LUVTruck.com

Hello! I very recently became the proud owner of a '72 LUV, for free! I traded some bits I had around the shop for it. This is my second truck (daily driver is an '86 Nissan 720) and I plan to make a fun project out of it. However, before I can get into project mode, I need to get some work done with it, so I'll be leaving it stock for the time being.

When I went to pick it up the alternator was disconnected and the previous owner said it had overcharged the battery. Investigated and found he had installed a reman alternator without properly wiring up the external regulator. About an hour with the Haynes and a multimeter and I had it wired up and charging properly -- correct voltage and amperage. Drove it home and parked it on the street outside the house, which is a slight incline though not a big hill. Put the battery on the charger since I knew it was low. I then started it up and drove it around the block several times over the past week.

Now I can't get her started -- because there's no fuel in the float bowl! I've cranked her over with the starter for plenty long to on avail. It seems that no fuel is getting into the carb and I suspect the mechanical fuel pump. Maybe it was out to begin with and I was driving around the block on whatever fuel was left in the bowl from my trip home -- or on weak vacuum from the carb. She's definitely not getting fuel now as I can put my nose in the carb and smell no vapors. Not even hand pumping the accelerator pump gets me anything.

Anything common on these carbs I should check before replacing the fuel pump? Also, as long as the fuel pump gasket isn't leaking crankcase oil, think it's alright to leave it on the block but reroute the fuel lines to a universal electric pump mounted near the tank? I'd rather have more reliable positive fuel pressure and stay away from vapor lock, plus those electric pumps are a lot cheaper than the OEM mechanical pump. I can't find any fuel pump block off plates for this old engine so it seems best just to leave the pump on.

Any advice? Thanks.

Maybe you drove it long enough to finally plug a filter. I found a guy stranded 50 miles out in nowhere with an old truck he just bought. Plugged fuel filter. Bypassed it and got him on the road.

I would do the easy stuff first.

Disconnect the fuel line from the carb. Route it to a clear container. An old water bottle works. Then crank it over. If you get fuel in the bottle, then the problem is in the carb. If you get no fuel, then the problem is between the tank and pump. Five minute test.

Check to see if there is a filter between the tank and pump. See if it is plugged. I think that's where you might find the issue. I doubt if you have been driving with a bad pump. I don't think the float bowl could hold enough fuel to get you around the block several times, without being replenished.

I've had my Luv for about six weeks now, and I'm on my third filter. I have a plan to pull and recoat the tank, but for now there is a lot of junk in the tank.

Good luck.

arty has it right.. i'd add pulling the fuel line at the pump (one to tank) and put the end in a jug of gas and see if it'll draw fuel. that would eliminate the pump if it draws fuel...