LUVTruck.com

I recently rebuilt an 80' with the automatic. Completely rebuilt the engine, and have everything back and buttoned up. It'll start, but won't stay running. Acts like it's not getting fuel. Had to do a lot of rewiring(mice)and feel confident that everything is as it should be. Does the fuel pump run with the key in the on position? Mine shows current to the pump with the key in the start position. What did I do wrong or what am I overlooking. When it's running(about 1 minute)it sounds really good. But after it runs the fuel out that I've primed the carb with, it is dry in the carb and the fuel lines leading to the carb. $70 for a new pump, but want to make sure thats the problem before I shell out the bux. Thanks for the help.
Tramp

If you have a way to purge the fuel lines I'd recommend doing so. There is a fuel filter in the pump also, so you'd want to change that as well. Since it sat for so long, you may also consider dropping the gas tank and having it cleaned. Sounds like fuel is seeping into the carb from pressure, which probably means the pump is doing it's job (or at least some of it's job). Sometimes something will work it's way into the fuel outlet on the tank after it runs for a bit. A nut, screw, chunk of varnish or rust, etc. One of our members actually had a hornet that would slosh in and out of the fuel outlet, and cause the truck to hiccup. How quickly can you restart it after it runs out of fuel?

For troubleshooting, I'd run 12V from the battery to a toggle switch inline with the fuel pump. Turn it on for a few seconds, and listen. You should be able to hear the fuel pump. If it makes noise, start it. If it continues to run then throw the switch. It should stall. That should confirm if the pump is the problem.

Under normal wiring circumstances there is a relay that latches with the key when you bump from from start to run, it's under the cover on the front passenger fenderwell. There are two relays actually. The one towards the front of the truck is the fuel pump relay, the other one is the ballast resistor relay. If you've removed these, this may be all that's keeping it from running. You can add an aftermarket unit. Lots of threads on that here!

If the pump is bad, you can install a universal unit for much less than $70. I've got an older aftermarket Purolator 12V in mine, works fine. Here's an equivalent:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ELECTRIC ... 243302393&

Good luck, let us know what you find.

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"If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves" - Thomas Edison

The fuel pump system on a Luv works like this: When you turn the key to start it feeds power to the pump to fill the carb bowl. After the engine is running power is fed to the pump through a relay which is energized by the alternator charging. This relay current comes from a wire at the voltage regulator (white w/red stripe). So if the alternator stops charging the fuel pump shuts down.