Fuel Pump

Why do you suspect the fuel pump.  Have trouble with it before?  Do you have ECM??

The ECM on the '81 only controls idel fuel mixture and timing, so I wouldn't be suspecting a problem with the little black box for a no start.
You could have a bad pump, or a filter that has stopped up, either at the carb, or the "sock" in the tank.
You can check fuel pump output by taking the fuel line loose from the carb, and running some rubber hose from there into a fuel-safe container, Check the flow while cranking. You can also put a fuel pressure gauge(if you have one) on the line while it's off, and check actual pressure.
If you have good flow there while cranking, the float in the carb may be stuck, or the filter in the fuel inlet to the carb may be completely stopped up.
You say you saw no fuel in the carb, but were you working the throttle when you looked? The accelerator pump will squirt fuel when you work the throttle, but if you're just looking down in there, with the engine not running, you won't see anything.
hth

Hey I did work the throttle and no fuel squirt. You might be right about some filter stop up. The car did set for about 10 years. A carb rebuild was on my list of things to do. I did drop the tank and replace the fuel sender so that part should be good. Where do I go for a diagram to show me were the filters are to check? I would like to pin point the problem. I will check the fuel pump today to see if it has some flow.

Your car only has the filter in the carb.  Disconnect the fuel line at the carb, and test as Adam described.  If no fuel, try pressurizing the tank through the filler, which will show if the lines are clear.  Next is probably the fuel pump, which wouldn't be surprising after 10 years.  If the fuel pump tests OK, pull the fuel filter, and tap the carb in case the float is stuck.

Larry

Here's a update. Dskopp and I replace the fuel pump and the engine did not start. It seems to us the fuel is not getting to the pump. A few months back I drop the tank and replace the fuel sender so thats good. We put the compressor up the fuel line at the pump and blew it. We herd the air at the fuel neck but no bubbling yes there is gas in the tank?  Any idea's?

A leak in the rubber hose from the tank pick-up could cause the pump to not be able to pick up the fuel. You might try pressurizing the the tank a little to see if fuel will run to the pump...

Hey thanks for the response. I will try to pickup something from Napa and check the tank.

I wil bet you that if you rebuild the carb all your problems will go away.  If it has never been done, I would suggest doing it (rebuild the carb).  After I had mine done I am having no problems whatsoever!!

Yeah, but....a new carb ain'ta gonna werk iffin there ain't no fuel gettin to it anyway, eh?
Not sayin the carb doesn't need some attention, but the problem as I unnerstand it, is there's no fuel at the pump...