Lou was right.   I had plugged both fuel pump vacuum lines with rubber caps. As soon as I removed the outboard cap, the noise quit.  Problem solved for now.  Thanks!

The weak/broken spring never affected the performance of the pump. Cars ran fine, but sounded like a rod hammering.

Dave

Be forewarned that the FE fuel pump that has the fuel filter canister on its bottom will not clear the Thunderbird frame located directly under the fuel pump.  In that particular instance, use a FE pump that does not incorporate a built in fuel filter on its bottom.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks for the help.   I'm just happy the noise wasn't a bad cam or a rod knocking.  My car has the filter on the top of the engine.  Another UPS truck at my door?  What a surprise...    :>

    I believe this is the pump that I installed after getting my electric wipers. Hope this helps

   

 

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                                                   Airtex 4208 Mechanical Fuel Pump                                                               

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• Precision-cast units designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications
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I have the vacuum lines plugged and never noticed any noise





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Would the pump actually work if this was the situation? Or work incorrectly providing little fuel? 





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

The pump should have a spring that forces the pump arm to follow the eccentric. Sometimes the spring will break or get weak enough that the arm sort of floats. When that happens it will make a knocking sound because the eccentric is coming around and hitting the arm since it isn't in contact with it.

I've seen this many times over the years.

Dave 

Fuel pump with glass bowl filter on bottom won't fit on '55-'57 Bird because of interference with cross member. They relocated glass fuel filter bowl to top of the engine.

Because the pump is trying to suck vacuum but can't because the lines are plugged. Knock is the Vacuum diagram snapping back.