Help me diagnose a problem

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by lippy

Hey Gents,

I took my car out two weeks ago to lunch (Alice's!) and when I got back in the car after lunch, it wouldn't start. It would turn over, I could hear the fuel pump, and there was gas in the float bowls. For some reason, I decided to shut the fuel pump with the manual switch I installed, and it fired right up.

My first thought is that the electric pump is pushing enough fuel to keep the needle open and overfill the bowl. I would check the floats, and the fuel pressure.

[Gaz64]

Sounds like fuel line debris trapped in the needle and seats.

What carburettor?

What fuel pump?

[lippy]

Originally Posted by Gaz64

Sounds like fuel line debris tapped in the needle and seats.

What carburettor?

What fuel pump?

Weldon pump with bypass regulator at rear and dead head regulator at front (to knock down pressure). Carb is a Braswell (Holley type).

[Gaz64]

Are you willing the inspect the carb needle and seats?

Have the float levels been check recently?

One the needle o-rings could also be damaged.

How much rubber line is between the last fuel filter and the carb?

[lippy]

Originally Posted by Gaz64

Are you willing the inspect the carb needle and seats?

Have the float levels been check recently?

One the needle o-rings could also be damaged.

How much rubber line is between the last fuel filter and the carb?

Absolutely. I've had this carb apart several times, very comfortable with it.

The float levels are good. On a Braswell carb, you actually check them with a caliper to get them spot on, but of course I'll verify.

There is no rubber in the fuel system. It's all Aeroquip PTFE/braided line and hard line. A also cleaned out the lines thoroughly when I installed the system, 3-4k miles ago.

[Gaz64]

Sounds like you have a good system there.

Should be just a little tickle up now.

I would run the engine, and then observe the boosters for fuel drip after engine shutdown.

The offending bowl will show up that way.

Gary

[LG57]

I have had hard starting caused by corrosion inside the distributor cap. Might be worth a quick look.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by Gaz64

I would run the engine, and then observe the boosters for fuel drip after engine shutdown.

The offending bowl will show up that way.

Gary

Thanks Gary. Not sure I understand fully. Could you please provide more detail?

On the other points, I agree the ignition could potentially be the issue. It's MSD, and inf c nothing changed to a different box.