Fuel Question

[smv]

New 74 spyder with 45 k miles. drove for 1 month ~500 miles. Told it had been sitting for long time. Ran a little rough and changed the fuel filter/plugs/wires/points/condensers. Ran better. A couple weeks later I heard shredding noises in the trunk and seemed like the electric fuel pump might be going. 2-3 days later car seemed to starve for gas and was unable to be restarted. Changed fuel pump and car would start but only ran for 30-60 seconds. Fuel pump voltage seemed true and I could hear it prime. Seemed to run more briefly if I accelerated a bit during the minute of running. Thought maybe a fuel line issue was at hand and pulled the tank. Cleaned it out. blew through (most) of the notable lines. The carb looks a little like an octopuss with all the emissions junk.

Should I pull the carb and look for a trained individual to rebuild it or is there a better suggestion out there? Can I yank all the emissions equipment? Kind a would rather not as it is rather original with low miles and I've read there is minimal gain in performance. I could just buy a new carb, but if it ain't the carb ...

Any advice? Am in the DC area and carbs seem to be less and less familier to folks ...

S

[lanciahf]

S

Check with the guys at DCFIATS.org. A nice bunch of Fiat owners.

http://www.dcfiats.org/ They can point you to a good shop.

[So Cal Mark]

this is really typical of cars that are resurrected after sitting for a long while. All of the soft parts deteriorate quickly after being subjected to fluids and heating/cooling cycles. Expect to have to completely restore the fuel system; tank cleaning, replacing all flexible hoses and a carb rebuild.

[baltobernie]

Check with the guys at DCFIATS.org.

Yep, see Guildo in Riverdale. Contact info on our website.

I don't think the '74 has a smog pump, but even if it does, you can restore the engine compartment to original appearance while defeating any performance-robbing bits, if that's what you'd like. My guess is that the new fuel pump ingested some old crud

[smv]

I spoke with Pat Goss (sp?) of Goss's garage this AM on the radio. He stated I should look for the crank pressure switch and change/evaluate that and diagnosing an electrical issue that ensues only after the priming portion is completed and the engine fires. I'm not sure I buy that. I think I'll persue the dc fiats connection. If someone knows where on the motor I should look to find that switch, let me know. After taking down the air filter housing, it looks like the choke is faulty, as well. I may be looking to get that new carborator after all; or atleast a solid rebuild. I did get the tank cleaned/sealed and am working from the rear fwd to change any rubber and blow out the steel pipes. I hope this gets me moving forward.

s

[kmead]

Well Pat in this case doesn't know what he is talking about but I'll let that slide... On this particular engine there is no crank pressure switch or crank position switch.

As for the choke, it is adjustable and likely needs to be adjusted. In all likelihood it is not faulty. You do likely need to clean your carburetor and put in new gaskets. This is something you can likely do.

You likely have all manner of grunge in the gas tank which is interfering with the fuel pump and likely the fuel filter (clogging them and likely the carburetor). This is what Mark is telling you needs doing.

[smv]

Thanks all for the info. It's off to the garage ... my garage first