Accelerator Pump Issue-New 97s

Shoebox

Well-known member
I bought two New 97s from Uncle Max about 7 years ago, didn't need them at the time but I knew I would someday, and I remembered all I went through to get two originals working before. Well here I am all ready to fire the 276 in my '51 for the first time and...... I have no squirting going on in either carb, accelerator pumps not pumping. I have electric pump regulated to about 2.5, I believe the bowls have filled, looking closely I can see "dampness" of the top gasket. I'm not eager to remove carb tops, their still "virgin" but what else can I do? Could the pump leathers have dried out so much as to be unable to move gas? Suggestions most welcome. Thanks.
 

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yes, they could have, but they are often made of a rubberish plastic these days. so waiting for them to soften up could be futile.

anyway...just the other day i replaced the accelerator pump on my Holley 94. it turned out that the squirter nozzles were plugged up (their holes are very, very small, i removed and cleaned them with the aid of a small sewing needle and liberal use of carb cleaner) and the pressure that that applies to the pump every time the accelerator pedal is pressed does not do it any good. a thorough cleaning, a couple new gaskets from a rebuild kit, and a new accelerator pump did the trick.

the tiny check ball in the bottom of the accelerator tube shaft may have been stuck too, causing a vacuum strong enough to NOT allow the pump the return to its resting place.

having never owned an old Ford before, i was surprised at how simple it all was.

and yes, i removed the carburetor from the car, disassembled it completely, etc. why?, because i know that if i worked on it in the car, no matter what precautions i would've taken i'd end up dropping something down the throat and into the engine. :(
 
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Thanks for the response Huey, using a small syringe I put a small drop of Marvel Mystery at the point where the accelerator rod goes through carb top but I don't expect anything. I'll probably give it a day and see what develops. Still welcoming any other thoughts. Thanks.
 
The pump material should be leather. If the carbs sat for a long time, the leather may have dried up - no way to know. If these were mine, I'd pull the carb tops and inspect the accel pumps. You can then see the fuel level (making sure it is correct) and also manually pull the accel pump loose from the top and just push it down by hand into the accel pump well and see if it squirts the fuel out as it should.

The leather should expand when fuel soaks into it. You can also make sure the little spring is pushing on the leather, expand the edges of the leather a bit (if needed) and once it is really soaked, it should work.

The above is simple to do . . . and will trouble shoot any problems you may have.

Best of luck,
B&S
 
The pump material should be leather. If the carbs sat for a long time, the leather may have dried up - no way to know. If these were mine, I'd pull the carb tops and inspect the accel pumps. You can then see the fuel level (making sure it is correct) and also manually pull the accel pump loose from the top and just push it down by hand into the accel pump well and see if it squirts the fuel out as it should.

The leather should expand when fuel soaks into it. You can also make sure the little spring is pushing on the leather, expand the edges of the leather a bit (if needed) and once it is really soaked, it should work.

The above is simple to do . . . and will trouble shoot any problems you may have.

Best of luck,
B&S


Thanks for the input, will proceed as recommended.
 
I bought two New 97s from Uncle Max about 7 years ago, didn't need them at the time but I knew I would someday, and I remembered all I went through to get two originals working before. Well here I am all ready to fire the 276 in my '51 for the first time and...... I have no squirting going on in either carb, accelerator pumps not pumping. I have electric pump regulated to about 2.5, I believe the bowls have filled, looking closely I can see "dampness" of the top gasket. I'm not eager to remove carb tops, their still "virgin" but what else can I do? Could the pump leathers have dried out so much as to be unable to move gas? Suggestions most welcome. Thanks.
567828
 
Just following up a bit. As recommended, I removed a carb top, the accelerator bore was filled with gas as was the bowl. The leather on the pump had shrunk up, leaving the piston loose in the bore. I'll have 2 new pump assemblies here tomorrow, will assemble and hopefully have some squirt action.:)
 
Just following up a bit. As recommended, I removed a carb top, the accelerator bore was filled with gas as was the bowl. The leather on the pump had shrunk up, leaving the piston loose in the bore. I'll have 2 new pump assemblies here tomorrow, will assemble and hopefully have some squirt action.:)

Probably smart to start with fresh ones. If they shrunk that much, chances are soaking the old ones in oil may be bring them back fully.
 
I only see the leather cups in the old carbs I pull apart, never in a new kit. I prefer the leather for all the right reasons. When I rebuilt the carb for the foyota, all the landcruiser guys said to buy your kit from a certain vendor, but don't use their pump plunger. Buy a leather one seperately from this guy for 12 bucks. So I did. Do we have access to leather plungers for a 94?
 
I only see the leather cups in the old carbs I pull apart, never in a new kit. I prefer the leather for all the right reasons. When I rebuilt the carb for the foyota, all the landcruiser guys said to buy your kit from a certain vendor, but don't use their pump plunger. Buy a leather one seperately from this guy for 12 bucks. So I did. Do we have access to leather plungers for a 94?

The Stromberg series of pumps are still leather from Stromberg. Not sure about 94's. Maybe Charlie Price @ Vintage Speed?
 
Yes, Vintage Speed has leather accelerator pumps. Some like to bash him, but he has good parts. And there are plenty of folks who have had excellent service from him.
 
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