Weird Mechanical Fuel Pump Problem

[dclamm]

Was on vacation and hadn't started the Z for 3 weeks (ran great before vacation). Got home, it started right up, then died after about 30 seconds. Float bowls were dry. Pulled the line off a carb, no fuel coming out when cranked. Pulled the inlet line off the fuel pump (mechanical, no electric pump) and cranked, no pumping action (no suction on the thumb that I could tell). Blew back through the filter and heard fuel go through to the tank. Figured the pump was bad (cheapo from Autozone about 4 months old). Ordered a new pump.

Today took the old pump off, and it worked by moving the lever once it was off (good suction on the thumb). Hmm. Put it back on, everything is fine. Took a long drive:)

Need to pull the valve cover and look, but is it possible the lever slipped off the cam? Maybe the cheapo pump has some side to side play in the lever? From what I remember of the width of the cam, not likely. And why would it do that after sitting 3 weeks? Also thought maybe the line at the tank got clogged (new POR tank liner 4 months ago) and I blew it out, but again, why after sitting for 3 weeks?

Any ideas? It's fine right now (and I have a spare pump on the way), but don't want to be far from home and have this happen...

Dave

[Bruce Palmer]

Again I harken back to a trip by Idaho Z several years ago where I was shown the inside of a cut open tank that had been coated with the POR stuff. The inlet sock was essentially blogged full of the sealer. This keeps coming up, I'll keep posting this.....

Carry on

[dclamm]

Thanks Bruce, My first "fix" if it happens again will be to blow the line back through the tank to clear the inlet. If it continues, new tank I guess... or carry a can of fuel I can alternatively run to the pump...

BTW, those carbs are wonderfull, no problems there!