Hello... and I am hoping you guys can help :)

[christine13b]

Hello! Let me first say that this forum is awesome, and I couldn't be happier to have such a great group of people as a resource who share distinct passion for these wonderful little cars. I am in Lexington, KY, btw. This is my first Fiat. I spent the better part of my teenage years working on 2nd generation Rx7s (hence the 13b in my user name), so things seem a bit different on these! I just acquired a 1974 124 S with the 1800 in it. It is a beautiful car, even though I haven't had it running for more than 30-60 seconds yet. The guy I got it from said that it needed an alternator. Finding that was a bit of a challenge, so I had a local shop rebuild the original. After reinstalling that, I started her up... everything seemed great for about 30 seconds and then the engine died. If I pump the gas, I can get the vehicle running, but it never lasts longer than about a minute and then dies. Spark or fuel, right? I replaced all the plugs and plug wires, the cap and rotor look great (they seem newer). I realized that the carb bowl was filling up while i was trying to start the car, but once it started running, it would deplete all the fuel and the bowl wouldn't refill. Sticking float? Carb rebuild? No thanks... not my forte. I decided to upgrade my carb from the original 34 DMSA I purchased a 32/36 DFEV from Allison and replaced it. All should be well in the world now, right?! Started her up... everything seemed grab, and after about 45 seconds, the daggon thing died again! The bowl is filling up, car starts, runs it dry... and then no fuel. If I pump the gas, it will start again, but only enough fuel for a little while. This carb is brand new. Everything is working on it. Not sure what the issue is. Has anyone had this sort of problem? It seems as though I am only getting fuel while cranking, but then once the engine starts purring, the pump stops pushing? When running, the oil light is on, however the gauge is working and the oil pressure is good. Oil level is good, and I was able to take a manual reading which was also good. I've ordered a new sending unit for the light. Could that be the cause of this? Could it be a fuel line? The electric pump? I'm not exactly sure where to start. Any info or help you guys have would be greatly appreciated. I'm pulling my hair out.

[christine13b]

Here are some pics of the car... love it. Can't wait to drive it. haha

[bobplyler]

Sounds like the fuel pump. But first, check the fuel filter.

[Newell33]

I would have someone check for voltage at the fuel pump when the car is running. I'm not positive, but I believe these cars have a dual relay system for the pump. It sounds like you're not getting voltage to the pump once the car starts, causing the fuel shortage. You have a beautiful Spider there. Either way I wouldn't get too discouraged. It sounds like the problem won't be too hard to track down.

[baltobernie]

Hello and Welcome! Beautiful car you have there.

I'm with Bob on this ... sounds like an obstruction rather than a failed component. Disconnect the supply line to the carb, have an assistant crank the engine while you watch fuel flow into a bucket. Oh yeah, make sure you're in Neutral

Tell us if you have an electric fuel pump (in the trunk, next to the tank), or a mechanical one (on the left side of the engine). Unless you know the entire history of the car, don't assume anything regarding components and part numbers. Probably more Spiders alive today have mis-matched engines than OE. These were popular, cheap cars that usually have (suffered?) multiple "restorations".

With fuel supply issues, everybody seems to want to begin in the rear of the car, when you should start from the front and work your way back. Filter screen on the carb, fuel filter, fuel lines, electrical connections, then fuel pump.

[christine13b]

Got it... new fuel filter and replaced the fuel line. Was old and letting air in the line! She's running... not great, but we'll get there! Thank you guys for your suggestions!

[124JOE]

good job,nice car
btw the old carb should still be tuned unless you moved the screws

i did have a problem like your but it was ground related"at the batt"
and a short in the ele dist wires"aftermarket"

[kmac33]

Welcome to the world of Spider ownership.
Good looking 74! Looks like you got a good one. Once you get your Spider running well, you aren't going to be able to get the smile off your face. What part of the country are you in?

[christine13b]

Im in Kentucky. Not a lot of Fiats on the road around here! Mine's still not quite right. Got er running and idling. Now when I get up to about 2500 RPMs... the engine cuts out. Not quite ready for a test drive yet. Now carb, fuel filter, fuel line... I'm getting spark from the coil and the distributor. This is getting interesting...

[dmwhiteoak]

Has it had a good tune up lately? Fresh plugs and points and good wires will make a world of differance.

[christine13b]

All brand new points, plugs, and wires. Now a new fuel pump as well, to add to the line, filter, and carb! The fuel pump was still acting funny around 2200-2500 RPM, so I put a new one on today and took it out for a nice drive. Did well for 15 minutes or so. Then, once fully warmed up, I came to a stoplight and the car died! Was turning, but couldn't get it to catch and start! Cranked for a while and nothing seemed to work. Had a tow truck take me home. As we were getting ready to push it into the garage, I tried to fire up one more time... it worked. Running like nothing ever happened!

[124JOE]

just for giggles
go grab the ground wire on the batt and give it a yank
if it comes out then theres your problem

ask me how i know

[CajunMike]

Not sure if the early cars have one but check the magnetic pickup. When they are on the fritz sometimes the car will get to temp and die and can't be started again till it cools off. Mine did it for a week and I replaced everything till I got to the pickup.

[christine13b]

124JOE... I wish it were that easy. I've been through every ground in this car, twice. Most of them were disconnected. Terminals are good.

Don't know anything about the magnetic pickup. Not even sure if it has one. I'll check it out for the tip. Thank you!

[124JOE]

ok good

did you replace the condencer its a small round can mounted on the dizzy