1984 fleetwood/chevy fuel problem

[BHubbard]

I am working on a 84 30' fleetwood with a 454 engine,I have no fuel at the carb. and it has a stock cam operated fuel pump,I also found cracked rubber fuel lines where the filter is spliced into the hard line running along the frame before the engine. should I remove this and install a inline electric pump to suck fuel from the tank to prime the engine mounted pump? will fixing the cracked lines make the pump pull fuel from the tank? Is there a electric in tank pump in this that is busted? if so can I install a pump inline and pull through this pump so I dont have to remove the tank?

any help from others with motorhomes would be great,all the motorhome links online were crappy

 

[Hoefler]

No in tank pump. Check that filter. If it is between the tank and the fuel pump, it takes a lot less to cause a restriction on the suction side of the pump. A restricted fuel filter on the suction side of the pump is very prone to causing a vapor lock as well if it is near any heat source as well. Check the rubber lines between tank and hard lines on frame. Chances are you will find the cracked as well.

 

[GaryOwen]

Saw a guy at a motel replace his mechanical fuel pump with an inline electric pump on his motorhome. Worked fine.

 

[BHubbard]

I found all of the fuel lines cracked,and 45 gal. of 4year old gas in the tank,I am now dealing with this and will start it later , I am installing a 32gpm electric pump to help push fuel to the stock fuel pump.

 

[jelag]

Often on an older vehicle the mechanical pump might be fine but there is a crack in the line and it sucks air, not fuel..... I'd replace all the hoses...

You need to remember that an in line electric pump in a motor home can be a health hazard if and when you might be in an accident... . current design has oil pressure cutouts so that if the engine quits the pump dies... in your case it could flood the hot engine compartment with fuel from a broken line... .

 

[Garlic]

I ditto the low oil cut off. It is a must on a motor home. I have had the best luck with the Carter 'RV' or 'HD' type pumps, not some Pep Boys 'el Cheapo'. The closer you have it to the fuel tank the longer they will last and the better they work. Removing the stock fuel pump is a bad idea, most late'ish model Chevys and Fords have a vapor return port (Bleed off) that will lower the fuel pressure and return some of the boiling fuel back to the tank, this will also keep the fuel liquid and cooler. Fuel line cracking was a big issue on the Carb'ed "P" chassis, make sure you repalce it with a high quality fuel hose, I have used fuel injection hosing for repairing these type units with great success. Check your fuel pressure also and try not to exceed 6 psi at the carb, 454's run very well on 4 to 5 psi of good clean fuel.

 

[BHubbard]

Good point you guys I will definetly run through a oil switch if I install el'cheapo 32 gpm facet pump,or return it for a carter pump, I will keep the stock pump setup maby replace it?

I will R&R the tank and lines soon and fire it up!