I just reinstalled my rebuilt engine and I cannot keep it running. It fires up and immediately dies. I've tried to give it gas to keep it running but it makes no difference..

Car has a new dynaspark opti, the fuel pressure is right around 40-42psi also.

Here's the question though. The car has sat for approximately 5yrs and I'm trying to start it with the same gas from 5 years ago. Do you all think this could be the problem?

Thanks
Travis

 

Gas could very well be the problem, how much is left in the tank?

Another problem that coudl cause it is a extreme vacumn leak, like if you forgot to hook up the break booster vacumn line the car will start but not run.

 

Its got around a 1/2 tank in it still.

I'm gonna check again for vaccum leaks and see what I come up with. I think I'll for sure try and get fresh gas in it.

Thanks!
Travis

 

probably not "bad gas"... gasoline may not be in perfect shape after 5 years but it will still burn. Might not get peak performance but the motor should still run. It wont hurt to change it out but its probably not the cause of your problem.

recheck everything.... plugs, wires, lines ect. Sounds like you may have a vaccum leak.

 

I would definitely get the gas out of the tank if it's been in there for 5 years.

 

Gas will definately varnish after 5 years, especially without some kind of stabilizer. The best way that I've found to empty the tank out is to use the fuel pump prime connector and pull the fule line off of the rail. Just be sure you change your filter after you get it empty.

 

Another thing to check is your VATS system. If your computer cannot read the pellet in your key, it will let the car fire up and then immediately die. I had that problem in a LT1 Caprice.

 

Well I jumped my fuel pump relay and pumped out all the old gas with the same results. I'm gonna change the fuel filter tomorrow and see what that does.

I noticed the fuel pressure goes from 42 to 36 right before it dies.

Also as far as I can tell all the vacuum ports on the intake and intake tract are closed off.

Thanks
Travis

 

Put a volt meter on the input into the fuel pump and see what happens.

 

Alright i'll try that tomorrow...

It's weird it will start for 1-2 sec and then just dies like the fuel or spark is cut off.

 

Symptoms match a dying fuel pump.

 

Ok....Changed the fuel filter and same result. Also checked the Voltage to the pump when it starts for the split sec and it was around 11.5v. I don't have my alternator hooked up at the moment. I was watching the pressure again and it didn't seem to come off of 42 psi. I had the vacuum line off of the fpr that at that time.

I did keep it running one time by spraying starter fluid into the TB with the blades partially cracked open. So it sounds like its getting spark but no fuel?

I also checked the injectors by using a 9v battery. I can hear them click and I was able to spray starter fluid through them.

 

.....hook that **** up

 

Got the car to run tonight.

Swapped in a computer I had laying around and it fired right up.

Thanks for all the help!
Travis