Hi, I had ordered the fuel pump rebuild kit for my carter fuel pump as described on here. I installed it and it didn't pump after rebuilding because the spring stayed compressed the entire time. I had taken it back apart again, the diaphragm is okay, but here are my questions, is it supposed to be really stiff to move? and are the holes in teh diaphragm supposed to match exactly that of the upper housing? because it doesn't and I have to bend the corners of the diaphragm to get the screws in, I just want to know if I'm doing this right.

Stiff to move: Yes, very!

You have to do the assembly in the right order. Put the diaphragm in the main casting, install the lever arm, install the lever arm pivot pin and damper spring, then put the assembly in a vise so as to squeeze the lever arm, pulling the diaphragm down into the main casting (compressing the spring and lining up the holes), then Install the air dome onto the valve body then install the valve body/air dome assembly onto the main body. Cross-tighten all the screws (tighten 12:00, then 6:00, then 3:00, then 9:00, etc...in pairs directly across from each other). Then remove the assembly from the vise and

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I dont get why the air dome is listed last(if that is the top part) because the screws that hold it on are inside the the top half of the pump assembly.

One of the things I didn't realize, because I've never done this before, is the valves are supposed to move, I didn't know that so I just made sure they didn't come out, because I didn't see what would keep them in if they were able to move.

Having remedied that, I couldn't feel suction on the vice when put together, so I put it on the car, I don't have the out line hooked up yet, but I did feel light suction, is it supposed to be very light suction on the finger?

Durr, because I skipped breakfast and my blood sugar was low. You're right. Air dome onto the valve body first.
Yup.

Did you redo the rest of the assembly?
Not a good sign. Should be strong suction when the lever arm is compressed. Easier to check for pressure: Compress lever arm, put finger firmly over output port, release lever arm. Should be strong pressure on finger.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I only redid the top part of the assembly, because I don't see how I could have gotten the diaphragm/arm assembly wrong. So, its supposed to have very strong suction? I don't get what I could be doing wrong then, I did try as best as I could to compress the spring, with arm up, its not an easy task at all, its very hard to keep up and put a screw in.

If you did not compress the spring (by squeezing the lever arm in a vise) before installing the valve body, you did not get it right.
Vise. Vise. Vise. Shall I say it a dozen more times? Vise! It's not optional.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Goood 'vice Lucy!

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

I used the vice! I couldn't maintain keeping the lever up though! Like I said, its a very hard to compress spring!

If you couldn't maintain the arm in the compressed position with the vise, the vise is broken or not big enough or not being used right.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

OHHHHH, I just re-read what you wrote, Was I suppose to use the vice to push the lever up and hold it for me?

YEP!

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I haven't put it on the car yet, I took it back off and redid the diaphragm with the vice pushing up the arm, and the spring compressed, I dont know why I didnt get that the first time, but this time, it was a cinch to install, and I used the vice to actuate the lever and hooked up a clear line of gas, and I can see it move in the pump, way more than it was!! Thanks dan!!

uncle d- old fuds like you and me should know better than to skip breakfast. especially a sage canuk like you. you could have oatmeal and some of that nice thick canadian bacon crispy. as a po americano i can only afford the oatmeal. remember rebuilding this pump once back in 72. just like you said but my vise was too small. used a long arm wood clamp to compress the lever while i lined up the screws. next time think ill buy a rebuilt cardo from pep boys. was $7 back in 72. on another note ,how the hell are you? you never showed up for that gin rickey. maybe this winter when the weather is stinko up north. fat regards bob f