Fuel pump question.

Actually, I don't think it has to. Allthough it seems the gravity from the tank being higher would keep it full... :-/ But upon startup, there should be enough fuel in the carb bowl to run the engine to bring fuel through that short piece of line.....but I feel like I'm missing something here.......

~Anthony

No you're not; right on target. Normal for the hose (or in-line filter) to appear dry. The fuel in the bowl will run the engine for half a minute, plaenty of time to get pumping again.

Speedy Jim

Thanks guys. Looks like a carb rebuild is going to be needed. I just had the feeling that the car was starving for gas. I could keep it running at a high steady idle for about 10-15 seconds and then it would stumble until I "feathered" the throttle. Another 10-15 seconds and I would have to repeat the process. I was trying to avoid rebuilding the carb because I do not have a very good track record with carbs and the only place around wants about half the price of a new carb to rebuilt one. I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a rebuild kit and keep telling myself - It's fun... It's fun...

You may be disappointed; the "kit" doesn't contain any magic fairy dust, just gaskets and the like.

That carb is notorious for developing idle problems due to dirt in the idle fuel passages (which are as tiny as a gnats eyebrow). Gaskets won't do a thing for that. Takes soaking in powerful carb cleaners and blowing out with compressed air. Even then it's a crap shoot. BTDT

Other possibility is vacuum leaks, especially at the throttle shaft. But, frankly, this one doesn't sound like that.

I'm not trying to put you off. I've spent days working on just one carb only to have little improvement. Other days I'd get lucky...

Speedy Jim