Thread: Not really a hotrod. but still a classic to me.

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Ok I have a new toy. 1979 International Scout Traveler with a 345 engine and 727 automatic tranny. Have been trying to get it running correctly before I start in on the suspension. Have just finished putting in a Pertronix Ignitor and new coil 2 weeks ago.
Been running great the last week or so, No issues good highway driving and everything. Put about 200-300 miles on it in that week. filed the tank a few times. Then out of no where yesterday started to bog down and die again. Got it to start up each time but could not give it any throttle. Then after about an hour sitting drove it about 6 blocks and she died and wouldnt start. Pulled the air cleaner and checked for fuel. Nothing. Not even a trickle. Tank was cleaned and fuel lines replaced over the winter. No kinks in lines. carb and fuel pump replaced spring 2012. New fuel filter 3 weeks ago. Thought it was vapor locking so I cut down the steel fuel line to about 6 inches to keep it from getting warm and vaporlocking and added more rubber hose. Took it for a test drive today. About 60* and raining. didnt even get .5 miles and started dieing out again. Put it in N and try to throttle it and RPMs stay around the same.
Any ideas before I swap out the fuel pump again? Figured a Carter fuel pump would last more than a year and havent put more than 1000 miles on it if that.

Thanks
Joker51

From your description of the symptoms.. I would've said it's ignition, but you say you have no fuel... how were you checking for fuel... also, can you verify the gas cap is the right one (vented or un-vented) ?? Since the pump is relatively new ( and carters have a good reputation ) I would gravitate elsewhere but, if you can open the fuel line after the pump and use some hose to go to a can or bottle, you should be able to run the motor for a minute and verify the pump is pushing fuel. And try it with the cap on and off..

Intermittant problems are always the worst!

Check for fuel by removing air cleaner and hitting the throttle and no fuel squirting from the jets, not even a trickle. And cap is correct. And when I removed the cap thinking it was a vaccum effect in the tank there was no whooshing sound so the tank is venting correctly. And the Pertronix is testing correctly and have spark at plugs when this is occuring. Changed out ignition due to the old prestolite icm was failing once it got hot and this is different on the stalling than that was. No back fireing when its trying to keep running as when the spark was failing. Just seems to be cutting out the fuel when vaccum raises from the idle speed. Can drive at slow speeds as long as I dont push on the accelerator to gain speed. Vaccum lines have also been replaced and routed.
Oh another thing. This is a Quadrajet carb if that helps any.

Thanks
Joker51

Sounds like you covered the basics!! What "bugs" me is it sounds like you're getting a limited supply of fuel. That means to me that either there is a blockage in the metal tubing or maybe a hose collapsing. Or the fuel pump is failing.. perhaps check inside the fuel pump connections and see if there is any rust or debris???

Perhaps the "sock" filter in the tank is blocked also?

Planning on getting or borrowing a gauge this weekend if I can get some time away from work to check the pressure at the pump. Would really hate to have to drop the tank again, as I have had to do that 4 times over the winter and the dang filler tube hose is a pain in the a** to get back in correctly. That takes the most time. Havent figured out an easier way to do it. Maybe I should just cut an access panel in the bed lol
And just cut down the metal tube today thinking since it was routed over the valve covers it was vapor locking, but still occuring. but will try the pressure test before I drop the tank again. Hate to have to drain 15 gallons left in the tank to drop it again.

Thanks
Joker51

No need to pull the tank to check the sock. Just disconnect the pump and see if you can start a siphon action through the pump supply line.

First of all, old Scouts are just plain cool! They were IH's push into the off-road capable arena, a Jeep approach. In your first post you say, "Tank was cleaned and fuel lines replaced over the winter." That can be OK, but it's also hard to clean out an old tank completely if it's badly rusted, and it sure sounds like you've got a flow restriction somewhere. What process did you use for cleaning the tank? As I recall, Quadrajet's were even more susceptible to plugging than other carbs of the day, and good filtering is critical.

Here's thought with all the fuel lines you changed maybe something is loose and you are sucking air try removing the fuel line at the tank and plugging it remove the fuel line at the carb and with a hand vacuum pump. See if the line will hold a vacuum ......ted

Not sure how he cleaned it. Had a buddy do that for me. But when I first dropped the tank it looked pretty clean. Didnt see any flaking on the inside. I will try to siphon and see what happens and maybe blow out all the fuel lines.

Thanks
Joker51

Joker, is your Carter fuel pump mechanical or electric? If electric, where do you have it mounted relative to the tank?

Its a mechanical. I am starting to think of adding an electric to assist the mechanical so Im not stranded if the mechanical goes out. Just want it running right before I start that and start on the dual battery system,

Joker51

Just me, but I'm not a fan of the electric "backup". A mechanical should keep you running for many, many miles once you figure out your problem. That said, it doesn't take much of a restriction in the suction line from the tank to the pump to cause problems. Maybe unhook the suction line at the pump, and the closest connection to the tank and blow backwards through the line into a bottle to see if you get anything out. Once proven clear, hook up your line at the tank and blow back into the tank to see if it clears the problem. If it does then you've got a tank contamination problem to deal with. Probably several ways to attack, but that's what I'd do today if it were sitting here.

Filter mounted on the carb? The type that is a fine screen or kind of like a pumice stone thing?
See if that needs replaced.

Just a thought...

Not sure if there is a filter on the carb. I have an inline filter between carb and pump. I will have to check the carb and see if there is a filter in there. I know where the fuel line hooks into it there is a stamp that says filter and and arrow pointing towards the opening where the fuel line goes. Is this where the filter would be?

Thanks
Joker51

Something like:
feed line from pump
to a nut
the nut on the carb
?
Use a line wrench & ** carefully ** take it off. There ** may ** be the very fine filter just iinside the nut fitting.
I had a Ventura that had that filter. When it clogged up, idle was good-to-fair, but giving it throttle would quit.
I don't recall if there are 2 nuts or 1, use care so as not to twist // kink the metal line.
Before you do that, lets see if anyone agrees or not.