76 Spider will not start.

[bg74spider]

First a quick history. The car would start normally and run or drive perfectly for about 5-10 minutes. Then the car would just die. Wait a few minutes and the car would restart, but die again more quickly until it won't start at all. Try again the next day and the same scenario all over again. Now the car will crank, sorta start and instantly die. I have swapped the coil, distributor cap, rotor, wires, readjusted points gap, and swapped condensers. All items give the same result. I do get spark at the coil and the plugs. A test light on the negative side of the coil flashes as it should while cranking the engine. The car still has all the original smog equipment installed. The car is completely stock. What am I missing? Any help would be appreciated.

[velozi]

Check your fuel pump and the lenght of the hose from the tank to the pump. I had the same problem on my 76 after I replaced all fuel hoses. The pump one was too long and killed the power from the pump. Strange, took a couple of inches off and it worked perfect.

[Schnauzer]

had the same problem with my Son's 79 Carb'd. Drove us nuts. Turned out to be an old crumbly fuel pickup filter in the tank. We remove and flushed the tank and adapted a fuel pickup sock filter. Problem instantly solved.

[bg74spider]

I tried swapping fuel pumps, changing to a shorter gas line, and replacing the fuel filter. Still not working. Then I swapped the carb from my 74 and the car started and ran 5 minutes then the same thing all over again. The fuel pump works very well when I remove the hose and run into a container. I can take a look into the gas tank pickup, but I don't think the gas flow is my problem. I installed a clear fuel filter and it stays full. I'm frustrated and stumped on this one.

[KalamazooJohnny]

Is there oil in it?

[bg74spider]

Yes, the oil is full. I did check.

[So Cal Mark]

there is a fine mesh screen on the inlet of the carb, it might be plugged up

[bg74spider]

Checked and cleaned the screen today. I even swapped my carb off of my 74. It did exactly the same thing. I really don't think it's a gas problem any more. There is good flow, and my 74 carb is a good tested carb. I even swapped the fuel pump along with it. Still no luck.

[131]

When it won't start, do you still have spark and is there fuel coming out of the accelerator pump nozzle in the carb when you pump the throttle?

[bg74spider]

Yes on both accounts. There is spark and the accelerator pump is working. I'm wondering if the spark may be to weak?

[So Cal Mark]

how large a gap will the spark jump?

[RoyBatty]

Yeah Mark,
You're thinking the same as me.
Maybe an ignition component is breaking down and failing as it heats up.
Coil or condenser??

[bg74spider]

Today I converted the dual points to single points and she runs great. It seems that when the system switched from the starting points to the running points the car died. I was able to take it for a drive before the storms set in today. Thanks to everyone for all the help!