glass bowl
pushrod up&down--about .2 is needed
gasket beneath stand should be thin stuff (note that .2"!)
valve put in in correct direction for flow
be sure you're pushing hard enough to move diaphragm--there's soft resistance, then a harder push when you get to the real action

 

Just run the electric through your old pump. That way you have the look and reliability.

 

Until it croaks in the middle of nowhere! Anybody want a dead 6V ACDelco electric?? Thank God for AAA-Plus.

 

Yeah--mechanical fuel pump reliability has gone WAY up since the fifties from better diaphragm and gasket material, some seem to last way beyond 200,000. I just hope they are putting the good materials into FH rebuild kits and the new pumps that are available...

 

Double check that the one way valves are in the right way around. You should be able to work the pump by hand and feel some suction. Also make sure the pushrod is seated in the pocket on the rocker.

Flatman

 

i rebuilt one last spring that had good suction..so at least it seemed.
Put in the truck for future breakdowns and the damn thing was a piece of shit.
Thank god for AAA that day.
I gave up and bought a new one..hell there cheap.