Ford 3000 gas fuel lift pump, will it run without it? convert to gravity feed

[Larry48]

Just got my dad's Ford 3000 gas. He bypassed the fuel lift pump to try to convert it to a gravity feed system many years ago and I don't know if it ever ran this way. I know he had problems but I don't know what they were. I drained old fuel, replaced sediment assembly, rebuilt carburetor and it started and ran for about 10 seconds. It stopped and I haven't been able to get it started. The sediment bowl remains full but I still don't know if that is sufficient fuel to make the tractor operate properly. Any thoughts or ideas. It does have spark so ignition is not the problem. If I need to reinstall the fuel lift pump can I get the proper fuel lines bent properly to make it look original? I have called several used tractor parts sources in the internet and no one has the original fuel lines. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Larry48]

Answered my own question. I put a new fuel lift pump on it and it now runs. Really makes no sense that this did not run well using gravity feed. I guess Ford had a reason to use a fuel lift pump or they would not have put one on it. I understand however that this was an option.

 

[arto98607]

I agree, that pump is probably needed when running on uneven ground up or downhill with a partially filled tank.

 

[RickB]

Answered my own question. I put a new fuel lift pump on it and it now runs. Really makes no sense that this did not run well using gravity feed. I guess Ford had a reason to use a fuel lift pump or they would not have put one on it. I understand however that this was an option.

The fuel pump was standard equipment on all Ford 3 and 4 cylinder gas tractors built 1965 and later. The Holley carb requires positive fuel pressure for the tractor to perform as designed at full load and in all conditions.