I have acquired a '78 Ford Ranger f250 that is hard to start after sitting for a few days. All the gas is gone & takes forever to fill lines. New fuel pump & filter. Does gas siphon back to tank normally? Very inexperienced & need advice. What can I do?

 

Real common problem was for the 'power valve' below the fuel/float bowl to rupture the vacuum diaphram and the contents of the float bowl drains into the intake manifold.. It not only drains the carb, but also can make for a flooded start condition that usually takes some extended cranking to clear the flood, as well as refill the the bowl. The power valve is available by itself, unless you'd rather kit the carb.. It can be replaced un- bolting and lifting the carb up to access the small squared cover (4 screws) located between the idle mixture screws.. Good way to tell if its bad is to wait a day or so with the air cleaner off and shine a light into the carb looking just below the choke plate.. Pump the throttle by hand rapidly and the accelerator pump won't squirt any fuel.. It picks up its supply from the filled bowl as well...

 

Thanks. Is it normal for the fuel in the supply line to the carb to drain back through the fuel pump? I can watch the fuel drain out of the in line filter after the engine is turned off.