Sunday, July 4, 2021
I wrapped up the re-installation of the fuel pump on the Plymouth today — after three attempts.
Actually, the pump was mounted on the engine all three times; the problems didn’t become evident until it was mounted. The first time, i had the fittings reversed — it takes two different fittings that attach to the pump to attach the metal fuel lines. I was able to unscrew them, but because the mounting bosses were so low, I was unable to screw the fittings back in the correct place, which led me to remove it. With the fittings in the correct place, I reinstalled the pump.
There is a flexible hose “pigtail” that connects the pump to the fuel line from the tank. I was unable to get it threaded in the fitting due to the tight quarters. Time to remove it the second time. I installed the pigtail and replaced the pump.
However this time the difficulty was the hose “pigtail” — the female fitting was too large — the original fitting on the Plymouth was a size smaller. I could remove the pigtail with the pump mounted, but — again — I couldn’t thread the original pigtail hose on the pump in place. Thus removal number 3.
I installed the original pigtail on the pump and re-installed for the fourth and final time. I connected the pigtail — no problem. I re-installed the fuel line from the pump to the carb. After cranking the engine over, the pump began drawing fuel just fine, and the engine fired right up! Success!!
NOTES ABOUT AGING. The Plymouth is 65 years old, and I think we both would agree that crawling around a V8 engine isn’t nearly as easy as it was when I was a kid. My hamstrings are still sore from being bent over all day Friday.
TEMPERATURE CHECK. With the Plymouth getting fuel once again, I started her up, removed the radiator cap and let her warm up to operating temperature. In time, I felt hot water flowing thru the radiator, which means the thermostat is apparently working. The weather wasn’t hot enough to create a vapor lock condition; but frankly, I’m not convinced vapor lock is the real problem. I’ll have to check it again on a hot day.
I’m thinking of adding an electric fan or fans to the radiator to make sure sufficient air is geting thru the radiator to cool the engine. I need to see how she runs the next week or two.