The Ford Barn

Anteek29 · 05-22-2022, 11:40 AM

On my Vic the little accessory fuel pump inline from the tank to the main fuel pump has failed and I want to replace it with a new one. Will I have a problem with significant gas flow once I cut the rubber hoses and open the line? Siphon gas from tank? Don't know what to expect.

dmsfrr · 05-22-2022, 01:44 PM

Yes it will try to go everywhere. Depends in the size of the line you're cutting, how much lower the open fuel line is than the fuel tank and how full the tank is. A good sized drain pan may be helpful.... along with a bolt or similar of an appropriate size to stuff into the open end of the hose.

If you can easily siphon the tank into gas cans that will help. If the rubber fuel line is fairly new you can crimp it shut with vice-grips. But that may tend to split the rubber and you'll be back in the same boat, needing to replace the rubber hose while fuel runs out.
Unless the '55 Vic has an outside-air fuel tank vent, removing the gas cap and covering the filler neck opening with a layer of tape may slow down the flow of fuel coming out. (Don't leave the tape in place more than 30 minutes or it can make a sticky mess.)

Adequate ventilation and an easy to reach fire extinguisher are important too.
.

Daves55Sedan · 05-22-2022, 03:58 PM

If I were doing this, I would open the drain plug in the bottom of the fuel tank into a super clean oil-change basin. Use two basins and switch to the empty basin when one is full enough to empty into a gas can. Repeat until gas tank is empty.
Keep an empty basin under the car for when you disconnect the metal fuel line tubing, as you are likely to spill some out of the line.

Anteek29 · 05-22-2022, 06:28 PM

Thanks guys!

Flathead Fever · 05-24-2022, 05:51 PM

The saftest this is to siphon the tank or if it has a drain plug drain the fuel out.

My neighbor was under his '40 Ford convertible and pulled that hose. The fuel hit the hot incandescent drop light and it burst into flames. It sent him to the hospital with bad burns. The fuel just kept coming out and spreading the fire

Do it outside where you can get away from it if you have an accident. Throw those old-style droplights in the trash. I was a mechanic and we had special plyers made for crimping off hoses for situations like this. You probably want to replace the hose anyway so it would be best to just drain the tank and replace the hose too. Buy a hose rated for fuel injection, it is superior hose that will last years longer than the old rubber hoses for carburetors.

If you are replacing an auxiliary electric fuel pump that is only there to prime the engine you need to be aware there are two kinds of pumps; one which shuts off in the closed position to hold fuel in the line between the pump and engine. Then there are pumps that remain open in the off position. You want the one that remains open so the mechanical fuel pump will still be able to pull fuel through the pump when it is off.

55blacktie · 05-24-2022, 07:31 PM

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Can you cap the cut line with a rubber/plastic cap? I did, but that was at the other end, inside the engine compartment.

05-22-2022, 11:40 AM	#1
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	R & R Fuel Pump? On my Vic the little accessory fuel pump inline from the tank to the main fuel pump has failed and I want to replace it with a new one. Will I have a problem with significant gas flow once I cut the rubber hoses and open the line? Siphon gas from tank? Don't know what to expect. __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria Last edited by Anteek29; 05-22-2022 at 11:52 AM. Reason: Clarify

05-22-2022, 01:44 PM	#2
dmsfrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 3,607	Re: R & R Fuel Pump? Yes it will try to go everywhere. Depends in the size of the line you're cutting, how much lower the open fuel line is than the fuel tank and how full the tank is. A good sized drain pan may be helpful.... along with a bolt or similar of an appropriate size to stuff into the open end of the hose. If you can easily siphon the tank into gas cans that will help. If the rubber fuel line is fairly new you can crimp it shut with vice-grips. But that may tend to split the rubber and you'll be back in the same boat, needing to replace the rubber hose while fuel runs out. Unless the '55 Vic has an outside-air fuel tank vent, removing the gas cap and covering the filler neck opening with a layer of tape may slow down the flow of fuel coming out. (Don't leave the tape in place more than 30 minutes or it can make a sticky mess.) Adequate ventilation and an easy to reach fire extinguisher are important too. . Last edited by dmsfrr; 05-22-2022 at 03:29 PM.

05-22-2022, 03:58 PM	#3
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: R & R Fuel Pump? If I were doing this, I would open the drain plug in the bottom of the fuel tank into a super clean oil-change basin. Use two basins and switch to the empty basin when one is full enough to empty into a gas can. Repeat until gas tank is empty. Keep an empty basin under the car for when you disconnect the metal fuel line tubing, as you are likely to spill some out of the line.

05-22-2022, 06:28 PM	#4
Anteek29 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Santa Maria, CA Posts: 985	Re: R & R Fuel Pump? Thanks guys! __________________ Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria

05-24-2022, 05:51 PM	#5
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,095	Re: R & R Fuel Pump? The saftest this is to siphon the tank or if it has a drain plug drain the fuel out. My neighbor was under his '40 Ford convertible and pulled that hose. The fuel hit the hot incandescent drop light and it burst into flames. It sent him to the hospital with bad burns. The fuel just kept coming out and spreading the fire Do it outside where you can get away from it if you have an accident. Throw those old-style droplights in the trash. I was a mechanic and we had special plyers made for crimping off hoses for situations like this. You probably want to replace the hose anyway so it would be best to just drain the tank and replace the hose too. Buy a hose rated for fuel injection, it is superior hose that will last years longer than the old rubber hoses for carburetors. If you are replacing an auxiliary electric fuel pump that is only there to prime the engine you need to be aware there are two kinds of pumps; one which shuts off in the closed position to hold fuel in the line between the pump and engine. Then there are pumps that remain open in the off position. You want the one that remains open so the mechanical fuel pump will still be able to pull fuel through the pump when it is off.

05-24-2022, 07:31 PM	#6
55blacktie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 442	Re: R & R Fuel Pump? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Can you cap the cut line with a rubber/plastic cap? I did, but that was at the other end, inside the engine compartment.