So, admittedly the car has sat for a while but I replaced all the plugs, cap, rotor, ignition module, set the timing, put fresh fuel in, and checked the TPS voltage (which was good). Also put two new fan relays in but that shouldn't be germane to the issue....problem is, the car doesn't really want to start, and if it does run and I step on the throttle, it starts to sputter and die out. If I flutter the throttle a few times, it might wind up a bit but it still seems like it's missing or just nowhere near full song.

I'm really afraid I'm going to end up replacing the fuel pump, lines, injectors, etc...before it's all over but I'd like to have it running smooth before I get into all that and at least get to drive it a few times this summer.

Somebody knowledgable, please HELP!!! Thanks all in advance!

 

hook up a fuel pressure gauge and see what it reads.
should be around 35psi at idle and 43psi when you rev it up a bit.

 

Did you change your fuel filter

 

28 psi at idle and trends downward when the throttle body is opened. Sounds like a fuel delivery issue.

 

Hello Charlz B.!!


Pinch the fuel return line, and then apply power to the test connector for the fuel pump, pressure above 47 psi = faulty pressure regulator, pressure below 40 psi = faulty fuel pump!!



Of course you will have tried the fuel filter first!!

 

double check your timing. same thing happend to me a while ago. i had the spark plugs hooked up in the right order but id foolishly put them one position out all the way around the distributor!

 

New fuel filter as of today and still 28 psi at idle and the guage has an seizure if the throttle is opened. It did run a measure better though and put a good bit of water out of the tailpipes but it's still not right. I'll try the fuel line pinch as soon as I have a moment.

 

Hello Charlz B.!!

keep us posted as to your findings!!

 

New fuel pump....just what Dr. ACDelco ordered. Was able to change it out and put the car back together in one long saturday. Just had it out on the interstate for a stretch and a fresh inspection sticker. Legal and evil once again! Thanks everyone for the information!

 

Another quick question...while doing this, I managed to shear off one of the track bar bolts. I was wanting to replace all of them with stainless steel ones....anyone have a good source for such hardware?

 

Hello Charlz B.!!

Did you try the fuel line pinch to come to the conclusion about the fuel pump?

Curious to see if you used that method, and how it worked for you!!