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68 small block fuel pump

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Old May 7, 2021 | 09:13 AM
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Default 68 small block fuel pump

I'm looking for a good stock replacement fuel pump for my L79.

I'm having the hard cold start issues, still troubleshooting, but am starting to suspect my pump is allowing everything to drain.

pump is not original, its an aftermarket pump- carter I believe.

question- Do ALL fuel pumps have a check valve in them? I found someone on ebay selling Ac delco fuel pumps, but when i inquired about a check valve they said no the pump did not have one.
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Old May 7, 2021 | 09:31 AM
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You need to look elsewhere for the problem. Your carb fuel bowls hold more than enough fuel to cause the squirters to squirt when you pump the throttle. The motor rotating from the starter pumps more fuel

Bad pumps symptoms are fuel starvation going down the road

I would look at all ignition parts first and timing. Plugs wires cap rotor coil condenser, and points if you have them.
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Old May 7, 2021 | 10:45 AM
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well following Lars paper, it says a qjet will drain if the fuel pump check valve is no good

car runs good and restarts good other than cold restart. would think timing or another component would show itself all the time, not just on cold starts
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Old May 7, 2021 | 12:16 PM
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Hey TigerJoe
I had cold start problem and it is cured.
Three things I would suggest looking at that I did. They all helped.

1. Napa Gold 3051 filter on the carb has a check valve.
2. Replaced fuel pump cause it was leaking. Dont know if this helped with cold start.
3. Bumped initial timing from factory 4 degrees to 12 degrees! I think this was the biggest help!!

VS


Forgot to mention I also switched from ported to manifold vacuum. I think this is a big deal, too!!
When i bought the vette about 5 years ago it would take forever to start after sitting up for a few days. Did all the above after about 6 months of living with the poor starting characteristics and have not had any trouble since.

Last edited by VERYSOON; May 8, 2021 at 11:23 AM. Reason: remembered something important
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Old May 8, 2021 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by gkull
You need to look elsewhere for the problem. Your carb fuel bowls hold more than enough fuel to cause the squirters to squirt when you pump the throttle.
Hi George!
You're thinking he has a Holley. The '68 L79 used the Q-Jet, and it will drain back through the needle/seat and fuel pump to make the bowl fuel level low enough that the accel pump well won't re-fill after 1 stroke if the fuel pump checkvale is leaking.

Lars

Last edited by lars; May 8, 2021 at 12:24 PM.
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Old May 8, 2021 | 02:12 PM
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Question: Didn't the original 68 L79 have a fuel return line from the filter to the tank? This would automatically release fuel pressure at the, pump to carb, fuel line.
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Old May 8, 2021 | 02:31 PM
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Yes, it had a return, which will release fuel pressure on the line. But it won't siphon the fuel out of the carb like a drain-back problem does with a leaking pump checkvalve.

Lars
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Old May 8, 2021 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by lars
Hi George!
You're thinking he has a Holley. The '68 L79 used the Q-Jet, and it will drain back through the needle/seat and fuel pump to make the bowl fuel level low enough that the accel pump well won't re-fill after 1 stroke if the fuel pump checkvale is leaking.

Lars
Yes, I looked at a quadrajet and I saw that the filler input was near the base.
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Old May 10, 2021 | 12:30 PM
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So bump for my original questions

Do all fuel pumps have a check valve, or does anyone know a good replacement that does?
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Old May 10, 2021 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Tiger Joe
So bump for my original questions

Do all fuel pumps have a check valve, or does anyone know a good replacement that does?

Sorry about that. I bought one from Napa for my 1969 350. It says "Made in S. Korea with Carter engineering" on the label. I was told it has a checkvalve. I have used it for four years now without issue. The fuel outlet faces the wrong way but I used the correct S shaped hose from Zip and did not have a problem with connecting.
VS
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Old May 10, 2021 | 01:57 PM
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
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All diaphragm pumps have a checkvalve - they cannot operate without it.
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Old Mar 14, 2026 | 12:03 PM
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Default initial timing 8 to 12

Originally Posted by VERYSOON
Hey TigerJoe
I had cold start problem and it is cured.
Three things I would suggest looking at that I did. They all helped.

1. Napa Gold 3051 filter on the carb has a check valve.
2. Replaced fuel pump cause it was leaking. Dont know if this helped with cold start.
3. Bumped initial timing from factory 4 degrees to 12 degrees! I think this was the biggest help!!

VS


Forgot to mention I also switched from ported to manifold vacuum. I think this is a big deal, too!!
When i bought the vette about 5 years ago it would take forever to start after sitting up for a few days. Did all the above after about 6 months of living with the poor starting characteristics and have not had any trouble since.
is it a good practice to change initial timing 8BTDC to 12 (1977) (i guess it is about ethanol) ? problem is when engine runs at least 20 minutes and sits at least 10 minutes : cranking about 5 seconds to catch then runs at about 400 rpm for about 5 seconds and then runs ok (550)
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