Vintage Cars: Car wont start, fuse boxes, corrosive liquids

Question
Hi Ron. I left a 1970 250C sit for a year due to a gas leak. As it turned out it was coming from the upper seal of the fuel pump. I fixed it and also cleaned all sorts of connections. Did everything from recharging battery to pouring gas directly into hose that leads to carbs as well as replacing plugs and fuel filter. Starter turns like crazy but car won't start. It twice did try cause not only did it engage the engine, but I also saw smoke come out of the exhaust, which tells me it "ran the loop" for a couple of seconds. Yet as I came to notice I broke the fuel pump flange and gas was leaking big time. Could this be the reason or the fact that I removed the cables that lead to three little black fuse boxes and I'm not sure I re-connected them correctly? I'm trying to find a new flange for mine is now broken in two pieces. Lastly, is the flange made from heat resistant material or may I make one out of acrylic or some other material?        Thanks. Al

Answer
Hello Al

Make sure your positive ground of the battery is in good condition and grounding properly, next check for spark, if those two things are good then check fuel delivery

sounds like you were sucking too much air or too much fuel or both!


Then after cranking pull a plug - wet ?  dry?

are you sure it is getting gas, sitting for a year can be tough on fuel lines and screens

the flange is heat and resistant to corrosive liquids like oil and gas.  IF you have a product that meets those specs then  you would be OK\
Let me know what you find out
Ron