Fuel issue

[2manybowties]

I have a 71 chevy pickup with a 350 engine. It was acting like it was not getting fuel so I replaced the fuel pump blowed out the lines and it still is not pumping enough fuel to fill up the inline filter. I loosened the metal line on the botton of the fuel pump to ensure it was pumping and air spewed out pretty bad. Could that be the problem and what would cause air to get in the line. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[GASoline71]

You could have crud from the bottom of the tank that got sucked up into the line and clogged it. There is also a "sock" that is over the inlet from the tank... that could have deteriorated over the years too.

Gary

[2manybowties]

I checked the lines I dont think their clogged up it seems like I am getting air from somewhere, if I have a rubber line underneath the truck that is getting sucked closed would that cause the problem?

[GASoline71]

You should only have a short piece of rubber hose from the tank to the steel hose on the frame rail.

If you have a long piece of hose running from the tank to the pump... then that's probably your issue.

Gary

[2manybowties]

It does have a short piece from the tank to the metal lines on the frame but it feels real soft. It dont feel as firm as the normal high pressure fuel line feels.

[leftybass209]

Yes, a long span of rubber line could be the issue. It isn't always the cause as I've seen vehicles run them with no issues (NOT recommended, btw). Start at your fuel sender, it's easy to pull out. Ensure it's clean. Also make sure you have the proper vented or non-vented fuel cap on the tank. Replacing things without understanding what's wrong isn't the best method to diagnose a problem, but it's a great way to drain your bank account!

[2manybowties]

Thanks for the help I will let yall know what I find out.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by leftybass209

Yes, a long span of rubber line could be the issue. It isn't always the cause as I've seen vehicles run them with no issues (NOT recommended, btw). Start at your fuel sender, it's easy to pull out. Ensure it's clean. Also make sure you have the proper vented or non-vented fuel cap on the tank. Replacing things without understanding what's wrong isn't the best method to diagnose a problem, but it's a great way to drain your bank account!

I'm having issues too and I'm thinking its the sock on the bottom of my pick-up tube in the seat tank.

The reason I'm posting is that just this morning I clicked "Buy It Now" on a "J-23346 fuel tank gauge unit spanner". It says that in the service manual and if you get on the google and type that number in you still get hits for a spanner for taking out and installing GM fuel senders.

I went with the proper tool as my Chevelle manual and Truck manual call out the same tool number for removing and installing senders. I have three different senders to deal with so the tool makes sense for me. You can get them out with a brass drift and a hammer but I like tools.

Oh and go used on ebay or similar. You'll faint when you see what that tool number costs new. I paid 16% of the new price listed online this morning.

I hope that tool number helps.