ok heres the deal,
i have an 87 corvette and ill start it and its stays started for like not even 10 seconds and ill push the gas to try to keep it running and it dies unless i let off the gas then it runs strong for like 1 second then its dies....
and i wish she would work better but i need some info on anything that could fix this... thank you

 

There are two very invaluable C4 tools you should get immediately.
1) Factory Service Manual ( $45~$100 :: New from Helm Inc., used from eBay, CF for sale section)
2) Fuel pressure guage. ($25~$45)

A fuel pressure guage will attach to the schrader valve on the passenger side of the fuel rail and with that you can see if the fuel pump is pressurizing the fuel rail when you turn the key to on, but prior to starting the engine. No fuel = no go = possible fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pump relay problems. It will also give you an idea on whether or not the pressure is correct. Low pressure = poor or no running and indicates fuel pump or regulator problems.

 

One other thing-get a digital ohm meter.

 

A car needs fuel air and spark to run but at a precise amount and time. Apparently your car is starving for one of these. Once you figure it out it will be ALOT easier to fix and be cheaper and possibly prevent other problems. Keep us posted.

 

ok so i went out and tried to start it like an hour ago ~results~
it starts for like not even 2 seconds now and it makes a weird noise before it shuts down like i cant explain the sound sorta like an engine that is straining like its got too much load or not enough power~
ok so that whats i got to work off of right now and ill will try to check the fuel pump and spark plugs and distributor for loose wire and/or leaks
because that free and i cant go anywhere anyways
-like a buzzing sound-

 

Some how you're gonna have to get yourself a fuel pressure guage-about $35. it easily connects to the schrader valve (kinda looks like the valve you put air into the tire) located on the fuel rail towards the back on the passenger side-you get that far and maybe we can help.

 

You have received a mountain of good advise. I would suggest a first step of extracting any trouble codes. You can use your new FSM to tell you how, what they mean, and for the trouble shooting charts to track down and correct the problem. You WILL need the use of a DVOM (Digital Volt-Ohm Meter) for the trouble shooting phase.

RACE ON!!!

 

ok i will get a fuel pressure gauge and tell you the psi so you guys can tell me wut it supposed to be ok?
Thank a bunch

 

Let us know hen you get it and we can help you through.

 

ok i fixed the problem and it had nothing to do with your inputs but thanks for your help any ways umm hte actual prob. was the FP relay and i used the haynes tech manual to troubleshoot the FP.
and that was the ultimate prob. fixing price was $17.48 @ advanced auto parts so if your fuel pump doesnt work or your car doesnt start for more than the cold start gives it just check your electrical flow diagrams and go from there....
thanks for all your helps and i found out that the owner before me crossthreaded the spark plugs on my aluminum heads so i must replace those now
but all is well

 

Well-I HOPE your problem is fixed! However, a FP relay only pressurizes the system for the first few seconds, if the FP relay is bad your engine will still start after oil pressure reaches approx. 4 pounds.And the engine should not shut down because of a bad FP relay.Really, I hope it's fixed-but I have an idea you have other problems.On your other problem-cross thread(s), you may want to remove the heads and heli coil them.

 

Seems Mike said this in your first response. He suggested you get a guage, you chose to just replace a part. Often when the proper test equipment is unavailable, you need to wing it and going with the cheapest, easiest to replace component that is likely to be the problem is better than blindly throwing parts at the problem, but it will never be a substitute for actual troubleshooting. Glad you're going now, but I also agree with Rick, you may still have a problem. It is a problem I've seen quite a few times due to the redundant Fuel Pump power supply used on these cars. If the Fuel Pump Relay is working correctly, the Oil Pressure Switch goes unnoticed. If the Fuel Pump Relay fails and the Oil Pressure Switch is working, folks just think they have a minor slow start problem. What I've seen five or six times is that the Oil Pressure Switch has been bad for years and it never gets noticed because the Fuel Pump Relay is working normally. When the Relay final gives up, people immediately think, it must be the pump, because the pump should run once oil pressure get above 4psi if it was the relay. On the cars I work on, I test annually. Turn key to on to prime fuel system, turn key off, disconnect Fuel Pump Relay, start car. If it starts and continues to run, the Oil Pressure Switch is good. Call me **** as the Switch could still fail at any time, but, once a year, I know it's working!

Oh, and Jim, Many thanks for you service to our country.

 

thank your for ur help and thank you for supporting the military

 

Thanks for the reminder Ray. I was going to take offense to his comment, but his being an FCSN gave me pause. We have to allow for youth and dedication to country.

I believe that FCSN is Fire Controlman Seaman, which evolved from Fire Control Technician Gun (FTG) and Missile (FTM). I spent my time stationed at the Pearl Harbor Sub Base and went from FTGSN to FTG2 before I left the Navy.

Glad to hear that your Corvette is running better 87~C4~Driver. It's good to meet an American who knows the virtue of national service and has what it takes to make a pot of Navy coffee. Go NAVY.

 

Mike, my High School Electronics Instructor was a retired FTGCS. I thought I remembered an FTB too from my Boomer days. Of course that was a looong time ago.
Oh, and Seaman doesn't always mean youth. I knew guys busted to seaman from first class, some more than once! But I believe you're right Mike; Jim is most likely a hard working young sailor, proudly serving his country. I consider myself lucky in my current profession to get the privilege of working with the brave men and women of our armed forces.
Back in '78 my license plate read GONAVY, it was even in the "Navy Times". Wish I had those days back.

Take care and stay safe.

 

Ray, what an excellent plate! You are right, I forgot about the FTBs on the boomers. We usually worked on fast attack boats with the FTGs, but you could have an FTG and an FTB on the big boomer boats. The fast attack guys talked about going to war, the boomer guys talked about destroying the world. Really different missions and attitudes. I worked on Boomer #1, the George Washington at one point. I wish I had those days back too.

You're right about an SN potentially being a busted E6. We had just such a guy retire from my shop. He did 8 years in the Army and 24 years in the Navy. Retired as an E6 FTG1. Great sailor who got busted a LOT in his early years. Got the letter that he make the selection for Chief and went out partying to celebrate for 3 days in the middle of the work week. The Command pulled his recommendation and he never put on the Chief's hat. Cost him big time in retirement pay. Sailed on the Nautilus when she made the first pass under the Pole. He was in a picture is in the book about it. Eight red longevity stripes on his dress uniform. Full Commanders came by to shake his hand at retirement.

On days when things get rough I remind myself that somewhere there is an American far, far from home who is facing hardships a lot tougher than mine so that I and my family can wake up free in the morning. Glad to know that you're still helping the home team.

It's the land of the Free, but it's the Home of the Brave.

 

that is correct i am a Fire Controlman and i will be deploying in september to the gulf(iraq area) and who knows but my vette will be safe in storage....
well thank you all who support the military and the proud members in this great organization