How to prime a Fuel System

johnrmclean

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Messages
81
I just replaced the mechanical fuel pump on my 454 IO and I've been cranking for a while but not getting any fuel to the carb. Is there a trick to get the system primed and pumping fuel??

Thanks
 

Baylinerchuck

Commander
Joined
Jul 29, 2016
Messages
2,728
Not sure if this is a trick or not, but I did a restoration on my 1990 Chaparral. As part of the resto I cleaned the tank and added a fuel filter/separator. I was worried about cranking my starter an excessive amount of time to get fuel to the carb. I put a squeeze bulb primer, like you would find on an outboard after the filter canister with a rubber hose. I pumped and pumped and pumped until gas squirted out the hose. (I caught the gas in a bottle so it didn't get into my bilge). I removed the squeeze bulb and attached the hose to my fuel pump. It only took a couple seconds of cranking to start the engine. I was happy to have it start that quick and save my starter a little.
 

Baylinerchuck

Commander
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Jul 29, 2016
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The squeeze bulb would also tell you if you are getting fuel to the pump. If your not sucking fuel, the anti-siphon valve could be stuck, or fuel pickup tube in the tank is disconnected.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,344
to avoid excessive cranking fill the carb from the vent and prefill the fuel sep.
 

johnrmclean

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Messages
81
its Always something ..well I pre filled the water separator and got the fuel pump installed and its pumping fuel to the carb, a webber, but I'm not getting any fuel out of the carb into the engine. Can't even smell a sniff of gas. Suggestions?
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,083
and its pumping fuel to the carb, a webber, but I'm not getting any fuel out of the carb into the engine. Can't even smell a sniff of gas. Suggestions?

Ayuh,..... Pull it, 'n rebuild it,..... It's a carbon copy of the Edlebrock Performer carb,...

You can use Edlebrock parts,... cheaper than Merc,...
 
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