302 Fuel Delivery Problems

[JuJu1289]

Hey guys, Ive been "done" with my 302 swap in my 87 ranger for about 3 months now and have run into my first problem. At the moment, my in-line fuel pressure gauge is reading the normal 6 psi but the sight glass/filter is not filling all the way full with fuel. Its almost like I have fuel pressure but no volume. Normally that filter will be all the way full and you can see the fuel jetting out from the core.

Im running a Holley Red fuel pump that is only 3 months old and from what ive read they are reliable, but im not ruling that out as the problem. I have also already replaced the main fuel filter that is next to the tank.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[gsp]

You could be sucking air from somewhere, I sumped the bottom of the tank because the steel lines in the tank pick-up were leaking.

 

[baddad457]

If the carb's not running out of fuel, don't worry about it. An air bubble in the top of a filter is completely normal. Air will only go in one direction on top of a liquid........up. If there's no outlet for it in that direction, it will have no other place to go and will stay there

 

[JuJu1289]

If the carb's not running out of fuel, don't worry about it. An air bubble in the top of a filter is completely normal. Air will only go in one direction on top of a liquid........up. If there's no outlet for it in that direction, it will have no other place to go and will stay there

I forgot to mention that it is running out of fuel. If I sit there and let the pump prime for about 30 seconds the truck will start and drive for about 1/4 mile. If I dont let it prime itl only go a couple feet then die.

 

[gsp]

I forgot to mention that it is running out of fuel. If I sit there and let the pump prime for about 30 seconds the truck will start and drive for about 1/4 mile. If I dont let it prime itl only go a couple feet then die.

Tank vent! or gas cap vent plugged up.... Try it with gas cap off. If that dont work,,, you are sucking air.

 

[JuJu1289]

Tried running it with the cap off...same deal. I guess my next step will be to bypass the regulator and see if there is something in there that is regulating pressure but also cutting back the amount of fuel delivered.

 

[baddad457]

Is the regulator adjustable ? If it is, then it likely needs to be adjusted. Be that as it may, a carb with full fuel bowls will go a mile or more before running out of fuel and killing the engine.

 

[superdave1984]

Is this an in tank pump or external?

 

[JuJu1289]

Is this an in tank pump or external?

Both, I have the stock in tank pump from the 2.9 and the holley red on the rail. They regulator is adjustable and I had it set at 7 psi, i screwed in down a little bit and knocked it up to about 11 psi and fuel started jetting through the glass like it should. I put it back down to 7 and drove it about a mile and it ran fine.

The regulator I have is one of those $30 Holleys off summit. I am on a budget or I would upgrade to a nicer regulator, but hopefully this one will hold up for the time being.

 

[baddad457]

You really should ditch one of the pumps. Even by itself the Holley pump is overkill for a carbed engine. This could be part of your problem. The EFI pump is over pressuring the Holley pump, that could possibly cause it to malfunction and screw with the regulator. You counjld replace all three with a single Mr Gasket 12G(or was it 12S?) pump

 

[JuJu1289]

I had a Mr Gasket and it went out in a few weeks. The holley red pump has a max psi of 7 which requires no regulator. I could use only the holley but i would have to take off my bed and take out the in tank pump

 

[baddad457]

You can easily drop the tank and work on it without raising the bed, just drain the tank first. It's plastic and weighs hardly nothing when empty. I have the Mr Gasket pump feeding my Comet's 331 sixpack, been doing the job now for 4-5 years. Had a similar Purolator pump feeding the V8's in my 89 Ranger for ten years until I sold it. Never had an issue with either pump. Drop the tank, remove the fuel pump assembly, cut the wires to it, remove the rubber check valve from the end of the return line, put a short piece of hose on the end of the return and use it to feed the Holley pump. Just make sure the pump assembly O ring seals when you reintalll it in the tank. Mine didn't and I had hell with water gettting into the tank, eventually leading me to ditch the tank for an in-bed tank. Where did the water come from ? The front of the bed drains directly onto the top of the pump assembly.

 

[gsp]

I had a Mr Gasket and it went out in a few weeks. The holley red pump has a max psi of 7 which requires no regulator. I could use only the holley but i would have to take off my bed and take out the in tank pump

I have been running the red pump for years with no regulator. Perfect and reliable. I installed a 90 degree 3/8" nipple fitting in the bottom of the tank to pull fuel. Looks like you got it working. Get rid of tank pump or bypass it with a bottom sump. On my 93 the plastic tank is .5" thick at the bottom perfect to drill and tap. DO NOT drill with electric drill!!!!!! YOU WILL DIE!!! I used pneumatic drill. Do not even need to drop tank or remove bed.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115520

I can host the pics back up if you go this way..

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I had a Mr Gasket and it went out in a few weeks. The holley red pump has a max psi of 7 which requires no regulator. I could use only the holley but i would have to take off my bed and take out the in tank pump

My Mr Gasket pump has been in since March and hasn't missed a beat yet.

DO NOT drill with electric drill!!!!!! YOU WILL DIE!!!

Funhater.

 

[baddad457]

. DO NOT drill with electric drill!!!!!! YOU WILL DIE!!! I used pneumatic drill. Do not even need to drop tank or remove bed..

And do NOT use a vacuum cleaner to remove fuel from the tank. YOU WILL DIE AND THERE WILL BE A TERRIBLE EXPLOSION FOR YOUR NEIGHBOURS TO ENJOY AT YOUR EXPENSE !!!!!