First... is never time for an electric fuel pump on an Essex. The vacuum tank is usually trouble free and works as it was designed for just about ever. Vacuum tanks use engine vacuum all the time to run. If you close off the ports and get rid of the tank you will make the engine run a bit rich...gas mileage, valves and rings will suffer a bit from the change. It’s not the end of the world but with the original system so dependable, why risk it?

Try this, remove the fuel line from the vacuumed tank and make sure there are no leaks . Then fill up the vacuum tank through the inlet, re-attach the fuel line. Now start the car and check to make sure there ar no vacuum leaks around the manifold, around the fittings to the vac tank or in the line.

If this doesn’t work, let me know and we can move to the next step

These things, for some reason don’t like to sit empty. If they do, they will suck up a load of fuel and then run dry after the tank full is depleted. Then you fill them up and they work again fine. I really think it ie the top gasket dries out when not in use and then swells up ad seals once it gets wet for splashing or filling again

Hi Lewis
Thanks for the quick reply.
I agree with your view on the electric pump and really don't want to change because everything I've read including your post says these units just run forever. But I've tested every seal, and pipe fitting, and cant see anything that makes me think I have a pressure leak that would destroy the the vacuum in the primary tank. I can easily suck fuel through the fuel pipe without effort (getting quite a taste for it ;o), and can feel good suction coming from the manifold.
Is it not possible that one of the valves inside has stuck or some dirt is preventing their proper operation?

I have fixed these Vac tanks with success several times. There are several things that can cause it to not pull the fuel up to the vac tank. The vent valve in the cover can get stuck or clogged, the flap on the bottom of the inner tank may be stuck closed or not sealing properly when the vac is applied to the tank. If you have not had the top off yet, I would start there. There are 2 springs that make it function that can break also.

Tom

My fathers 24H had driveablilty issues once, the fuel tank had a lot of rust in it and a large flake would intermittently cover the pickup tube in the tank.

Hi Tom
Thanks for the advice, I have now opened it up and I'm pretty sure it was dirt preventing the drop valve at the bottom of the vac tank that was not sealing properly as you suggested. I just need some new gasket material to complete the job now. Hopefully it will be good for another 92 years then ;o)
Dave