QuestionQUESTION: Hey Brad,
So my 65 T-bird has always started right up, one push on the gas pedal and a turn of the key and instant start up. I replaced the battery about a week ago and it was still starting great. I went and got some gas the other night, it started fine, drove it about 10 miles back to my house and replaced a few fuses trying to get the gauge lights to work. After installing the new fuses I started her and she ran for about 2 or 3 minutes then died. NOw she'll turn over but wont start up, Im stuck, any ideas????
ANSWER: For an engine to run it needs three things, spark, fuel, and compression. To check the spark, remove the center wire from the distributor cap and hold it by the insulator at least a couple of inches from the end, so that the end is about 1/4 inch from a good metal surface on the engine. Then have some one crank the engine. The spark should jump the gap and be a bright blue. If there is no spark than you will need to check the points, condenser, cap, rotor, and coil. If there is spark then remove the air filter. With a flash light look down into the carburetor bore and open and close the throttle. There should be a stream of fuel squirting out into the front two barrels. If there is no fuel then the carburetor, fuel pump,or fuel filter is suspect. If there is fuel then do a compression check on the engine with a compression gauge. The compression should be at least 125 pounds per square inch. Low compression could be and internal engine problem or a jumped timing chain.
Brad
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QUESTION: Thanks Brad,
I had actually checked everything before you wrote me back and come to realize that im not getting any fuel from the fuel pump. I went and bought a low psi electronic fuel pump and hooked it up to the hose going into my carburetor then fed an outlet hose into a bucket beside the tbird. Once i put the power wire to me positive post it took a second then steadily pumped fuel out into the bucket. What Im wanting to do is just go ahead and hook this electronic pump up for good because I don't have the time space or tools to get the stock pump out. The only thing is I worry about the steady stream of gas.... That stream gets blocked by the carburetor until I push the pedal though right? I know that sounds like a stupid question but I don't want to flood the motor. Also, whats the easiest way to get to the ignition power wires so I can hook the pump up to turn on when I turn my ignition key?
ANSWER: The pump must be connected to the ignition switch to be off when the key is off. Next the pump needs to be located under the car as close to the fuel tank as possible. It also need to be mounted as low on the frame as you can get it so that fuel will flow by gravity to the pump. Electric pumps are pushers while the mechanical pump on the engine is a puller.
Brad
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QUESTION: So is it not possible for me to install it after the mechanical pump??? If the mechanical pump isn't working properly and I install it near the tank behind the mechanical pump will it still push fuel through the mechanical pump?
AnswerThe problem with pushing the fuel through the mechanical fuel pump is that should the diaphragm in the pump rupture then the electric pump will fill the crankcase with gasoline. This can dilute the oil and cause one hell of an explosion and fire.
Brad
