Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Not economics. Bruised knuckles.

I just want to get back running the easiest way I can. If the exact same pump I have was available, that would be my choice. I am not familiar with rebuilding. I wouldn't mind sending what I have to be rebuilt. I just don't know who to send it to for that. (Ficken did well on my wiper motor).

Terrill, Gould and Now & Then are all quality fuel pump rebuilders. Usual turn-around is less than a week.

Thanks.

I just took the pump back off, and did some checking. I am suspecting there is some issue besides the pump.

This time, I connected the gas inlet to the pump and manually cranked it. It pumps gas.

So either the eccentric is not working the lever, or I have some kind of blockage.

Tips of things to check would be appreciated.

Here is the way it went down. I drove on a hot day, and the car got pretty hot. It was all freeway driving until I exited the freeway. On exiting, I made it through the first stop light. At the second stop light, it went out. I noticed coolant overflowed.

Had the car towed. Checked a few hours later and noticed the pin came out of the fuel pump. I removed the pump and put the pin back in. I made some errors trying to put it back properly - namely, failing to put the rocker arm in the slot inside the pump that raises the diaphragm. I corrected that, and re-installed.

No luck. But if I dump a little gas directly in the carburator, the car will start for about a second or 2.

There is no damage whatsoever to the rocker arm of the pump.

I would think my options are limited to:

1. The eccentric.
2. A clog between the fuel pump outlet and the carb bowl.
3. The bowl.

Incidentally, the bowl has a little gas at the bottom. It's not full, but it does have some gas. Maybe a couple of table spoons worth.

#2 will be easy to check. I can take the other end off at the bowl and blow into it.

Not sure of what else I should be looking for.

P.S. When I manually cranked the arm, gas came out as I said. It was not like a hose, but it was enough to clearly show that gas is flowing through the pump. Sometimes, it would spurt a little like a tiny fountain. It did a bit more than just dribble out. But again, it was not a super-heavy flow. By the looks of it, I would think that the flow was sufficient when you have that going on constantly and with a fast cycle.

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As to the above, I am wondering what it's normal level is. I have tried a lot to start the car, and so I wonder if the bowl should be dry. Or is it that the 2 tbsp is a low level that prevents circulation to the carb?

It's very unlikely to be a problem but just for the heck of it check the eccentric. Use a mirror if you can get it angled decently or at least a 6" long blade screwdriver and stick it straight into the opening near the top. Make sure you see or feel the eccentric. IIRC, it's keyed but also held by a single screw. If the arm happened to catch it strangely when coming loose, who knows if something might have happened. You can see the arrangements in the photos on the first page of this thread.

The bowl should be filled. Usual problems when the bowl is empty is no pumping action either because of pump or air being sucked into the pump. Another is the filter is clogged and not allowing enough fuel to flow so air is trapped.

A good suggestion to check the eccentric, but a simple volume test of the pump would also tell you of problems in that area.

Eccentric: (Does it look good to you? Seems fine to me.)

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Looks like it's there and in the proper position. Just for kicks use the screwdriver and tap it just to make sure it's secure. After it's ruled out, you're back to the pump and plumbing.

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Yeah, I'm not ruling out the pump. By looks of things, eccentric is fine. I will check the hose from outlet to bowl. If that's okay. I need to check bowl. Not sure of what I'd check for in the bowl exactly, but I'll cross that bridge later.

If bowl okay, then must be pump.

I rule out anything from the bowl to the carb because of Howard's advice that the bowl should be full.

Packard does give a pressure and suction specification, but for output doesn't give a specification, only saying each revolution of the camshaft should give a "strong spurt" of fuel. Simple enough to check, just beware of the fire hazard.

Do you need a photo of the eccentric? I've got several laying on the bench.