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`78 Thunderbird still won't start
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mickolaus
Novice
Jul 10, 2011, 7:08 AM
Post #1 of 12
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`78 Thunderbird still won't start
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1978 Ford Thunderbird, 351M 5.8, 83,000 miles
O.k., I replaced the fuel pump but it seems like the carb still isn't getting gas
Brief history, my Uncle gives me a car that he received from my grandmother. He said he had all kinds of maintenance done to it before I picked it up. I drove it down to FL from OH, with all kinds of missing and sputtering and 4 fill ups. Later he tells me, "Oh it might need a carb". (thanks)
I replaced the carb and fuel filter and it ran a little better, but stalled out after 20 seconds, which is what was happening when I drove it to FL. I tried raising the idle, but there is no middle ground and runs too fast. After a couple months I went out to start it up and the battery was dead, I charged it up and it cranks but won't start at all. Someone told me it may need a fuel pump because it sounded like the carb wasn't getting fuel. Now the fuel pump and still nothing.
You might say, "well take it to a mechanic", well, the car isn't registered and the mechanic that I did have to make house calls moved to another state.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 10, 2011, 7:49 AM
Post #2 of 12
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Re: `78 Thunderbird still won't start
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Remove the air filter, hold the choke plate open and open the throttle all the way up while watching down the carb and looking for a fuel squirt. If you don't see the fuel squirt when opening the throttle, then you have a fuel supply problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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mickolaus
Novice
Jul 10, 2011, 8:12 AM
Post #3 of 12
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Re: `78 Thunderbird still won't start
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Yeah, no squirt.
By fuel supply, are you talking fuel lline? Or possibly the sending unit, etc?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 10, 2011, 8:14 AM
Post #4 of 12
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Re: `78 Thunderbird still won't start
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Fuel supply means fuel tank, fuel pick up, fuel lines, fuel pump, fuel filter and carburetor. You need to get it to a professional that is matured enough to remember how a carbureted car works.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 10, 2011, 8:27 AM
Post #5 of 12
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Re: `78 Thunderbird still won't start
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This is plenty old enough for dirt in the tank and all that jazz and can't pick any up. Mechanical fuel pumps are much better at pushing than pulling the fuel thru.
Sounds like a nice car and worth some investment at I like those engines and is a chassis car which I really like,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 10, 2011, 9:57 AM
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If the carb is empty, disable the ignition and remove the fuel line from the carb. Have someone crank the engine. If you don't see fuel coming out, one of two things is going on. The fuel pump isn't being stroked by the camshaft eccentric (which could mean timing chain problem) or there is no supply fuel getting to the pump.
To see if the camshaft is turning, the rotor should be turning in the distributor when cranking the engine.
You can also rig up a gas can with hose and adapter screwed into the fuel pump inlet to see if you have a supply problem from the fuel tank. If you have a supply problem from the tank, the pump will be able to draw fuel from the gas can filling the carb bowl allowing the engine to start and run.
With the ethanol now a days and the age of the vehicle in mind, it's possible that any rubber fuel line between the fuel tank sender and pump may have disintegrated allowing air into the supply line. Mechanical fuel pump can't move fuel if they are sucking in air.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 10, 2011, 9:59 AM)
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mickolaus
Novice
Jul 10, 2011, 10:01 AM
Post #7 of 12
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Re: `78 Thunderbird still won't start
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It is in good shape, that's why it's worth the time. I did drain the tank before I changed the fuel pump, because someone told me the the fuel pump was in the tank, little did I know. I'll probably change the fuel line from the tank to the pump and the sending unit and see what that does.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 10, 2011, 10:12 AM
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So right guy - the ethanol is causing problems with the old stuff. If fuel does come out as procedure mentioned one very old trick if needle valve is stuck was to tap on the inlet while all put back (fuel line) with a plastic hammer or even a screwdriver handle. DON'T BREAK THE CARB OVER IT, JUST GO EASY. If all is solved and fuel made it and won't go in this carb is easy to take the top off (for me anyway) and replace needle valve and look around.
If full of rusty mud it may come out with a magnet then clean it out with carb cleaner. The kit to redo and clean this shouldn't be expensive but you do need to pay attention on how to do it and clean all ports, make the adjustments as needed if needed and I don't have info on how much the float(s) should weight but that is usually flooding if they got heavy with fuel so forget that part unless it floods out,
T
(Geez - I feel like Fred Flintstone!)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 10, 2011, 3:47 PM
Post #10 of 12
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Re: `78 Thunderbird still won't start
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I've just hooked some up to a gas can and seemed slow to get going and yes - if sucking air thru a bad line would screw it up. Once was able to just gravity feed a carb with customer who had a sense of humor holding small gas can up high on the roof and drove it to my shop. Not a lot of power but it worked and was just an easy fuel pump replacement.
That would have made a hit on YouTube to see - laugh,
Tom
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 10, 2011, 5:21 PM
Post #11 of 12
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What is even stranger is that we had a customer with an older motor home. While him and his wife were on a road trip the fuel pump died. He had some extra hose and ran it from the stove to the carb. It ran bad, but he was able to regulate the amount of gas and get it to the nearest shop.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jul 10, 2011, 5:57 PM
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I've used the 5 gallon can and hose trick many times to test whether it's a fuel pump/carb problem or a line/tank problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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