So ive got a 1989 350 Trans Am that wont start. I have just replaced the coil and me and my hand know very well there is spark. I bought a fuel pressure tester and it is about 34 PSI at the rails. After it has been sitting for a while it sometimes will seem to fire for just a split second before nothing again. Then it will just crank with no results. But, I can still smell gasoline from inside the cylinder after i pull a sparkplug. So what could be the problem?

I can upload video or pictures of anything you might need.

 

if i remeber correctly the fuel pressure is sopposed to be between 65 and 95 psi call local parts store and they can tell you i had a 93 blazer with the 4.3 vortec that did the same thing and was low on fuel pressure

 

according to https://www.thirdgen.org/optimal-fuel-pressure, it says the stock pressure is 42, but it also doesnt say which car or engine this is for. Ill look and call around. Thanks for the help!

Edit: nevermind, im just blind- it says for a stock 350 engine. it still doesnt say what year or car though.

 

43 PSI with vacuum unplugged and running. 34 PSI with vacuum connected sounds about right.

 

Huh. What the heck is keeping it from starting then? Some guy i talked to seemed to think the fuel filter was clogged and so the engine isnt getting enough, but i think since the fuel pressure was high enough it isnt a problem. Although, that was just being primed with the pump. Should i bother emptying the tank and cleaning/replacing the filter?

 

Are you sure you have spark?

 

pretty sure- i got my dad to take out a sparkplug while i cranked it and it even shocked his hand. It almost seemed to do it through the wire- the PO seemed to have replaced them, is it possible he somehow got the wrong ones or something? they also dont seem to have the best contact with the sparplugs.

 

So, on a suggestion from my father, ive found that it definately is not getting enough fuel. We let the pump prime the system for about 20 seconds, then tried to start it. It tried to fire but then ran out of fuel before it could get going. So i guess my next step would be to remove the filter and replace it. Any helpful tips for emptying the tank or just changing the filter in general?