The Dodge Challenger Message Board

I am having trouble with my fuel system. I recently tried to start my engine with no success. I have a clear fuel filter so I was able to see that no fuel was running up to the carb. I replaced the fuel pump because like most people, I assume something is broken without testing it. This didne help. Knowing that sometimes wou have to run the engine at greater than a cranking speed to get it to prime, I manually filled the carb with fuel and it started fine. I ran it at about 2k rpm and for about 1 minute but the carb ran out of fuel and the engine died. There was no pumpimg. Thinking that there might be a clog in the line, I tried blowing into the fuel line in a reverse manner. I could hear gas bubbleing in the tank. I got a pretty good buzz blowing hard into that fuel line so it wasn't a total loss.
So where does this leave me? I am fearful that I have flattened the lobe on the cam which actuates the fuel pump push rod.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Perry

oh yeah, it's a 440 if that matters

First make sure you have the in/out on the pump the right way around.

You did make sure the steel follower was up when you put the pump in and that it is sitting on the pump lever? You didn't just bolt the pump up without jamming the follower up with grease first did you?

Try running a line from a bucket of fuel to the fuel pump inlet. The engine should run until the bucket gets empty.

If it does the problem is in the line to the tank or in the tank sender. There is a replaceable filter on the sender pick-up in the tank.

Have you driven on a rough road lately? Maybe a stone or something has made a dent on the fuel line? Just a suggestion....

pscartozzi wrote:I am fearful that I have flattened the lobe on the cam which actuates the fuel pump push rod.

A flattened lobe on the cam feels a bit unlikely to me. That problem can´t be very common, or....?

CLOGGED fuel filter or pre-filter in tank is clogged.

Dave,
Yes I did make sure the follower was up there. I'm sure the polarity of the hookup was correct as the original pump was in there working then stopped.
The filter in the tank near the sender is news to me. I'll grab my shop manual and seek it out.
Thanks everyone for all the good ideas. I'll let you know what happens. Why does something always seem to break on the first sunny 70 degree day in seven months?
Perry

The filter is on the very end of the sender in the tank. Pull the sender out and you will see it.

pscartozzi wrote: Why does something always seem to break on the first sunny 70 degree day in seven months?
Perry

I think it´s because the car has been standing for a long time without being used. I´ve heard that a fuel tank can get quite rusted if it is almost empty during storage. Maybe it is a better idea to full up the tank to prevent rust. On the other hand will the gasoline get old if you store it for a long time. Any thoughts?

Best to fill it completely. It will not go that bad if it is just a few months over winter. Even if it does go off a bit it does not matter. These cars soon use it up!

OK, here's the latest. I took Dave's advise and hooked short hoses to the inlet and outlet of the pump. I fed the inlet with a small bucket of gas. I put the outlet hose into a catch bucket. There was no pumping. THis is with a brand new fuel pump.
I switched the buckets to test polarity even though I am sure I am right. I removed the pump again to inspect the push rod that actuates it and it looked fine.
If the catch bucket has a little gas in it I notice there is bubbling. I placed my finger over the hose to se if I can feel a vacuum. There are pulses of pressurization and vacuum. What is this telling me?
I have removed all the possibilities of a clogged filter or tank filter, clogged line, etc.

You should only feel pulses of pressure at the outlet. Time to take the fuel pump back.

I highly recommend one of the Holley or Carter mechanical pumps. They are solid built and come apart in the unlikely event of them needing some servicing.

dave-r wrote:Best to fill it completely. It will not go that bad if it is just a few months over winter. Even if it does go off a bit it does not matter. These cars soon use it up!

I guess you are right, Dave. The thing is that I have been messing with two motorcycles during the last ten years. They have a tendency to be very difficult to get running if the gasoline is a bit old (more than three months old or something). I guess they are more sensitive to bad gasoline than our beloved cars.

We have a winner. It's Dave. I returned the fuel pump for a replacement. I took the cheap first one back to Pep Boys and bought a replacement Carter from Napa. It's kinda frustrating because you assume the new parts are good and it forces you to look elsewhere for the problem.
Thanks all for the good advise and Dave, your crate hemi is in the mail.
Perry

I am glad you found the problem. A little logic goes a long way eh?

Check out that filter in the tank anyway Perry. They never get changed and you usually find they are half clogged up.