[Jahoney]

Let me preface this by saying it's been since shortly after high school since I have done any significant wrenching on any engine, I am now 41, so please forgive my ignorance. Things are coming back to me slowly but surely.

I am helping my 14 y/o son restore a '69 Ranchero for his first car. Currently we are having trouble keeping the engine running. If I poor a small bit of gas into the carb or hit it with a little carb & choke cleaner, we can get it to fire up and it will run very briefly but it won't stay idling long enough to throw it on a timing gun or even to adjust the fuel/air mix.
There's definately fuel getting to to the carb so it's not the fuel pump and I have a new fuel filter on so that's not clogged either (pulled the line loose post fuel filter and plenty of fuel in the line).
Also, the oil pressure light came on after a few attempts at getting it to stay running. The wiring on the car is a mess so I'm not sure if that's of any significance.

Any suggestions?

[69 widetrack]

The wiring could be a problem, how far are you planning on going with this car?

Oh and welcome to the forum

Ray

[poncho62]

You may be getting fuel to the carb, but it sounds to me like it isnt getting through the carb to the engine.....Chances are the float/needle seat are stuck not allowing the carb to fill....I would take the carb apart and put a rebuild kit in it....Its not that hard to do.
Is it a 2 bbl or 4 bbl?

[Jahoney]

Originally Posted by 69 widetrack

The wiring could be a problem, how far are you planning on going with this car?

Oh and welcome to the forum

Ray

Thanks!

We're planning on getting it road worthy by his 16th birthday for the short term. Long term, my son would like to make it a show quality car.

[Jahoney]

Originally Posted by poncho62

You may be getting fuel to the carb, but it sounds to me like it isnt getting through the carb to the engine.....Chances are the float/needle seat are stuck not allowing the carb to fill....I would take the carb apart and put a rebuild kit in it....Its not that hard to do.
Is it a 2 bbl or 4 bbl?

It's a 4 bbl. We bought the carb from a guy that rebuilds them for living. When we bought it, the guy threw it on an engine and fired it up to show it was in good working order.

[poncho62]

Originally Posted by Jahoney

If I poor a small bit of gas into the carb or hit it with a little carb & choke cleaner, we can get it to fire up and it will run very briefly but it won't stay idling long enough to throw it on a timing gun or even to adjust the fuel/air mix.
There's definately fuel getting to to the carb so it's not the fuel pump and I have a new fuel filter on so that's not clogged either (pulled the line loose post fuel filter and plenty of fuel in the line).


Any suggestions?

If it will run when you pour gas down the carb.....its a fuel problem.....the gas isnt getting into the engine.

You may have other problems too, but that is why the engine wont run

[69 widetrack]

Originally Posted by Jahoney

It's a 4 bbl. We bought the carb from a guy that rebuilds them for living. When we bought it, the guy threw it on an engine and fired it up to show it was in good working order.

That's great to hear about another father son project...my son and I did one back in 98...it wasn't a restoration, just a driver but many memories that we both have and still talk about today. He recently bought a 70 Challenger and wants me involved in the restoration. He lives a cross the country but I'll make every effort to lend a hand. These are the moments that you build a stronger relationship on and cherish them dearly...if you don't there aren't many second chances.

Ray

[Jahoney]

Originally Posted by poncho62

You may be getting fuel to the carb, but it sounds to me like it isnt getting through the carb to the engine.....Chances are the float/needle seat are stuck not allowing the carb to fill....I would take the carb apart and put a rebuild kit in it....Its not that hard to do.
Is it a 2 bbl or 4 bbl?

Ok, so I checked the fuel pressure and it seems to be just fine. Plenty of fuel getting to the carb. If the carb is basically new (brand new rebuild and tested), what is the next thing I should check?

Also on a side note, the oil pressure light keeps kicking on after a few times trying to keep it running. Don't think this would be what is keeping it from staying started but wondering what would cause this.

[poncho62]

Look down the venturi of the carb, pump the accelerator and see if gas is spraying into the engine....If it is, you are getting gas into the engine and it should start.

[PatM]

Check for pump flow. I suspect a strainer in the tank on the suction line.

Pat

[Jahoney]

Originally Posted by PatM

Check for pump flow. I suspect a strainer in the tank on the suction line.

Pat

Well, I'm starting to suspect the fuel pump after all. After talking with a mechanic friend of mine, he reminded me that flow and pressure are two totally different things. When I disconnect the fuel line from the carb and have my son crank the engine, the fuel comes out more like when you poor out an old soda from a bottle, lots coming out but not really any pressure.

Also, after filling the bottle about a quarter of the way, I noticed the fuel looked more like flat orange soda than the clear yellow it should be. Looks like we'll be dropping the tank and cleaning it out.

[Jahoney]

Ok, so I have replaced fuel filter, fuel lines, fuel pump and have dropped the tank and had it cleaned. The car will STILL not start! It will crank until the cows come home and if I poor a little fuel in the carb it will start and run briefly but that's as good as it gets.

Can anyone offer me another option to get this problem resolved?

Thanks

[69 widetrack]

If your getting fuel to the Carb...then, I know you saw the Carb running, I would suspect the Carb. Just for poop's and giggles, can you try a different Carb? You've done everything else short of putting fuel injection on it. Do the butterfly valves open when you pump the accelerator?

Ray

[Jahoney]

Originally Posted by 69 widetrack

If your getting fuel to the Carb...then, I know you saw the Carb running, I would suspect the Carb. Just for poop's and giggles, can you try a different Carb? You've done everything else short of putting fuel injection on it. Do the butterfly valves open when you pump the accelerator?

Ray

don't have a different carb to try. butterflies are working.

in a new twist, I closed the secondaries and this time, without pouring any fuel in the carb or using carb cleaner, for a moment it acted like it was gonna start, then went back to just cranking with no action.

[69 widetrack]

OKay...I'm fairly confident that the Carb you have has vacuum secondaries...why should you have to close them...they should be closed until you step on the gas and the vacuum opens them...Do you have your vacuum lines hooked up right? Try removing the vacuum lines to the secondaries and see if it starts.

It's got to be at the Carb...I'd give that a try...don't just take the vacuum lines off...plug them up and the vacuum inlet to the Carb.

On a side note,,,this Summer when i was out visiting family, my nephew brought his Corvette to me because he said it didn't have any power...My first suggestion to him was that it was a 1980...none of them had power...that didn't go over well, so I opened the hood and he didn't even have a vacuum line to his secondaries...hooked the lines up and he thought he had a rocket ship...in your case, if the secondaries are open, you may be getting more air than fuel and it's like a vacuum leak that your dealing with...that can cause any motor to stall out.

Ray