How to prime fuel system?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 6, 2005 | 09:53 PM

steves_77vette

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 492

Likes: 0

From: Birmingham AL

How to prime fuel system?

I'm getting close to starting up the motor for the first time. Since this is a complete rebuild from the fuel tank forward, exactly how should I prime the fuel system so I'm not cranking the fool out of a new engine waiting for the pump to pull gas to the carb?

Jun 6, 2005 | 10:18 PM

gearheadz

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 1,004

Likes: 16

From: Gainesville, Florida

You can prime the line to the pump on the engine by applying suction to the fuel line at the rubber line to the pump. You can use a vacuum pump or the old fashioned way....same as siphoning gas out of a tank.

It helps to put a squirt of gas into the throat of the carb to get the engine started. If you put just enough, it should run long enough to build some fuel pressure at the carb.

Last edited by gearheadz; Jun 6, 2005 at 10:22 PM.

Jun 6, 2005 | 11:58 PM

johnt365

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 1,714

Likes: 42

From: Austin Texas

i just did the same thing. basically, i used an IV. laugh if you will but i got a small plastic bottle, the same kind girls use to apply hair color, and filled it with gas. the plastic bottle had the long pointed tip on it that fit snug into the fuel line that connects to the carb. this allowed me to fill the fuel bowl of the carb. totally worked.

Jun 7, 2005 | 09:55 AM

NHvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 8,339

Likes: 24

From: I can walk to MA

I didn't do anything to prime it up - and it only took about 30 seconds of cranking to get the carb full.

The easiest thing to do is use a small funnel and fill the carb
bowls through the vent tube ... then it will fire right up and get
the gas pumped right up.

Jun 7, 2005 | 10:05 AM

Ganey

Race Director

Joined: Apr 1999

Posts: 11,520

Likes: 13

From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHvette

The easiest thing to do is use a small funnel and fill the carb
bowls through the vent tube ... then it will fire right up and get
the gas pumped right up.

Right. Gas should be at the pump by gravity. If you loosen the line at the pump ...

Jun 7, 2005 | 10:27 AM

Z-man

Race Director

Joined: Nov 1999

Posts: 10,643

Likes: 8

From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible

I also toss in a spoonful of gas in the carb (put the air cleaner back on). This will fire the engine for a few seconds and take the strain off the starter.

Jun 7, 2005 | 10:34 AM

Chumpzilla

Pro

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 642

Likes: 0

From: Dallas Texas

Same here... I didn't prime anything. Just drop a teaspoon of gas into the carb..... Cranked..... it fired up enough for the system to prime itself and then started.... took 10 seconds or so.....

Jun 7, 2005 | 12:52 PM

MotorHead

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 17,665

Likes: 194

From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.

As stated gravity will get the the gas to the pump and the proper proceedure for getting the carb ready is to fill the bowls thru the vent tubes, raw gas down the venturis is not recommended, but maybe the easiest