New problem!!!
I just discovered the fuel pump is hemorrhaging fuel and it's hard to see the other side of the pump but with a mirror it looks like there's an open orifice on the back side of the pump and fuel is "splashing" out!

It's a 79' Dodge B300 Cargo Van with an LA 360 5.9L 2bbl carb. Engine...

In the picture, you can see halfway up the pump right above the round part on the back end of that odd shape in the casting, bottom left side of the image! The picture doesn't show the orifice but there's an orifice there and the fuel appears to be coming out of there! I can't see if it's threaded or not but I suspect there's supposed to be a bolt or some sort of plug in there??

I don't want to pull it off to check because I live really far from the store and I don't have a new gasket!
Hopefully it's just a bolt!

Just bite the bullet. Your new pump will come with a new gasket. Hope you have a way to get to the parts store other than the van.
Gas fires ain't no fun. Those vent holes are there so that a leaking diaphragm doesn't pump the oil pan full of gas before you realize there is a problem.

You can post here, order one online. Poof...2-3 days its there. Im ultra rural but one of the best things about the WWW. is its less hassle then If I had to drive across town even if I could.

Yup seen that before.there is a hole in the casting, if the diaphragm goes bad it'll leak just like yours is doing.

Smell the oil on the dipstick. If the diaphragm ruptures it can pump fuel into the crankcase and you will hurt the bearings. Change the pump and the oil and filter.

Dang! That sucks! Was hoping it was a quick fix but at least it's a cheap part!
It's like 40 miles to the nearest auto parts store and the reason I started driving my van is because the clutch in my truck is bad!!! I'll have to risk driving the truck! No choice!
Thanks for the help everyone!

Thanks! I'll check that!

I think I would call ahead and be sure that parts store has the fuel pump on the shelf before I would make the trip. If you are that far away, I would buy the pump on line and have it sent to you. I would also strongly recommend you plan to change the oil and oil filter along with changing the fuel pump.

I also would not drive it any more then you absolutely have to. Gas mixed into the motor oil can kill the bearings pretty fast. You really don't know how long it may have been pumping gas into the oil. .

That pump is dead, rupture diaphragm, replace it now before you catch your van on fire and loose it

I agree with all the above.

You may luck out but that diaphragm is going to get worse and you will end up stranded if you are lucky.

Or like cab said you could loose your van in a fire if you are not.

Can you amazon prime one to the house? Some stuff will get there same day or by 10am next day around here.

I keep an electric fuel pump in the garage for times when I need a quick fix and the pump isn't available local to me. Maybe look at an electric pump on amazon too.

Good luck

I lucked out! I have a friend driving up this way tomorrow and they'll be able to pick up that part for me and I'm going to meet them by the freeway! I already called and made sure the part is there and it is!
How would fuel get into the oil??? I checked it and it looks and smells fine...
I really don't want to spend the money but I'm due for an oil change anyway so I guess it would be a good idea to change it just to be on the safe side!

The lever on the back of the fuel pump extends into the inside of the engine and is pushed up and down by a lobe on the cam.

The back of the pump where the lever stick out is open to the crankcase. If the leak is bad enough instead of draining out the hole you see it dripping from, it may leak into the engine also.

Congrats on getting the part without driving and hopefully no gas in the oil.

No driving the van until the pump is replaced period! It's hemorrhaging fuel out of the pump like crazy!!! I'm lucky I made it home yesterday without catching fire!!!!! I guarantee a fire if I try driving it ten feet!!!
Amazon Prime??? Hah! Not where I live! I live on a cattle ranch 4 miles off the freeway with unmaintained dirt roads! I don't even have an address to my property or a house and money is an issue! So ordering parts online won't help get them to me because my mailbox is in the same area the parts store is, 40 miles away!!
Electric fuel pump huh? I may look into that if it's going to be a good backup but then again I may just buy another fuel pump if it's cheaper!
Thanks for the suggestion!

Yep, getting one tomorrow!

Interesting, thanks for explaining that! Lucky it didn't happen because the oil smells and looks fine, maybe a little dark but no fuel in it! I'll probably end up changing the oil and filter anyway, I think it's due!

Just as you never know I had a friend that had a Plymouth arrow that was leaking oil like crazy out of the valve cover. I replaced the gasket and didn't help.

Got lucky and stopped by the dealership and talked to a friendly mechanic he laughed and said you aren't going to believe this but it's the fuel pump. He was right when they went bad they would pump air into the crankcase.

Lol I would have never fixed it if it hadn't been for his kindness.