Chevrolet Repair: 1998 Chevrolet C1500, priming the pump, fuel pressure

Question
I have a 1998 Chevrolet pick up with a 305 (M) engine.  The thing has not started (starter turns engine over fine) for the last three mornings.  However, it has started each afternoon for the last three days.  I know that sounds strange but that is what it is doing.  On each day, after getting the truck to run, I have driven it around and it runs fine.  It also has been easy to start during the afternoon drives.  

The fuel pump is fairly new and it still sounds like it always has.  I have not check the fuel pressure.

I did replace the fuel filter just in case and that did not change anything.

When it does start, it turns over a few times and then is sounds like it is about to start a couple of times before is starts to run.  When it does start, there is no evidence of any smoke (any color) coming from the tail pipe.  

The weather has not been very cold over night the last few nights.  I would estimate that the low has been in the mid to high 30's F at the lowest.  The day time temps have been in the 60 - 70 F range.

Any ideas?


Answer
Hey,

 Hook a fuel pressure gauge up to it.  It has to be 55psi not 54 or 53, 55 or more.  The poppet injectors will not open unless there is 55.  Try priming the pump by cycling the key on and off a few times and see if that helps.  Give the tank a boot to jostle the pump.  I have had a rash of bad pumps lately myself that were brand new.

W