engine problem
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 729
Likes: 64
From: Florida
engine problem
It was running great then all of a sudden I can't get it to stay running. It will start idle then sputter and turn off. Can't get it to stay running to put it in gear. Have replaced fuel pump , rebuilt carburetor, changed coil and replaced distributer. Dwell is right on
Pat
Pat
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
You need to start from scratch and ask yourself a few simple questions. What's the very last thing you did before it started running badly? Did you do all the things you mentioned above before or after you started having problems? Is it a fuel delivery or electrical issue. When it fires up., have someone squirt some starter fluid down the carb. If it makes an improvement, it's fuel related. If it has no effect, most likely electrical. Did you rebuild the carb yourself? Is the problem at idle, midrange or WOT? A lot of questions you need to ask, and a more detailed description of the issue is needed if you're looking for advice.
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
OK, so, to be certain, it starts and dies. Starts and dies. Over and over.
Why did you replace the fuel pump? Was it tested and found to not deliver fuel?
If so, were the fuel lines and filters including the pick-up sock in the tank checked, tested?
Why did you rebuild the Carburetor? Just throwing parts at a problem? You replaced the distributor, Why? How do the basics check out? Spark plug condition and color? Compression readings? Fuel flow from the tank? Fuel delivery after the pump? Are you somehow losing voltage to the distributor right after start up? Early systems have start voltage and lower run voltage, this has been checked?
So, I'm asking, other than just throwing parts at the problem, what if any trouble shooting have you actually done?
Why did you replace the fuel pump? Was it tested and found to not deliver fuel?
If so, were the fuel lines and filters including the pick-up sock in the tank checked, tested?
Why did you rebuild the Carburetor? Just throwing parts at a problem? You replaced the distributor, Why? How do the basics check out? Spark plug condition and color? Compression readings? Fuel flow from the tank? Fuel delivery after the pump? Are you somehow losing voltage to the distributor right after start up? Early systems have start voltage and lower run voltage, this has been checked?
So, I'm asking, other than just throwing parts at the problem, what if any trouble shooting have you actually done?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 729
Likes: 64
From: Florida
Carb was rebuilt a while ago just to freshen it up. Fuel pump was replaced when it went bad distributer was replace same time as fuel pump because it was worn. Timing and dwell were set at that time. Was running good then started like a miss or sputter (only way I can describe it) which led to where it's at now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Well, let's get the rare, weird & crazy chit out of the way first. I love this old story.
Few years back on this forum, same scenario as yours Pats67. Would not stay running.
Owner said took the car to a carwash. No big deal, right?
Started running horrible, limped it all the way home.
Someone said, shine a light in the gas tank. Water on the bottom !
H-m-m-m-m. How did that happen?
Long story short. Drain hose at the gas tank filler area was plugged. Gas cap was flooded. Water got under the cap and in.
Few years back on this forum, same scenario as yours Pats67. Would not stay running.
Owner said took the car to a carwash. No big deal, right?
Started running horrible, limped it all the way home.
Someone said, shine a light in the gas tank. Water on the bottom !
H-m-m-m-m. How did that happen?
Long story short. Drain hose at the gas tank filler area was plugged. Gas cap was flooded. Water got under the cap and in.
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 729
Likes: 64
From: Florida
Well, let's get the rare, weird & crazy chit out of the way first. I love this old story.
Few years back on this forum, same scenario as yours Pats67. Would not stay running.
Owner said took the car to a carwash. No big deal, right?
Started running horrible, limped it all the way home.
Someone said, shine a light in the gas tank. Water on the bottom !
H-m-m-m-m. How did that happen?
Long story short. Drain hose at the gas tank filler area was plugged. Gas cap was flooded. Water got under the cap and in.
Few years back on this forum, same scenario as yours Pats67. Would not stay running.
Owner said took the car to a carwash. No big deal, right?
Started running horrible, limped it all the way home.
Someone said, shine a light in the gas tank. Water on the bottom !
H-m-m-m-m. How did that happen?
Long story short. Drain hose at the gas tank filler area was plugged. Gas cap was flooded. Water got under the cap and in.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 1,949
From: Temple Terrace Florida
What year car? What engine? How long does it run before it dies? Have you looked down the carb when it dies to see if there is fuel being pumped down into the throat? On the fuel side it could be a clogged fuel filter in the tank, in the fuel line or in the carb. The "new fuel pump" could be bad. If you are getting ample fuel. Disconnect the out port of the fuel line at the pump and crank the engine, is fuel coming out? If so, connect a stranded wire to the positive side of the battery to the positive side of the coil. If the engine stays running, you have an electrical problem with the ignition switch, wiring etc. As mentioned above, have you checked the timing with a gun? Report back. Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
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Many Years go - I was driving to see some friends. I had a SBC powered Camaro - when I got off the highway and came to a traffic light the car died. Couldn't figure out what it was. It seemed to be running just fine up to that point. Finally got it restarted, and it ran Horribly. Got to my friends place, let it cool down, and took a look - Carb and Ignition seemed fine. I couldn't really afford a tow home - so I took the heads off the car, and everything looked fine. I poured liquid carb cleaner into each combustion chamber, and one chamber leaded a bit. I flipped the head over, and when I pushed on each valve spring - one moved.
I had broken a valve spring - but the break was hidden by the big umbrella like rotator on the valve. Replaced the valve spring, reassembed and everything ran fine.
The odds it's a valve spring are low - but those springs are at least 40 years old... Might be worthwhile checking.
I had broken a valve spring - but the break was hidden by the big umbrella like rotator on the valve. Replaced the valve spring, reassembed and everything ran fine.
The odds it's a valve spring are low - but those springs are at least 40 years old... Might be worthwhile checking.
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check your fuel pressure, check your timing
make sure your advance works
make sure the carb bolts and the intake bolts are all tight
consider rebuilding the carb
make sure your advance works
make sure the carb bolts and the intake bolts are all tight
consider rebuilding the carb
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
I like what nwav8tor was saying. Do you understand that? When the key is turned to the start position to engage the starter motor, it bypasses the balast resister which does not limit current to the coil. Once you turn the key back to the run position, current to the coil is reduced since it has to flow through the resistor. A quick check would be to run a jumper over the resister and see if it makes a difference.
