it will start and run for a few seconds then shutdown, seems like an electrical problem but haven't been able to trace it down. it is an electronic controlled quadrajet and it seemed like a noise (snap/click) came from the carburetor when it shutdown. I might only get one or two shots at starting it up then it seems like something gets too hot and will not allow the engine to start until I shut it down and wait a bit

 

What have you tried? First thing would be fuel filter. Is everything stock?

 

After it stalls and will not restart, test spark and then key off check for fuel in carb. Remove air cleaner lid look down primaries and pump throttle. You should see fuel coming out the 2 squirters. You may have to hold choke open and use a flash light only to see. Clicking is ECM controlled mixture control solenoid, normal.
Joe

 

Is the choke working properly?

 

after it stalls it will not restart until I turn off the key and wait a bit then try again and if it starts it will be the same thing run for 3-5 seconds then shuts down. I have run a separate wire from the starter and from the pos battery to a push button start and power from the batt to the ignition coil to try and eliminate those two as problems. it will turn over every time with the push button but it didn't every time with the key. this car I think is stock but some of the wires under the hood have never been hooked up and some have burnt ends for exhaust manifold, not the greatest situation electronically. I can see the gas squirting into the carb so it seems to be getting gasoline. there is a black box inside the car by the firewall and it is an ESP sidewinder 5000 (if I remember right) and it will click off and on. the parking lights will blink on and off several times after trying to start it, I had heard that could mean a short.

 

Sounds like the ESP 5000 is an aftermarket security system and it has a fuel disable function that has been wired into the ECM circuitry. The E4M carb should allow the engine to start and run without input from the ECM. The ignition though may be disabled.

Take a close look at the wiring of the ESP unit and see if this isn't the case. Best bet is remove it put things back to stock.

 

does it have the illusive in tank pump?
if so
is the oil pressure switch working & providing power to the in tank pump?

 

The oil pressure switch is only back up to the fuel pressure relay. Other than gauge or lamp. If relay is inop. for any reason, once oil pressure is established it by passes relay and sends power to the fuel pump, and engine should start. The only old car with the oil pressure switch cutting off power to fuel pump when pressured dropped was the Vega! Remember 90,s and 00's trucks the fuel pump would run a few seconds after the engine is shut off, because engine held oil pressure those few seconds.
Joe

 

The carb engines all had mechanical pumps. Some also had an electric in tank pump, to prevent vapor lock. I've never been able to determine for sure if this was only for cars sold in warm climates. If you're getting accel pump shot, fuel supply isn't your issue. Look for an issue affecting the ignition. Might want to look at a plug just to see if they're fuel fouled from cranking the motor with no spark. Do a KV test at a plug wire. Should have 40KV from the HEI. If no spark, verify power on the large pink BATT wire at the dist. Try unplugging the four wire EST harness coming from the dist. This should put the ignition in bypass timing mode and take the ECM out of the equation. If you have spark with the connector undone, need to see what is causing the issue at the ECM. Again, I suspect the ESP 5000 unit.

 

Attached is is the ESP Sidewinder 5000 manual.