Trying to get my car running after a year parked up. Pinto on carbs. The fuel pump makes the normal loud clatter but no fuel appears at the filter by the engine and no pressure on the gauge. Is it likely a blocked pipe, or knackered pump? It doesn't sound quite right and sometimes stops clattering. Just don't want to change it and then findits something else! Is there an easy way to test for blocked pipes?

Ta.

I know it is obvious MT tank ? if not disconnect the pump inlet and if no fuel comes out blow it back to tank using foot pump orother low pressure air.
If that dosen't disconect pump outlet and carb inlet and blow back from carb end.

[Edited on 10/10/15 by britishtrident]

Air bubbles? Try siphoning some fuel through it...

Modern fuels are not stable. After a year parked up you may have corrosion of the pick-up pipe and gunk at the bottom of the tank. My tank (admittedly after standing somewhat longer) had heavy corrosion of the pick-up pipe and sender unit and the bottom of the tank was covered in some sort of filter-blocking muck.

Joel if it is a fuel pump from a bike then these are self regulating and will stop pumping fuel when the pressure is reached (around 5psi).

Is it possible to take the fuel pump off and run it on a bench with a couple of jars to see if it is the pump or the fuel system?

All good ideas thanks, I'll give it a go. Doesnt help that the car doesn't live at my house!

Well, in the interests of keeping the thread up to date, I shall confess. It's never been a good stater. I blamed the smoking engine earth, so changed all the big leads. Turned over better but that left us where the thread started, with no joy. Having seen a veritable fountain of fuel under the bonnet, fueling errors were soon discounted. Then I noticed 2 levers on the carbs, not connected to anything... That would be the choke, then. Fired up immediately.

Road trip is looking quite possible now! Off to Islay again next month.

Had twin 40's 45's for the best part of 20 years and never connected the choke levers. The cars started fine with 3 or 4 pumps of the throttle but they definitely started better when fitted with an electric pump instead if the standard Ford mechanical one.

Also had several Fords fitted with the progressive twin choke 32/36 type carb and after months of poor starting on one I disconnected the auto choke and took to pressing the throttle a few times before touching the key, perfect after that.

If set up correctly the chokes are not needed.