I'm not sure where this fits in, so I picked the most general topic. I have a 1970 Scout 800A with an AMC straight 6 engine that is used to get around on a ranch. It ran nice but has been sitting for nearly a year. Now, it won't run because it isn't getting fuel to the carburetor. I started by draining the old gas, putting in new gas, and trying to start it with help from starting fluid, and it ran briefly. I guessed the fuel pump wasn't working, but the pump had been rebuilt 10 years ago without many miles since. I took the pump apart, and the diaphragm looked okay. After putting the pump back on, I tried it with a line from a container of fuel below the pump. The engine started and ran fine. So, I assume that the line from the tanks is blocked. Next, I took off the two-way valve between tanks - it was clean and open. I put the valve back, blew compressed air to both of the tanks and heard bubbles. But the engine still would not start. Now I am wondering if there is a restriction in the tank pickup lines that makes it hard to get gas to the pump. This is long to answer questions before they are asked. Now, to my question (finally) before pulling the tanks - does anyone know if there are supposed to be filters or socks on the end of the pickup lines? Ten years ago, I took the tanks off, cleaned them, and sealed them with POR 15 tank coating. And the engine ran. But I can't remember installing filters or socks on the lines. I only remember that it was not an easy job to remove and re-install the tanks. I like the Scout. It is compact, handles nice in the field, and I never got stuck. But it needs to run.
Fuel Tank Pickup
- Thread starter John49
- Start date
Scoutboy74
Moderator
I would think the pickup tube should have a sock on it. Most do. You could try reconnecting the lines to the pump, then bottle fill the carb fuel bowl to get the engine started, which will let it run for a bit and if need be you could hop out and continue to bottle feed the carb to keep it running. That way you could give the pump an honest chance to pull fuel from the tank, better than can be done by starter cranking alone, plus you don't kill the starter that way by excessive cranking. Then if it doesn't pickup, you know for sure you'll have to drop the tank. Or you could just skip ahead to that likely conclusion.
Good idea. I could hang a bottle from the open hood. Just need to figure out what to use for a "bottle".
I don't know what a boroscope is or where to find one. I am concerned about the tank coating. It might have made more problems than were solved.
Scoutboy74
Moderator
I think it was a typo. Borescope. Little camera on the end of a long cable with a little monitor on the other end. Insert into holes for looksees.