Ok, it's going again. Thanks to everyone who replied,
the information was helpful.

 My initial diagnosis of the fuel pump failure was
correct.  However, I wasted time because I installed a
used fuel pump from a van I had that was in working
order when removed.  Since it made no difference, I
assumed that something else must be wrong.
 After reading the reponses, I spent more time on it
last night.  I compared the fuel pump (while running)
to my 90 van and it was instantly obvious that both
pumps were bad for my other van.  The orignal pump was
stuck, and was not able to get any pumping action from
it.  I was able to get the spare pump unstuck by
taking Mike S's advice and rapping on it with a
hammer. it did not damage the housing but after 3 or 4
hits it was spinning freely.  It must have set up from
sitting?
  I beleive Stan is correct that these are vane pumps.
As far as running them in reverse, in short bursts I
don't believe it does any damage, but longer bursts
would certainly damage the vanes. I regularly use vane
type vacuum pumps at work and they have the same
disclaimer about reverse running.
 The fuel pumps are crimped into a casing and are not
serviceable..

Thanks again for the advice,

Matt Faust

--- Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
> Don't let it bother you Mike!
> I've been told that the VW pump will produce 120
> psi, I've never seen one
> that would go over 67 psi and hold it for long.
> There are a few Ford trucks and older VW Rabbits /
> Jetta's that use the same
> pumps but I've never found any in wrecking yards
> .......... actually never
> looked very hard.
>
> Stan Wilder
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Pedersen" <mikeped@SHAW.CA>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 2:25 PM
> Subject: Re: testing a fuel pump (long)
>
>
> > Of course Stan is right..  It would be a vane
> pump... fuel
> injection...duh.
> >
> > I humbly step down from my soapbox...
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >   ----- Original Message -----
> >   From: Stan Wilder
> >   To: Mike Pedersen ; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >   Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 12:21 PM
> >   Subject: Re: testing a fuel pump (long)
> >
> >
> >   Before everybody gets all wound up in this pump
> thing.
> >   Most Auto Manufacturers have gone to proprietary
> fuel pumps that fit in
> the gas tank.
> >   The VW pump uses a vane type pump similar to the
> works in an impact
> wrench and has check valves to prevent back flow.
> >   True VW charges a lot for them but most times
> they last 20+ years.
> >   My 76 Porsche uses the same pump as a Vanagon
> and it's still a churnin'
> after 29 years.
> >   I've had the Bendix, GM, ATE (Fiat) and other
> pumps but never found the
> quality of the Bosch in them.
> >
> >   Stan Wilder
> >     ----- Original Message -----
> >     From: Mike Pedersen
> >     To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM ; Stan Wilder
> >     Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 1:41 PM
> >     Subject: Re: testing a fuel pump (long)
> >
> >
> >     From my days when I owned beater English cars,
> I took a few fuel pumps
> apart to fix.  They were $100 cars...  and heck it
> is just a positiveish cars, I took a few fuel pumps
> apart to fix.  They were $100 cars...  and heck it
> is just a positive

=====
Matt Faust
'84 Wolfsburg Weekender "Moby"
'63 Westy SO-33 Sub-hatch "Rusty"

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