Hey all I'm new to the whole third gen thing but so far I love it! I picked up a all original 1986 Trans Am with the carbed 305 for 500 dollars. Sat for 5 years until a flatbed dropped it off at my house. Car now runs and drives but it will not idle when in gear. I've checked all the vacuum hoses and plugged off the ones that once ran to the AIR system. Drained old gas and put fresh in. Did basic tune up. In park or neutral the car will idle and its idling just under 1000. When I put it in gear the idle will drop to 500-600 starts to bobble, eventually stalling the engine. The only thing I haven't done at this point is check the ignition timing. Could that be the cause? Its not fun having to put the trans in neutral every time I come to a stop... Any ideas? Also SES light is on but can't seem to access the codes, nothing happens when the terminals are jumped...

 

On the codes - are you jumping the terminals BEFORE you turn the key on?

Have you replaced fuel filter?
Made sure all plug wires are securely on?
Verified the firing order?
Tested the plug wires for continuity?
Checked for vacuum leaks around intake, carb, etc.?

 

Yes, Ive tried jumping the key is on. Still nothing. also I only have connectors in the top half of the plug. Ahhh somehow I've forgotten all about the fuel filter! The hardline is stuck and wants to twist when I try to take it off... Plugs and wires are all brand new, and it appears to have a MSD distributor (maybe just the cap?) I'll work on the filter before I jump to the ignition...

 

Spray it with some PB Blaster (great stuff) and wait an hour then try - if no go then respray and wait a few more hours for it to penetrate - that stuff works much better than WD40!

 

Ok so the old fuel filter is BLACK. The hard line between the carb and fuel pump got crimped in the process of taking it off. Anyone know what size line that is? Autozone and NAPA were completely useless in telling me what size it is...

 

I assume it got crimped close to the filter?

Go to parts store, get new filter, and see if they have any brakeline with the correct end to screw into new filter - might want to try a NAPA or CARQUEST if avail in your area, they carry alot more of this type of thing. You need about 3/8 inside diameter on the brakeline. Then, you can get a tubing cutter, cut out the old chunk, put in the new brakeline piece, and attach the two with a small piece of fuel hose and clamps. If it's fuel injected, make sure to get fuel injection hose (it will say fuel injection on the side and is about $3 a ft).

 

You assumed correctly. Its 3/8ths line and I can obtain that at autozone. would it be easier to re-flair the end and add on a new fitting than replace the line completely? I can find the line no problemo but I don't have a flair tool or benders.

 

I guess it depends on how much a flaring tool costs. I got one at Harbor Freight for cheap, but it won't do too many jobs before it's dead (cheap chinese stuff). I just thought you might get lucky with a brake line that had the right size/right flare end already on it to fit the fuel filter for $10-$15, $3 of fuel hose and $3 clamps.

 

Well now its a replace situation. After trying to remove the line from the pump the pump actually broke, and no longer seals. It broke around the seam where the fitting threads in and meets the pump body its self. Looks like its off to autozone to get the line and a new pump. I'm just happy its only 20 bucks! I suspected the pump was leaky as it was always wet and smelled of fresh fuel after running the car. I guess I'll just cross it off the list today haha