Fuel pump push rod length?

[stevespeirs]

Have had problems with no fuel getting to the carb. Bus starts if I pour a capful of gas into the throat of the carb, but otherwise, it justs turn over without starting.

Figured it could be a fuel pump issue, so just removed the pump and measured the push rod. Looks like it's a fraction under 100mm.

Any way to test the pump (it's an Airtex 1109 installed by the PO)? Think it could be time for a new push rod?

I have a fuel line kit on its way from Scott at German Supply - figured it was a good time to replace all the old fuel lines and get the pump thing sorted at the same time.

First time messing with the fuel lines, so a bit apprehensive to be honest. Thanks in advance for the advice.
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1979 Microbus

[busdaddy]

Nothing wrong with that, 4" is correct for an alternator pump like you have.

Try disconnecting the line to the carb and pumping into a bottle while cranking, sometimes the needle and seat in the carb will stick in the closed position and act like a bad pump.
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[germansupplyscott]

it looks right in the photo, the pump seems to be the alternator type (i am judging by the angle that pump is tilted off vertical, alternator pump is more tilted than generator pump) and the pushrod is 4" which is a match to that pump.
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SL

[stevespeirs]

Thanks busdaddy/Scott. Probably should have tried the pumping into a bottle before pulling the pump. I'll give that a go and see what happens.
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1979 Microbus

[germansupplyscott]

i had an issue not long ago where i had a pump that seemed to work by hand, PR was correct length, everything seemed fine, but on the car the pump didn't pump. i farted around with it for hours and finally gave up and put a different pump on the engine. this was an engine that was super original so i really wanted the original pump on there instead of something newer style. i never figured out the issue. what i am saying is sometimes everything with the pumps will seem OK and yet they do not work on the engine.
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SL

[stevespeirs]

Spent the afternoon removing the old fuel lines and draining the tank.

Guess I should have checked the fuel lines before second guessing the fuel pump. What a mess! Can't wait to receive & install Scott's fuel line kit. Need to order a new copper tank fuel filter/sock by the looks of things too...

From what I can tell, inside the tank doesn't look *too* bad. Any tips on flushing through any remaining gunk before installing all the new stuff?

Feels SO good to be getting this done. Thanks as always for the support and advice.
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1979 Microbus

[busdaddy]

I hope those are all "before" pictures, yuk, looks like time well spent to deal with that mess.

You can flush with a gallon of gas, put a coffee filter in the funnel when you recover it so you can repeat as necessary.
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[stevespeirs]

Great idea with the coffee filter, busdaddy. Job for tomorrow after work...
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1979 Microbus

[busdaddy]

[stevespeirs]

Time for an update...

Well, the new fuel hose arrived from germansupply.com and was pretty easy to install, even for a novice like myself.

Also fitted a new screen/sock inside the tank after flushing it through a couple of times per busdaddy's suggestion, and changed the oil as it was definitely overdue.

Tried starting her up, but the engine would just turn over and not catch. The only way I could get it started was the pour a capful of gas down the carb throat trick. Not ideal, but I knew I was getting closer.

Found this thread about the idle adjust on a 34 PICT-3 --

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=56411

and discovered the idle jet was blocked. Still wouldn't start after blowing through the jet with air, so after more research went through the automatic choke adjustment procedure on Rob and Dave’s Aircooled Volkswagen Pages --

http://www.vw-resource.com/choke2.html

With the choke refitted and screwed in place, I turned the key and she fired right up. Idled for quite a while too. Couldn't believe it really.

So, what's next? Make sure the timing is spot on? Like I keep saying, I'm a total novice with regards to this stuff, but feel like I have a fair grasp of what's going on after lots of reading and searching online.

My current setup -- 231 178 009 distributor with compufire ignition module and a Bocar 34 PICT-3 which I realize is probably not ideal. As ever, thanks everyone for getting me this far, any advice/comments will be greatly appreciated.
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1979 Microbus

[busdaddy]

Congratulations, you are almost there, read this thread regarding timing (I know some applies to a later bus but the rules are the same for all of them) : http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=531948
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

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