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Engine Won't Run

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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 03:13 PM
  #1  
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ledzep4788
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Default Engine Won't Run

Hi, I haven't been able to get my vette to start. It's a 1980 with an L48 and all stock. I checked and its not getting any fuel. I replaced the fuel pump which is a mechanical and I checked the lines for a clog but still no fuel is getting to the engine. I just recently bought this car and it had been sitting in the previous owners garage for over 2 years. Any suggestions? Thanks.
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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by ledzep4788
Hi, I haven't been able to get my vette to start. It's a 1980 with an L48 and all stock. I checked and its not getting any fuel. I replaced the fuel pump which is a mechanical and I checked the lines for a clog but still no fuel is getting to the engine. I just recently bought this car and it had been sitting in the previous owners garage for over 2 years. Any suggestions? Thanks.

My first thought is to make sure the arm of the fuel pump is sitting under the lobe on the cam and not over it. It's not hard to get that arm installed wrong, in which case I doubt it would work.

My next thought is the sock on the sender in the tank. See if you can get a view of the sock and see if it's clogged or wrapped up.
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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 04:45 PM
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First thing I would do is put a hose on the fuel supply line and blow back into the tank.
If you hear bubbles, lines aren't clogged and you have fuel.
If you can't blow, your problem is before the pump.
If you find the pump shaft is not driving the pump, put a little bearing grease on the end of the shaft
when you insert it to keep it from falling out as you bolt the pump on.
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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 05:01 PM
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Verify if you have a clogged line, or a plugged fuel filter. You could also remove the line from the tank at he fuel pump, keep your body out of harms way, and put your finger over the suction side of the pump. If you have no suction it is probably the fuel pump.


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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Dirtbuster1


Verify if you have a clogged line, or a plugged fuel filter. You could also remove the line from the tank at he fuel pump, keep your body out of harms way, and put your finger over the suction side of the pump. If you have no suction it is probably the fuel pump.


Suction is good!!
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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 06:45 PM
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If suction is good the fuel pumps working. Start tracing back to the fuel tank.

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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 06:54 PM
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From: Holtwood PA
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I go with blowing back through, if you don't hear it bubbling then start looking for breaks....however before you get too deep into tracing fuel lines.....A) make sure the return and feed lines are connected to the proper outlet ..they should be different sizes (return smaller) I know it sounds dumb, but bubba;s been everywhere...I've seen stranger. b) Check the rubber lines coming off the tank sending unit...you should be able to access them through the filler hole...if those are all ok then, you might be looking at a rotted fuel line along the frame.
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Old Oct 6, 2007 | 10:07 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by 10sec75
First thing I would do is put a hose on the fuel supply line and blow back into the tank.
If you hear bubbles, lines aren't clogged and you have fuel.
If you can't blow, your problem is before the pump.
If you find the pump shaft is not driving the pump, put a little bearing grease on the end of the shaft
when you insert it to keep it from falling out as you bolt the pump on.
Most if not all chevy engines have a hole at the front of the engine just in front of the pump that has a short bolt in it that serves as a plug. Take that bolt out and put a longer bolt in the hole. It goes all the way in against the push rod for the pump to hold the push rod in the up position until you install the pump, but make sure you take the long bolt out when you are finished and put the short bolt back in or it will be locking the push rod.
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