1987 TBI fuel pump issue

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Jiblackledge

Jiblackledge

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2023
Posts
6
Reaction score
9
Location
Butte, Montana
First Name
James
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R20
Engine Size
350
I have a 1987 chevy R20 with the 350 TBI and dual tanks, the right tank fuel pump was bad, I ordered a new one and installed, drove the truck and during hard acceleration it seams as though it is not getting enough fuel, when I swap to the left tank it does not do that and I can get in it and it will accelerate with no issues, I'm wondering if the new fuel pump can not keep up and should I replace it with another. Aslo the truck is completly stock.
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,456
Reaction score
8,713
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Jiblackledge said:
I have a 1987 chevy R20 with the 350 TBI and dual tanks, the right tank fuel pump was bad, I ordered a new one and installed, drove the truck and during hard acceleration it seams as though it is not getting enough fuel, when I swap to the left tank it does not do that and I can get in it and it will accelerate with no issues, I'm wondering if the new fuel pump can not keep up and should I replace it with another. Aslo the truck is completly stock.
Click to expand...
Make sure none of the hoses got kinked or crimped,try running it with no gas cap. Post back.
 
Jiblackledge

Jiblackledge

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2023
Posts
6
Reaction score
9
Location
Butte, Montana
First Name
James
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R20
Engine Size
350
I did purchase a delphi pump and I was very careful to make sure the hoses were not kinked or crimped because the tank has to be dropped and I also lifted the bed off so that I could check the hoses after I put the tank back in. So this is why I'm a little confused. The left side no issue but the right side with new pump it has issues.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 
Redfish

Redfish

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2021
Posts
2,658
Reaction score
14,316
Location
Prairieville, LA
First Name
Andrew
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500
Engine Size
350/5.7
Is the switching valve working properly? They do go bad eventually.
 
Jiblackledge

Jiblackledge

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2023
Posts
6
Reaction score
9
Location
Butte, Montana
First Name
James
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R20
Engine Size
350
I think it is, it does switch back and forth between the tanks, and the truck does cruise when the right tank is chosen, its when I try to accelerate to pass or just want to get on it, it acts as if it is not getting enough fuel. How would I check the switch.
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,456
Reaction score
8,713
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Jiblackledge said:
I think it is, it does switch back and forth between the tanks, and the truck does cruise when the right tank is chosen, its when I try to accelerate to pass or just want to get on it, it acts as if it is not getting enough fuel. How would I check the switch.
Click to expand...
I hate to tell you this there is no easy diagnoses for this. You could have poor contacts in the switching,you could have a switching valve that leaks internally,you could have a bad connection at the tank or at the pump. First I think I'd wiggle my tank connections,then bypass the valve. Then I'd bypass electric switch to tank then I'd drop the tank and inspect for a bad connection,trash in the tank,a broken baffle.
 
G

gmbellew

Full Access Member
Joined
May 27, 2018
Posts
1,215
Reaction score
1,284
Location
Kansas city
First Name
glen
Truck Year
1990
Truck Model
suburban 1500
Engine Size
350
also check the fuel pressure on that pump....
 
R

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,456
Reaction score
8,713
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Jiblackledge said:
I did purchase a delphi pump and I was very careful to make sure the hoses were not kinked or crimped because the tank has to be dropped and I also lifted the bed off so that I could check the hoses after I put the tank back in. So this is why I'm a little confused. The left side no issue but the right side with new pump it has issues.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Click to expand...
gmbellew said:
also check the fuel pressure on that pump....
Click to expand...
Check pump pressure at the tank. A switching valve that's bypassing will show low pressure,but not the pumps fault
 
Jiblackledge

Jiblackledge

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2023
Posts
6
Reaction score
9
Location
Butte, Montana
First Name
James
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R20
Engine Size
350
Thanks for the advice, I'll give that a try and see what I get for pressure.
 
Rusty Nail

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
10,041
Reaction score
10,134
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
Yeah.Whack on it with a hammer.A little bit.

I'm Protecting The Community!
You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:
Jiblackledge

Jiblackledge

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2023
Posts
6
Reaction score
9
Location
Butte, Montana
First Name
James
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R20
Engine Size
350
Just a little update, I removed the shield from the selector switch, and it was leaking, so I have one coming and going to give that a shot before dropping the tank and changing the pump.
 
Jiblackledge

Jiblackledge

Junior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2023
Posts
6
Reaction score
9
Location
Butte, Montana
First Name
James
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R20
Engine Size
350
I changed the fuel tank selector valve and the problem is fixed, took the truck out for a test ride and no hesitation or stumbling, just press the accelerator pedal and it will get up and go. Thanks for the advice and I hope that this can help someone in the future.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

cbrown5385
Fuel pressure issue
Replies
1
Views
292
Ricko1966
R
cbrown5385
So I’m having an issue with fuel pump
Replies
6
Views
430
Ricko1966
R
R
Fuel pump pressure problem?
Replies
3
Views
559
squaredeal91
squaredeal91
Hunter_Michael
87' R10 TBI 350 shuts off when driving. HeLP
2 3 4
Replies
58
Views
5K
Olegmbuilder
O
beady
1987 454 TBI down on power, runs good otherwise
2 3
Replies
42
Views
3K
beady
beady

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,175
Posts
950,910
Members
36,292
Latest member
Bulldog99
Top