Guest kevinscar Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 We are looking at my Father's classic 57 Thunderbird. He wanted to start it up for us, but it just won't start. The battery and starter turn over fine. We put some fuel in the carb and it does start, but dies as soon as the fuel is burned up. Makes us think it's a fuel delivery problem, however none of us have ever troubleshot something like this before. I have to assume it's a mechanical pump, or is it a vacuum? Some ideas/references would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kevinscar Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 also if you know any way to test it that would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957Birdman Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 When was the last time the car was successfully started and driven? Is it stock or modified? If it is stock then the fuel pump is on left front of the engine block. Two aluminum lines should be connected to it with rubber hoses. There is a third line, which is the gas line that comes up to the fuel filter, which has a glass bowl on the bottom. You should see gas in the bowl. If you don't see any then the problem is likely with the fuel pump or a clog in the gas line. It should be fairly easy to troubleshoot. Just work backwards from the carburetor. It should look like this picture.Good luck with it and let me know if you need additional information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kevinscar Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 its stock and the last time it was started was approx a year ago, the fuel pump has been replaced recently but ill try to trace the system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kevinscar Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 BTW, thank you! That helps alot! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kevinscar Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 so theres 2 lines on the top of the fuel pump and two on the bottom we pulled off the line that leads to the bowl and cranked it over and no fuel flowed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kevinscar Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I'm thinking of just pulling all the lines off this pump, one at a time and see if I can figure out which one is delivering fuel from the tank. That should flow (I imagine) unless it's an uphill run to the pump. What are these other lines on the fuel pump for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kevinscar Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 One other question on this. I took a look on line at the fuel pump. It seems pretty straight forward. Since it hasn't been driven in a year, is there a way to prime this pump? I plan to next pull the fuel supply line off and just make sure there's fuel to the pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kevinscar Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Okay, we got it started. I kind of figured it was a priming problem. We filled the float bowls manually and started it up. In a few minutes, we could see fuel flowing through the sight glass inline to the carb. So, this solved the problem. I guess I shouldn't be surprised given it hardly ever gets driven. Have a lot more to learn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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