I am trying to break in my cam and this is what is happening: The engine fires right up idles for about 7-10 seconds then dies. I tried revving it to keep it going but it doesn't do anything when i pull on the linkage unless I try doing it once I fire it up. Do you guys think maybe I need to check the float level? what else could it be It feels like to me that it ain't getting enough fuel. I have an inline clear filter and a fuel pressure gauge and they seem fine but still nothing. Oh yeah its the one in my sig.

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LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

Does it do it after the engine is warm or only when it's cold? Do you have a manual choke or electric? What is the fuel pressure?

 

Well its cold because the engine hasn't actually been run yet. The choke is electric but it doesn't do anything when I hook it up to a power source. I converted the choke from manual to electric myself and the coil inside doesn't do anything when its connected.

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LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

The fuel pressure is set at about 5 1/2 and I thought maybe that wasn't enough so I turned it up 6. And that didn't help either.

------------------
LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

It sounds like it's not getting enough fuel. Does it sputter then die or just die quickly? Are you having to hold open the butterflies?

 

it sputters. Do you think I should check the float level?

------------------
LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

Somebody told me today that the factory fuel pump may not be able to be regulated. Does anyone now if there is any truth to this?

------------------
LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

What type of carb is it? This could help greatly.

Do you have gas in the tank? Fuel lines hooked up correctly (gas filter correct direction?). You're going to have to dry set the floats inorder to try and not destroy your cam. Also it is possibly a idle circuit problem, if you have another running V8 you can put it on to get it running, you should be able to swap it onto your project and have it well enough tuned to get it running. I would also wiretire the choke into the open position (some people use a screw driver to block the choke plate, but make sure it is large enough to not to fall down)

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1984 WS6 Hardtop Trans Am
Former L69 Car under restoration
1984 T-top Trans Am
4-bolt main 350, performer intake, headers, Holley 650, T-5, hayes clutch, dual elec. fans and 3.23's.
Daily driver and restoration
13.98 @ 101

 

It is an Edelbrock 750 cfm. The choke isn't working so thats ok. There is plenty of gas and the lines are right. I have heard from a couple of people today that the electric fuel pump will not operate properly with a regulator and that is what it seems to be doing. Now the god damn thing wouldn't start for me today and the battery went dead in the process!!!!!!!!! this car has been more aggravation than its worth. I am just about ready to give up.

------------------
LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

if your fuel pump works at all then you are NOT running out of gas with the car running in park. If it is the carb causing the problem then more likely it is leaking fuel because of too high fuel pressure, or dirt blocking the needle/seat seal.

what do you plugs look like?

 

i haven't pulled a plug yet tomorrow
i have heard the fuel pump won't work right if it is turned down to much like in this case. the psi is set at 6psi does the fuel pump need the oil switch to stay on while the car is running?

------------------
LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

if you run an electric Carter pump for $55 you don't need any regulator.

You should be able to hear if your pump is working or not, or watch a fuel-press gauge near your carb to see if the pressure is too high. I suspect the pressure creeping up to high and blowing your needles off the seats (flooding)... is it?

flooding would give you black sooty plugs (wet too)

 

i have the pump wired to a switch in the dashboard and i just flip it when i want to start the car but sometimes when i just flip the switch and watch the pressure gauge i have the pressure kind of moves a little. I am thinking of just putting a manual pump and getting rid of the stupid electric FI pump.

------------------
LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

ttt

here is what i heard: the factory fuel pump will not work with the AFPR so i don't know what to do. the car will idle but only on what is in the carb bowl. after it stalls I can hear the carb bowl fill up again anybody?

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LONG LIVE THE MUSCLE CAR!!!!! MAY ITS REIGN NEVER END

1983Z28 350w/ edelbrock performer RPM power package with 64cc aluminum heads, dynomax shorty headers, 700R-4 with shift kit, 750cfm carb, edelbrock 3" exhaust system, ASCD SS hood, 16" IROC rims.

future mods:
completely done over suspension, black paint with flames, Hurst shifter, dakota digital gauge package, procharger supercharger.

 

why would you use an EFI pump for a carburetor?
A carter electric pump only costs $55 and you will have no problems.
Fix your problem.