I installed a rebuilt 312 in my 57 tbird ,   tarted it up a few weeks ago it adjusted the valves, timing carb and it ran great..    I turned the car around in the carport and went to start in the next day it would not start..   I check compression (good on all cyl.)  spark at plugs,  fuel at carb,  #1 cal. is on TDC and rotor pointing to #1 ..   Check the value lash (good .018).     with a little staring fluid and gas it will run for a minute smooth and it starts running ruff and quits ...     any suggestion ??

Thanks 
George 

Off hand, I can think of some things.  Some obstruction in the fuel system so fuel is not getting to carb in sufficient enough quantity.(possibility that something is blocking the fuel tank outlet that comes into play only when gas is sucked via the fuel pump).  The second is a weak fuel pump. Third is a clogged filter.

Disconnect the fuel line at the carb, put a hose on the end of the line and direct it into some container and turn over the engine to see if there is good fuel flow.  Do this more than just a couple of squirts.  If you get poor flow, start backward toward the tank to find out where the problem lies.

Also make sure that the resistor is wired correctly.  Could be some other electrical problem.




54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

If it starts and runs with a manual supply of fuel, then something is wrong with the fuel system, bad pump, clogged lines, clogged filter, for example.



Lawrenceville, GA

fuel lines are all new ,  i disconnected the line and crank it over ,lots of gas.     I pulled the holly apart three times now ..   I can see fuel going into the intake 

no problem with electrical,   checked coil , points , spark at plugs , cap , rotor ,   checked volts on both sides of the coil.   all looks good..    when i can get it started for a few minutes I put a O scope on the neg side of the coil and it looks the same all the way up to when it stops

Have changed the condenser recently? Many of the new ones are off shore crap..

If you have to use starting fluid to get it to run, then you have a fuel supply problem somewhere.  The fact that it runs on starting fluid verifies that everything else is at least good enough for it to run.
Does this problem exist at idle, or also other throttle positions?  Where and when exactly do you see fuel going into the intake?



Lawrenceville, GA

Is it flooding?  Is that where you see fuel going into the intake?  If so, then either the float is fuel logged/pin hole in it, or the needle and seat is sticking open and flooding the carburetor bowl.  Did you reinstall the spring holding the float up and level?  Did you bend the float tab to get the float adjustment when turning the fuel bowl over to see if you had the 3/8" clearance?  Do you have the bowl gaskets installed backward to prevent the fuel going to the accelerator pump well?  Did you tighten the power valve/over tighten/leave out the gasket?  Just a few ideas.  Joe-JDC

JDC

condenser is good ,  replaced it.      no flooding and I can see gas in the bowl and I can pump the accelerator and see gas going into the intake ..   chacked the floats all good .   even with starting flu it still takes a long time to start ..   I would agree that it seems like carb issues but I've done everything i can think of plus followed up with your suggestion (thank you ) and still no luck...    its crazy 

it may be not enough spark so I will get one more coil (3rd one ) tomorrow,  condenser and points and see what happens...    I do appreciate everyones help ..