258 fuel pump not pulling fuel

[Essenjeep]

My AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l is not pulling or pumping fuel. I have replaced the fuel pump. I've got the fuel line disconnected at the filter and can get no gas to move.

I checked the fuel lines. have not dropped the tank. did a yr or 2 ago for fuel float/sender replacement.

I 'engineered' a setup w/ a shop vac (use #42 LOL) and can get fuel from the tank that way. would that not say my line and sender are good?

What the heck could be my issue. If familiar with the Hanes repair manual it gives a procedure for testing the pump. disconnect and ground the distributor wire etc. crank engine and fuel should flow, if not bad pump, tried a different one with the same issue. no fuel movement.

Pls help. my baby is sick.

 

[Torxhead]

If you have cracks in your fuel line from the tank, you will have problems there. Opening up the gas cap will allow air in and make sure there is no vacuum in the tank to prevent flow. You should make sure there is fuel up to where the inlet line from the tank comes in, this is usually done by siphoning sometimes with a pump and not with a shop vac. Hopefully you installed a filter sock with that new sender assembly. There should be enough fuel in the carb to get the engine started and the pump working, but sometimes a shot of fuel or starting spray will get the pump working when the engine starts. when you installed the pump, you should have noticed the fuel pump arm pressing against the cam lobe in the engine.