Fuel pick

[Javed]

Hi, new member so apologies for any naive assumptions.
I've got 77 HPE and a 76 Coupe, having trouble with fuel pick up and therefore starting. Both have mechanical pumps.
I
Are mechanical pumps prone to failure or should I convert to an electric pump?

Thanks

Javed

[HFStuart]

The diaphragms can rupture on the mechanical pumps but also the various filters can clog easily. I'd check the mesh filters on the tank pick-up and any in line filters. Then I'd investigate the pumps.

NB Is this cold starting or hot starting?

[Javed]

Thanks, cold starting, neither is mot'd trying desperately to get the HPE ready. It had been starting up fine every weekend until I booked it for it's not. Now it's blowing the wiper circuit fuse and has the fuel pick up issue.
I'll look at the filters and swap the fuel pumps over to see if makes any difference.

Thanks again

[Leo HPE 1979]

try this wth cold start.
push in gastrottle one time..... you activate the automatic choke
saty of the gasthrottle further.
When it is starting, that is the way
Otherwise change the diafram in the weber carburetor.

My experiance is. it is never the mechanical pump or a filter. Its tehe caruretor

[Javed]

Hi and thankyou to the advice offered by all.
Saved myself the cost of a fuel pump, car is running great and it's now mot'd so it is definitely now my daily drive.
I would upload some pictures but I can't seem to figure out how to do it.
just another three to put back on the road!

Javed

[HFStuart]

Good news indeed. What was the problem?

[Javed]

Hi , not quite sure what fixed the problem, we simply cleaned all the fuel lines right through to the fuel tank and it now appears ok, been nearly 5 days without any problem.
We did think that fuel was leaking back down the fuel line from the fuel pump, perhaps the fuel pump diaphram may have been leaking and did consider putting a non return valve in to help this issue, which we will do if the problem resurfaces, but for now it's just a lovely feeling to fire up the old twin cam and go to work every day.