Bad fuel pump??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 149
Likes: 46
From: Lake Worth Florida
Bad fuel pump??
OK, after a brake rebuild and a broken rocker ive been trying to sort out the car. When the car warms after 5 or so miles, it just quits. After sitting on the road for twenty or so minutes it will crank and I can limp home. The thought was ignition so I replaced everything. It still quits. On the last stranding, when I got it to start I noticed the air in the fuel filter. Is the problem a bad fuel pump? I hope so as I’ve got a new one on the way. What say you folks?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 211
Likes: 20
From: Raleigh NC
I recently installed my new Edelbrock carb and clear fuel filter that came with it. When I was breaking in my cam (2000-25000 rpms) the fuel filter was pretty much full. When the car sits I notice the filter is 1/2 fuel and 1/2 air. Mine always starts right up and I believe the filter fills a little after starting but at idle and a little above the filter is not completely full.
Last edited by 2airtime2; Nov 5, 2017 at 07:06 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Mine did almost the thing. I was thinking fuel pump. Turned out to be the mechanical fuel pump push rod was seizing up. Car would sit for 10-20 minutes and it worked fine for a few miles then stop again.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 149
Likes: 46
From: Lake Worth Florida
This is EXACTLY what I am seeing. I’ll check it when I replace the mechanical fuel pump. 👍
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
Duane
,
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,528
Likes: 6,990
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
It's a long shot but:
If you are sure the distributor (points or HEI) is good......attach a voltmeter to the power wire at the distributor connection. When cranking the voltage would drop to 4v. After 20 minutes the voltage would vary between 13v down to 4v at the connection.
Points system is a different voltage but should remain constant with engine running
Several problems were happening at the same time:
The mechanical fuel pump was allowing the fuel to drain away from the carb.
Also, the fuel in the carb was boiling causing a dry bowl after shutdown.
If you are sure the distributor (points or HEI) is good......attach a voltmeter to the power wire at the distributor connection. When cranking the voltage would drop to 4v. After 20 minutes the voltage would vary between 13v down to 4v at the connection.
Points system is a different voltage but should remain constant with engine running
Several problems were happening at the same time:
The mechanical fuel pump was allowing the fuel to drain away from the carb.
Also, the fuel in the carb was boiling causing a dry bowl after shutdown.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,864
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Arkoland,
Lots of good advice here which leaves you plenty of things to check out. I don't want to muddy the waters here but does Florida have ethanol gas like we do here in California? We have been having a shitload of trouble with the vintage carburated cars, fuel pumps, rubber hoses, etc.
Lots of good advice here which leaves you plenty of things to check out. I don't want to muddy the waters here but does Florida have ethanol gas like we do here in California? We have been having a shitload of trouble with the vintage carburated cars, fuel pumps, rubber hoses, etc.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 149
Likes: 46
From: Lake Worth Florida
Well, the learning curve continues. I’ve a complete 3 piece stainless fuel pipe assembly, AC Delco fuel filter and a new fuel pump ready to install. When looking deeper at the fuel lines I found this knotty issue. Yep, the fuel return line isn’t connected and just tied in a knot. So for you engine gurus, when I properly install the factory fuel system do you think the engine loosing power and quitting will be cleared up?
