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Mar 9, 2002 | 03:31 PM

Indynick

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Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Detroit Area

Won't Start

I have smelled gas for a little while, on my 71 SB when I parked it, so it was no big surprise when I could not start it after stopping for gas. I assumed it was a bad fuel pump. I put in a new one, but still no start. I put in a new fuel filter. No start. I checked the pump output and the spark at the plug. They both look good. I pulled a plug, and it looks ok. It tries to start, but then dies. I got it to start once, by dumping some gas down the carburetor, but after about 45 seconds, it quit, when I got out of the car to look around. I can’t get it to do it again. Anybody have any ideas? :confused:

Mar 9, 2002 | 05:05 PM

73Ken73

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2001

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From: Peabody,MA,USA

Re: Won't Start (Indynick)

Are the floats stuck in you carb. When you push the gas does gas spray into the carb?

Mar 9, 2002 | 05:32 PM

Indynick

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From: Detroit Area

Re: Won't Start (73Ken73)

Yes, a little. Not a steady stream, just a small squirt. I usually see more. Is there a way to check the floats on a q-jet?

Mar 9, 2002 | 07:49 PM

lars

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado

Re: Won't Start (Indynick)

Indy -
I've never seen a Q-Jet needle suddenly decide to jam itself in the closed position and not allow fuel to enter the bowl. More likely is that you have a defective accelerator pump, so you're not getting an adequate pump shot to get the engine started.
On the other hand, if you can manually put some fuel down the carb and it's still not starting, you have some other engine problem going on (if I read your post right, you were able to get the engine to fire once after pouring some gas down it, but it won't fire again - is that right?). If you do not have any other engine problems, you should be able to put a small dash of fuel down the throat of the car and the engine will start. If it's not, you have either an ignition problem or a cam timing problem (t-chain). If you feed me a few more details I can help you troubleshoot it if you'd like.

Mar 9, 2002 | 07:57 PM

Indynick

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Instructor

Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Detroit Area

Re: Won't Start (lars)

I might have flooded it by putting more fuel in. I was going to pull all of the plugs and replace them. Then try the fuel shot again.

Mar 10, 2002 | 01:30 AM

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2000

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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS

St. Jude Contributor

Re: Won't Start (Indynick)

Might be better to give it a stiff shot of canned ether--won't flood it, and if it's got any start at all in it, that stuff'll light it up.

JB

Mar 10, 2002 | 01:44 AM

kenincanada

Racer

Joined: Jan 2002

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From: Victoria B.C. CANADA

Re: Won't Start (Indynick)

Rusty fuel line at the rear sucking air [just a thought]

Mar 10, 2002 | 07:59 AM

jerryp58

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Re: Won't Start (Indynick)

I could not start it after stopping for gas

It's probably not the case, but the same thing happened to my brother in his truck once because it had just rained and the gas station's fuel tanks got water in them. He drained the tank & used gas without water and it worked just fine.