I thought I'd enlighten you with a hard lesson. I just recently completed
a frame up restoration. I set my fuel tank outside to avoid fuel fumes in
the garage, while it vaporized to remaining fuel. I left it out side for
several weeks. Somewhat later, I installed a new fuel sender and installed
it in the TR4. I connected the lines to the new fuel filter, to the pump
and on to the carburetors. I then put fuel in the tank and attempted to
start the engine. After a few minutes of attempting to start the car, it
kicked over and ran, but didn't have any rpm's . Every time I would
attempt to increase RPM, it would stall. At first I thought it was timing,
but quickly determined it was fuel starvation. Here is where my reasoning
broke down. I assumed it was the fuel filter, which may have been
contaminated by dirt in the lines, that I had not purged. I removed the
filter and blew it out. This did not help the situation. I removed the
carbs and checked the float bowls, jets, needle valves and found everything
OK. Still the problem. I then removed the fuel pump and took it apart.
Everything OK. While, it was out I noticed, that there was no fuel running
from the disconnected line. Then the light bulb went off! I must have a
obstruction in the fuel line. I took my air hose and blew the line out
from the pump interface to the tank. At first, there was no bubbling from
the tank, and then a loud bubbling. Put everything back together, and the
car runs perfectly. Why didn't I start with the tank first! Thinking on
this a while, I came to the conclusion that during the time the tank set
outside, an insect known as a "mud dabbler" here in Florida, had made a
nest in the line, clogging it.
I guess, this is equivalent to the electrical trouble shooting question-
Did you check to see if it is plugged in?
|