I'm planning on looking at an '85 with a bad fuel tank. Ad says it'll run on starter fluid, but I'd like to just bypass the tank and pull gas from a gas can to verify the car runs ok.

Has anyone done this on an '85? If the pump is external, and I think it is, I should be able to take the line from the fuel pump to the can and start the car.

 

You can get a inline fuel pump at any parts store like auto zone and connect it from a fuel hose to your gas can, to the high pressure side the fuel filter sits on. Bring a12v Battery and wire up the pump. And take the return hose and shove it back to the gas can. That should work

Usually this pump sits in auto zone where they sell the shiny stuff like spectra filters and elderbrock , gauges and such. And its red

 

the pump is under driver's side just forward of the rear wheel, directly under that bin area. disconnect the hose from the tank and attach a hose in it's place from a gas can. pump will draw gas from any container whether it be from the tank or a solo cup. it doesn't know the difference.