<VV> 1964 Corvair Monza

[Larry Forman]

Hi Dave,
With these symptoms, I would not automatically assume you have a fuel problem.  In fact, it sounds like an ignition coil that has heat soaked and is in the final stages of dying.  Here are some ideas to keep you off the street until you get this sorted out:

1. Replace the rubber hose leading into the engine compartment if you have not already done this.  It can either swell and seal off the fuel or leak air and starve the fuel pump.  Best to just replace it.  That location is also a good place to install a small plastic or metal housed fuel filter.  Carry a spare or replace regularly.

2. When the car dies, immediately pull off the air cleaner and actuate the throttle and check for an accelerator pump squirt.  If none, then you DO have a fuel delivery problem.  Also at this time, pull one of the spark plug wires and place it close to a grounded terminal and observe that you have a good fat blue spark when cranking or running the engine.  Even better, just replace the ignition coil.  They are so quick to replace that it is often better to just try swapping in a new one if you are not sure.  I would simply replace ANY stock original coil, just because.  I have had good luck with the Flamethrower coils, but others work fine also.

3. If you REALLY feel that you have a fuel starvation issue, prove it to yourself.  Remove the fuel pump and replace the threaded line from the fuel pump with a threaded "T" and insert a fuel pump pressure gauge, or MUCH BETTER, an electric sending unit.  You could even use an oil pressure sending unit, but that will not give much indication on the meter, but it might work well enough.  The danger of plumbing in a fuel pressure mechanical gauge is that if the fan belt breaks and takes out that line, you could have fuel spraying in the engine compartment.  But for a BRIEF temporary test, it might work, if you are careful.  With this approach you can monitor the fuel pump pressure and then if you see a decline in pressure and then a resulting engine problem, you have proven that you have a fuel delivery issue.  Then you can concentrate on identifying the root cause for the fuel issue.

Bottom line, try swapping out the ignition coil and see if that cures it.  Quick check - simple and fast.  Gotta love it! 

HTH,

Larry

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cameron, David" <David.Cameron@nnsa.doe.gov>> I have a fuel problem with my Corvair.  >When I run it for about 15-25
> minutes that car dies and will start but no power is available until it sits
> for about 30 minutes.  I replaced the gas tank and filter sock due to rust,
> blew out the fuel lines and replaced the fuel.  I was wondering if anyone
> had a proposed course of action to see what I should do? 
> 
> Dave Cameron