ttodhunter Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I'm about to install a new (to me) fuel tank in my stock '76 280z. I know from past experience and from the FSM that the fuel pump will not prime until the tank is nearly full. Is there any other way to prime the pump, such as pouring fuel down the line from the engine, or do I need to spend $70 on gas and have the possiblity of needing to empty it back out if something doesn't work? Any help is appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stravi757 Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I dont understand why you would need to fill the tank up. A few gallons should be enough. Ive drained my gas tank before and didnt have this problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannonball89 Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I've primed it with my mouth, take the feed line off the pump and suck till you taste fuel, then reattach quickly. Its not the healthiest way but it works. You could probably do it with one of those brake bleeding vacuum pumps too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben's Tuning Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 Easy way to do this. On an electric pump, jump the relay to turn it on. It just needs enough fuel to be past the reserve portion of the tank, a 5 gallon gas tank is MORE than enough. On my 280zx, my reserve is right at a gallon or so before it starts injesting a little bit of air with the fuel, but all you need is enough fuel to fill up to the baffling. Don't worry too much about it, just if the fuel pump sounds like it's running dry, pull the power offa it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I dont understand why you would need to fill the tank up. A few gallons should be enough. Ive drained my gas tank before and didnt have this problem. Had the same prime issue myself. I used a 1 gallon can fed to the pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttodhunter Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 I'll try with a few gallons and report back. Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Rag, Air Hose, Blowdown Nozzle. Pressure into tank of about 0.25psig will push whatever fuel you have up to the front of the car if it's disconnected... You could try blowing in the tank but I'm not Mick... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttodhunter Posted June 20, 2011 Author Share Posted June 20, 2011 I had noticed after washing the tank and drying with a hair dryer that it pushed water out of the pickup hose. But with actual fuel in the tank, I doubt that a hairdryer is a good idea. I'll try to improvise. Today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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