RE: IML: Question

["bill parker" <hemirr@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

It does seem a little odd that it was driving OK and just a few days of 
sitting, it won't prime through the system.  Does it run as long as you keep 
pouring a little gas?  If it is shutting off as soon as you release the key 
from the start position, you probably need a new ballast resistor.  If it 
definately is fuel, then here are some of the things to consider:  The fuel 
pump diaphragm may crack from age; the check ball in the fuel pump may stop 
seating well enough to self prime the pump due to muck and corrosion around 
it, the arm may bend  or break off, usually if it isn't getting oil and the 
push rod wears through it.  The push rod itself can wear down on either end, 
usually again due to oil not getting up to it from sludge, and also, when 
you put a new cam in without putting assembly lub on the fuel pump eccentric 
it can wear the pushrod quickly, I found that one out the hard way about 250 
miles from home once.  And of course the cam may be worn down too much to 
create enough suction in the pump to prime itself.  Then, there are cracks 
in the suction end of things, either the hose from hard line to fuel pump, 
or hose from tank pickup to hard line.  Of course the filter "sock" in the 
tank can get plugged, this probably would happen if the car sat for a long 
time, then you got it running and drove it around, then when it sits again 
the stuff stirred up settles around the lowest part of the tank, where the 
sock is too.  You can blow compressed air back through the system which 
probably will blow the sock off if it is plugged, which may let you get 
going, just remember it will be sucking the muck up through the line then 
until you clean the tank out.  Also check the filter between the pump and 
carb.  Another possibility is a stuck needle in the seat in that AFB, or 
enough muck in the primary bowls to have clogged both primary jets, not 
common in AFB type carbs though since the needles go down through the jets 
and kind of help keep stuff from settling in too much as they run up and 
down with vacuum changes, although of course the needles themselves could 
get stuck too.  I'd try putting a pump on first, I think cheap ones are 
$20-ish generally, and take a look at the pushrod while you're at it.  I 
generally pull the pushrod out to inspect it, then put it back in slathered 
with wheel bearing grease to get a good start at lubrication and also to 
help hold it in the "up" position so you can put the plug back in then get 
the fuel pump positioned right without interference.  When you look at the 
pushrod, if both of the unpolished ends are equal length, it is probably OK, 
because in my experience at least it generally will wear one end or the 
other but not both.  I'm sure I missed something to check, but that's what 
comes to mind.



Bill & Kathi Parker, South Central Indiana
'60 Chrysler Saratoga kustom; '62 Plymouth Max Wedge; '64 Dart convertible; 
'65 Barracuda \6; '65 Imperial; '68 Barracuda FB 340-S; '69 Barracuda FB now 
360; '70 Challenger now 440; '72 Cuda '340




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