Fuel pump question

[DeckApe]

I have a Mercruiser 233 I rebuilt out of my 1977 SeaRay, Engine S/N 4497497. During the rebuild I replaced the fuel pump with a Sierra 18-7266. Now that I have it started (dumping gas down the carb) I have no fuel coming up the line. I hooked up to a small diagnostic tank to rule any issues with the main tank and still nothing.

Here is where I think I may have screwed myself...when the fuel pump came in the inlet for the sight glass was in the wrong orientation so I removed all the screws and carefully rotated that part of the pump to the same orientation as the old one I removed. Did I scrap a brand new fuel pump? If not do I need to prime this thing or something?

 

[Failproof]

Re: Fuel pump question

As long as you did not tear the diaphram, or create a vaccum leak, you should be fine. Is your pump pulling vacuum?

 

[DeckApe]

Re: Fuel pump question

If it were pulling vacuum wouldn't it be drawing the fuel thru the fuel line? I put a clear fuel filter in the hose portion of the fuel line so I would be able to see the fuel flow and nothing has been drawn thru.

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Fuel pump question

Ah...the good ol' sierra fuel pump! Mine (18-7283) lasted a whole 7.5 hours before it broke and I had to replace it with an OEM pump. Hope you can figure out your issues. Not familiar with the "sight glass" inlet. Is that referring to the sight flow tube to the carb?

 

[DeckApe]

Re: Fuel pump question

It has a glass bowl attached to the side of the fuel pump with a plastic sign that says "If there is fuel in this bowl replace the fuel pump". The pump being a duel diaphragm does not have a tube to the carb, instead, if the first diaphragm ruptures fuel goes into the glass bowl, but the pump continues to function on the second diaphragm. At least that's how I understood it from the description in the manual.

 

[Chobes]

Re: Fuel pump question

Did you get this resolved? I am experiencing the same issue with my Carter pump. Just installed a tune up kit on my 1986 MCM 140 181HP 4 cyl. I changed my Filter in my pump and now it will not draw fuel from the tank! also replaced the fuel line from the tank to the pump. Any ideas???

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Fuel pump question

Did you get this resolved? I am experiencing the same issue with my Carter pump. Just installed a tune up kit on my 1986 MCM 140 181HP 4 cyl. I changed my Filter in my pump and now it will not draw fuel from the tank! also replaced the fuel line from the tank to the pump. Any ideas???

Please start a new thread... Thanks! KTB

 

[DeckApe]

Re: Fuel pump question

I did get this resolved. After reading a couple Ford engine forums I hooked up a 3 gallon motorcycle tank to the fuel line to take any issues with the fuel tank out of the equation. I then used a squeeze bottle and filled the carb bowl through the vent. From what I read the RPMs from cranking aren't enough to get the fuel up from the tank and the pump primed. Positioning the smaller tank above the pump allowed gravity to help as well. I had to fill the bowl a few times a crank the motor, but it eventually took. The consensus of what I read also said to make sure the fuel tank is full before switching back over for a smooth transition.