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1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

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Old 05-05-2017, 09:16 AM
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Car: 1987 Firebird Formula
Engine: H305
1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

Ok, so here is an update on my work on the Firebird:

2 weeks ago I got it started up for the first time in 13 years. Car ran fine, but I noticed that there was fuel leaking from the mechanical fuel pump up front.

Last weekend I changed the pump and the front fuel lines out. Noticed that the carb was not getting fuel. Car starts and runs beautifully if I spray starter fluid in the carb.

I also noticed that the wires to the fuel pump relay were frayed on a couple of them. Last night I changed out the wiring harness and the relay.

Still no fuel to the carb.

I know that there is the potential that the sending unit in the tank may have gone out, but trying to see if there is anything else that may be causing this problem.

Any ideas are appreciated.
Old 05-05-2017, 09:24 AM
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Engine: 305
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 4:10
Re: 1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

Clean out the fuel and change the fuel filter.....????

Good luck
Old 05-05-2017, 09:25 AM
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Car: 1987 Firebird Formula
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Re: 1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

Did that already
Old 05-05-2017, 10:31 AM
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Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
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Re: 1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

After 11 years sitting there was nothing usable inside my fuel tank - including the tank itself.

Sometimes you can pull fuel through a dead in-tank pump. Try hooking up an electric low pressure pump under the car near the filter and see if it will pull fuel. Otherwise the pickup sock and or pump in the tank is probably shot. You can check for and put power to the lift pump from under the car also.

GD
Old 05-05-2017, 10:41 AM
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Car: 1987 Firebird Formula
Engine: H305
Re: 1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

Makes sense.

I have also read that there is an inline fuse near the passenger side engine compartment.

Any thoughts?
Old 05-05-2017, 10:48 AM
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Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
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Re: 1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

There is on my TPI car, yes. It's an orange wire with a weatherpack fuse holder. It's the main power for the computer and I think it's the fuel pump relay power also. I believe the carb models may have also used it for their computer, etc. Should be right near the battery.

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Old 05-05-2017, 01:43 PM
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Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA
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Re: 1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

with the feed line to the mech pump temporarily removed, jump out the fuel pump relay to check for in-tank fuel pump operation.
Old 05-08-2017, 09:02 AM
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Car: 1987 Firebird Formula
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Re: 1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

Ordered a new in-tank sender assembly.
Old 05-19-2017, 09:48 AM
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Car: 1987 Firebird Formula
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Re: 1987 Firebird not getting fuel to carb

Changed out the fuel pump and still had issues starting.

Last night I disconnected the MCS on the carb and car started up.




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