Newbie Check in 1978 FJ40

[1978FJ4O]

Hey guys,
Just picked up a 1978 40 tonight. Rusty and covered in bondo, but I love her. So i took her home and got her running. My problem is that it wont run out of the tank. But it will run when i set a gas tank on top of it and run the pick up hose from there. I am guessing I need a new fuel pump. Just making sure i am making the right assumption. I came to that conclusion because when i have a gas tank higher then then stock one it sucks the fuel fine. So i think the fuel pump is just worn out. What do you think?

Here is a picture i snapped today.

 

[coloradowhaler]

Congratulations, you are in for a great adventure.

 

[bikersmurf]

Welcome!
I'd try blowing some compressed air through the fuel lines. I'd suspect sediment is restricting the fuel flow.

 

[1978FJ4O]

I blew compressed air through the lines. And i also made sure the pick up line in the tank was working with a little pump that u put on top of gear oil cans. Everything seems fine. When run the pick line to a gas can on top of the tank it starts up and runs fine. When i connect it back to the stock tank it doesn't get any fuel.

 

[74fj]

My fj had an electric fuel pump on it when I bought it. When I pulled the stock camshaft out I noticed the fuel pump lobe on the cam was completely worn out. It was so badly worn manafre was hesitant about taking the cam as a core for a new cam but they did.

 

[alkarich]

Welcome to Mud.

Sorry had a hard time following what you had attempted to solve this fuel problem.

Have you attempted to run a new line from a gas can to the mechanical pump?
This would eliminate everything from the stock tank to the pump and isolate the OEM pump.

Are there any filters between the stock pump to carb that you haven't changed?

Good luck.

 

[alkarich]

Also would be a good idea to run a new hose from OEM mechanical pump to carb with filter with above "test".

If the above works then run a new "bypass" hose from the stock tank to the original pump making sure to put an in-line filter prior to the mechanical pump.

If this works then you know you have an obstruction between tank and pump.

Really a process of isolating and checking potential problem areas.

Alan

 

[fjwagon]

You may be right on the fuel pump. I would still remove the gas tank(not hard to do) and inspect for rust and other junk that may be in there.

 

[subzali]

Disconnect the fuel line on the output of the fuel pump, drain it to a bucket, and crank the engine and see if the fuel pump pumps fuel. Plus what everybody else said

Good luck with the project!

 

[1978FJ4O]

Thanks for all the input.
I took the gas tank out (which is plastic) Cleaned it out, and connected all the hoses in the right positions. I then disconnected the fuel line by the fuel filter which is about 3 inches from the carb. I shot compressed air from in the cab and it cleared my lines. Didn't feel like there was anything preventing the air from coming out. I know the truck will run because i took the line coming off the carb and filled it with gas and the truck runs until it burns all the gas. So i bought a new fuel filter and put everything back together.
Start cranking on the truck and i am getting no fuel in the bowl of the carb and i can't see fuel squirting into the fuel filter. Hmmmm. So maybe the pick line in the tank is clogged. I grabbed a little hand pump that u can put on the top of gear oil bottles to fill your axles. Connected it to the pick up fitting on the tank, and started pumping. Gas came out everything seemed fine. I even shot some compressed air back into the tank from the fitting, and used the hand pump again to make sure i didn't blow any line off that ran to the bottom of the tank. So as u know there is no passenger seat in its position because i am working on the tank. I grabbed my 2.5 gallon gas can that was full of gas and set it on top of the stock gas tank. Disconnected the pick up fuel line and threw it in the gas can. Started cranking. The truck sucked gas and started. FINALLY got to drive the truck! So I had my fun driving around for 15 mins before i couldn't take the fumes anymore.

My conclusion from all of this is that, since it will run from a gas can (that is sitting higher then the fuel pump), but not the stock gas tank (which sits lower then the fuel pump). That my fuel pump is to weak to pick up the gas from the stock tank.

I went ahead and ordered a new fuel pump from JTOutfitters which should be here tomorrow.

I am just wondering if someone has had similar issues?
Also, What are symptoms of bad fuel pumps?
I know that your 40 won't start. I am wondering is there any hints u get before they go out?