engine dies fuelie.

[Bruce W.]

Hey guys here is a strange problem,
Driving tonight and the engine stalled. It is a fuelie that was just rebuilt by Bramlet so I think it isn't the fuel unit. The car excellerates great. So I pull over and wait 5 minutes and it starts up and runs for about 5 minutes then dies. I am running Sunoco 110 racing fuel. It almost seems like the fuel is percolating but with racing fuel it shouldn't.
So where do I start?? Help please
Bruce

[Jim L.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Your first step should be to give Jerry a call. He'll help you.

[Bill W.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Bruce,
Check your engine driven fuel pump, not the distributor driven high pressure pump. The correct pump for your car is a 40083, which is rebuildable. Let us know what you find. Bill

[Bruce W.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Jim, will call Jerry. thanbks
Bruce

[Bruce W.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Bill, Is there a way to check if it is the fuel pump?
Bruce

[Alan D.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Back to basics - fuel or spark (I suspect the TI)

[Bruce W.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

hey Jim,
I did speak with Jerry. He feels might be the TI module. Is there any way to test these? as I sated after about a half hour of driving the engine just quit. It would take several attemps to start it and then I could drive it another 5 minutes before it would happen again. I have no experience with TI ignition. does this behavior sound like TI amplifier? when the car runs you can take it to red line? Your thoughts please.
Bruce

[Alan D.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Do a search on the TI, lots of good stuff and you will find trouble shooting guides relative to your year.
Also an MSD can be made to work off the distributor or see if you can borrow one.
It sounded to me that water has gotten into the Amp, when it heats up a short happens, then cools short goes away. Had same problem back in 1967 and was able to use the MSD.

[Jim L.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

hey Jim,
I did speak with Jerry. He feels might be the TI module. Is there any way to test these? as I sated after about a half hour of driving the engine just quit. It would take several attemps to start it and then I could drive it another 5 minutes before it would happen again. I have no experience with TI ignition. does this behavior sound like TI amplifier? when the car runs you can take it to red line? Your thoughts please.
Bruce

I would follow Jerry's hunch. I have no experience with TI ignition so I don't have any useful suggestions for troubleshooting. Sorry.

Jim

[Patrick B.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

hey Jim,
I did speak with Jerry. He feels might be the TI module. Is there any way to test these? as I sated after about a half hour of driving the engine just quit. It would take several attemps to start it and then I could drive it another 5 minutes before it would happen again. I have no experience with TI ignition. does this behavior sound like TI amplifier? when the car runs you can take it to red line? Your thoughts please.
Bruce

Most of the TI box failures I have seen were the result of one of the leads rusting off the small transistor with long leads whose cap is held in the housing with a tiny leaf spring. But this failure does not fix itself. The TI box is a simple and robust piece of electronics, but they had some gasket issues especially pre-1967. How many pieces of electronics on a new Corvette do you think will work after 50 years?

Before suspecting the box, I would at least test for a spark during the 5 minutes that the car will not start. Take a spare spark plug, ground it to the engine with a clip lead, and attach a spark plug wire. You should see the spark jumping the gap when you try to start the engine. If no spark and no start, then you at least know it is the ignition. I think the chassis manuals have a trouble shooting sequence for the TI ignition.

If you think there is water in the box, take the cover plate off and see. If you take the circuit board out, be sure to gently pry the small transistor cap from the cavity in the housing to avoid pulling on the delicate leads that are rust prone.

[Danny P.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Hey guys here is a strange problem,
Driving tonight and the engine stalled. It is a fuelie that was just rebuilt by Bramlet so I think it isn't the fuel unit. The car excellerates great. So I pull over and wait 5 minutes and it starts up and runs for about 5 minutes then dies. I am running Sunoco 110 racing fuel. It almost seems like the fuel is percolating but with racing fuel it shouldn't.
So where do I start?? Help please
Bruce

Bruce, check if there no spark check coil if is heating up , try another coil and see what happen's, i went through 3 coil before i got a good one

[Stewart L.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Do you have a Chinese coil? You describe the symptoms of a defective one. If so, get an original coil. Also, the TI wire harness coil wires change colors between 65 and 66. Make sure the negative wire to the coil goes to ground on the amplifier by running a continuity check.

[George J.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

Bruce,
You can check the spark by disconnecting a spark plug wire from the engine, and hold it (with plastic plug puller) near something metal when cranking. If you see a spark, your ignition system should be okay. You can check the fuel delivery by disconnecting one of the fuel lines at the nozzle block, putting a clear plastic ziploc bag around it, and have someone crank the engine. I'd echo the sentiments that it is either the fuel pump at the engine, or the coil. I've had them both go bad with like symptoms. Good luck.

[Danny P.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

George, that correct what your saying , but when cold it may have spark but as it heat up after 5 min. it die's , that when Bruce should be checking for spark and seeing if the coil get hot to touch .

[George J.]

Re: engine dies fuelie.

George, that correct what your saying , but when cold it may have spark but as it heat up after 5 min. it die's , that when Bruce should be checking for spark and seeing if the coil get hot to touch .

Danny, yes, I meant to do those things when it wouldn't start.