Okay, so I broke at the track again... car was stumbling while I waited to go up to the tree, and stalled out after my second run. I finally got it started, but it still wanted to stall. If I kept the RPM's constant, and near 3000 RPM, the car would work fine. As soon as I dropped in RPM, or, if I jerkily played with the gas pedal, the car would stumble, cut out, almost stall, etc. I actually had the car floored (thinking it flooded), and the rpm's bounced around 300-400.

The fuel pump sounds like a very large & ticked-off hornet, I've never heard it louder! The thing almost sounds like it'll explode!

I got home (driving with two feet, brake & gas, and using 2nd gear and neutral), and put a fuel pressure gauge on it after the car cooled. I got 33-35... stock should be 40.5-49 PSI.

Can this be anything else besides the pump?? I haven't bothered to check the regulator or anything because of that loud pump noise; I don't see how a bad regulator would make the pump scream. I just replaced the Fuel Filter (as part of a major tuneup, all filters covered) on July 7th, a few weeks ago. I don't think it's a spark module problem, since the car runs at 3000+ RPM fine. I was thinking "clogged catalytic", but the car runs fine at 3000+ rpm.

I last replaced the fuel pump July 5, 1997. When my original pump died, it went out with a quiet "gurgle"- sounded like a sick motor- not a loud "scream".

That raises another question... I put a Borg-Warner "lifetime" pump in. Should I return it, and get another BW pump for free, or, should I spill the cash for a genuine Ac/Delco one?

Thanks in advance! I hope to do the job this Friday & Saturday... at least I've done it before so I won't have to figure anything out.

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited July 26, 2001).]

 

I would replace fuel filter again just because its cheap (and changing the pump is such a PITA) and pretty much the only other cause. I bad regulator won't change sound of pump but a clog in the line like a clogged filter would. Most likely its the pump and since you have lifetime guarantee I would go back with the same pump. You replaced in 97 right. 4 years isn't tooo bad for it. I have definitely seen worse.

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91 Camaro RS 5.0L Black Convertible 700R4
** Added so far **
*GM Wonderbar,Alston SFC's,spohn LCA's and Panhard rod
*Turbo City Inj Spacer
*Dual Snorkel Air Filter
*March Performance Pulleys
*GM 3.42 Gears with OEM Zexel POSI
*Edelbrock headers
*3" High Flow Cat
*3" Dynomax Exhaust
*Walbro 255 lph Fuel Pump
***Future 330hp Vortec Crate with LT4 hotcam and 454 TBI

 

Do you think the filter would've clogged that fast, though?

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

My Question is, Why were you at the track with a V6?


j/k )

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60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver 14.82 @ 91.1 (faster than Ed)
Reader's ride -> My Ride

Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype

 

Anyone else have something?? I'm dropping the tank in a few hours; if you can save me the headache, that'd be great!

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited July 27, 2001).]

 

What I'm thinking is that it could be the regulator. Say the regulator started regulating at whatever pressure you're getting, that would be a restriction in the line, like the before mention clog. Try taking the regulator out of the line and see how much pressure you get without it.

 

True, I'll have to pinch the return line to shut the regulator "off" and check pressure then. That should tell me if the regulator's leaking... I suppose I should pull the vac line off the regulator and see if it's soaked with gas!

What a shame- I called around for that high pressure fuel-pump-to-body feed hose, and nobody has one in stock; if they order it, it would come by Tuesday. Looks like I'll be re-using that hose again... oh well, I guess I can change it later- but I really didn't want to wait.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!