I just bought an '87 trans am with the 305 TPI V-8 in it. runs pretty good for being 20 yrs old and all, heh. couple things though, around 1/4 tank of gas the engine starts shuddering and has caused it to shut off. some hard accelerating and/or turns make it shudder as well around that point. happens when I apply the gas. previous owner replaced spark plugs, wires, air filter, starter and alt. it had been sitting for a few months but they cranked it on occasion. I'm wondering...fuel pump? water in the tank? how would I check?

If its got 3/4 a tank it runs like a top. I'm not over mechanically blessed but I can do basic stuff. any tips or ideas? I believe he changed the fuel filter as well but I don't know where it is on this car.

in advance

 

Sounds like your fuel pump might be sucking air. I'd either check the fuel pressure when it's doing it, or (sorry), pull the pump out of the tank and take a look.

 

fuel pump replacement a few hour job? all day job? I've got a buddy with a decent shop, just wondering if I should wait till the weekend since this is my commuter till my bike is fixed

 

My escort did that, all I had to do was lift up the back seat and replace the rubber seal between the fuel pump bracket and the fuel tank. With camaroes it's a different story though. To give you an idea, I once posted about my gas guage not working and how hard it would be to replace the float. Everyone told me to just deal with it b/c it was such an enormous pain. Alot of guys on here know these cars inside and out, so if that's the attitude they have, you have alot of work ahead of you. But look on the bright side, at least you can go ahead and do a new float while you're at it. If it's not bad it will go bad. Those are a prob for our cars. Hope this helps. If not PM me anytime. - Nate

 

Well if you're going to open up the gas tank, you might as well put in a new pump anyway. It is an all-day job that involves removing the rear end, and wrestling the tank out from the car.


Or you could just take the easy way out and cut a hole in your trunk over the gas tank.

 

I don't have a camaro so.. any how, how much gas does the tank hold 16 gal?
How much does it take to fill it up from the 1/4 mark where it starts acting up.
If it's close to the same number the guage/sending unit is off by 1/4 and needs to be replaced...
..OR the tank could have a big old baha dent in the bottom