1966 U14 - Unable to Keep Engine Running; Believe to be Fuel Pump Issue

[RattleTheGlass]

Happy Thanksgiving to All

We've got a problem where our 66 U14 stopped running, right after starting up from being parked for a few hours, the last time that we had it out on the road. She started, ran for a few seconds, I tapped the gas, and she stopped, never to run since.

I worked with a friend to start troubleshooting down the line. We can get the truck to start pretty immediately by pouring a bit of gas into the carborator, but it won't stay running. We did some tracking backwards and found that the line from the fuel pump to the carb is dry. I was able to get gas from the gas tank to the fuel pump by pressurizing the tank a bit, so we know can get to the pump, but we're not getting anything out the other side to the carb. We figure that the mechanical pump has failed.

I searched for a replacement fuel pump, but that proved to be more difficutl than expected. This is what I settled on https://www.autozone.com/external-e...48824_0_0?searchText=B1207MP&redirectUrl=true. I'm aware that it states 67 -68 for compatibility, but it does appear visually to be identical to what we had installed. I do have the vacuum windshield wipers, so I want to continue using a pump that has the vacuum line hookups.

Anybody have any ideas or information that I should know, such as incompatibility of the part for 66? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!


Regards,
Michael

 

[Oldtimer]

V8 or I6 engine?

 

[RattleTheGlass]

170 I6

 

[okie4570]

Mechanical fuel pumps have been very hit or miss the last few years. I finally just put an electric pump on my 66' u15. Two bad "new" pumps back to back sealed the deal for me lol.

 

[RattleTheGlass]

Thanks, Okie. Wish your response was more encouraging. lol

Should the pump listed for 67-68 CB work in a 66, assuming it is functional?

How do you close the engine back up without a mechanic fuel pump in that spot? What did you do about the vacuum lines for the wipers?

We've kept the 66 as original as possible, and that is definitely part of the goal, so I'm still hoping to get the mechanical pump working. I've seensome information on here regarding rebuild kits for mechanical pumps and am thinking about going that route, as well.

 

[serial car restorer]

If a rebuild kit for your particular pump is available, that would be one of my first choices. I'd feel more confident with a pump I've rebuilt myself than some of the questionable stuff I've seen off the shelf over the past years.

 

[okie4570]

Thanks, Okie. Wish your response was more encouraging. lol

Should the pump listed for 67-68 CB work in a 66, assuming it is functional?

How do you close the engine back up without a mechanic fuel pump in that spot? What did you do about the vacuum lines for the wipers?

We've kept the 66 as original as possible, and that is definitely part of the goal, so I'm still hoping to get the mechanical pump working. I've seensome information on here regarding rebuild kits for mechanical pumps and am thinking about going that route, as well.

I should have asked, is your current pump the 10 screw original 66 pump, or an 8 screw aftermarket? If it's the original, I would try to source a rebuild kit. Those were available at one point but I've not looked into it in a couple years. They make a metal block off plate that goes in place once the mechanical pump is removed.

 

[73azbronco]

original black nylon fuel line? Might have a crack. First try a line from a gas can to pump intake see if it stays running. Be careful and do this outside of garage.

 

[RattleTheGlass]

I should have asked, is your current pump the 10 screw original 66 pump, or an 8 screw aftermarket? If it's the original, I would try to source a rebuild kit. Those were available at one point but I've not looked into it in a couple years. They make a metal block off plate that goes in place once the mechanical pump is removed.

Current pump is 8 screw aftermarket with a metal tag attached that has the part number stamped in it. I did not see that on the attempted replacement pump.

 

[73azbronco]

keep that tag. keep that pump for later rebuild.

 

[RattleTheGlass]

original black nylon fuel line? Might have a crack. First try a line from a gas can to pump intake see if it stays running. Be careful and do this outside of garage.

The original line was replaced during the restoration. I was able to pressurize the tank and get gas to come out where the line connects to the fuel pump. No leaks along the way, so I don't believe there is a crack in the line. Unable to keep the car running when connecting a line to the pump straight from a gas can.

 

[RattleTheGlass]

keep that tag. keep that pump for later rebuild.

Will do. Interesting that it has a metal tag like that, but it is still an 8 screw pump, no?

 

[DirtDonk]

Metal tags were common identifiers on several parts back in the day.
Carburetors, fuel pumps, distributors, front and rear differentials. Even the occasional engine block and firewall. But Broncos typically didn’t have those on the firewall.

 

[laserfish]

Had the same thing happen recently, fuel pump went out while idling. Be soooo careful with the gas in the carb, my dad got severely burned when the engine backfired through the carb before we knew it was the pump. Three months of burn treatment at the Parkland Burn Center in Dallas on his chest. Scary!
Spend the money for a good one (not sure how much better they are), but I got an edelbrock. Next time I will switch to an electric. Buy once, cry once I have learned.

 

[RattleTheGlass]

Had the same thing happen recently, fuel pump went out while idling. Be soooo careful with the gas in the carb, my dad got severely burned when the engine backfired through the carb before we knew it was the pump. Three months of burn treatment at the Parkland Burn Center in Dallas on his chest. Scary!
Spend the money for a good one (not sure how much better they are), but I got an edelbrock. Next time I will switch to an electric. Buy once, cry once I have learned.

Thank you for the caution. My friend who was helping me remotely and explaining how to get the carburetor to pull gas into the pump actually called me in a panic because he didn't properly brief me on the dangers. That said, I really only had prepared a wet rag to smother the carburetor. Sorry to hear about your pops. That must've been pretty awful.