63 Fuel Injection - Sluggish At Start

[James C.]

[Paul Y.]

Re: 63 Fuel Injection - Sluggish At Start

I would put a seal in the high pressure pump and see if the leak stops. Paul

[Leo G.]

[G B.]

Re: 63 Fuel Injection - Sluggish At Start

... Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

My advice would be to hire someone with FI calibration experience to inspect your car. It's likely there are several factors contributing to this problem. My guess is that there are other issues you're not aware of as well. For example, your pump drive cable outer housing appears to be the shorter design used from 1957 through 1962. If the inner cable is also the short design, it doesn't have much engagement in the pump shaft.

Here are some of the things that could cause sluggish acceleration from a 327 engine with a 7017375 FI unit:
- low manifold vacuum because of wrong engine camshaft or tight valve lash
- retarded initial ignition timing
- sticking spark advance mechanism in distributor
- lean idle air/fuel ratio
- wrong enrichment diaphragm spring tension adjustment
- weak ignition caused by wrong ballast resister, plug wire grounding, a bad ignition coil, or fouled spark plugs
- leaking enrichment diaphragm
- improper economy stop setting
- sticking needle valve in spider hub
- distributor #201 or B22 vacuum advance canister connected to full-time manifold vacuum
- Chinese reproduction gear pump, extremely worn AC pump, or improperly assembled gear pump

There are only a few people left alive who have enough calibration experience to fully diagnose FI running problems. Even they will probably have to conduct some tests first to know what work is needed. If one of them agrees to talk you through these tests, they will expect you to answer many questions first to avoid wasting time. At a minimum, they're going to want to know who has worked on your unit and engine in the past and what was done to them. They will also need to see many photos of your engine compartment.

I certainly wish you success with this repair. Injected '63 Corvettes can provide a lot of driving fun once they have been set up properly.

[John D.]

Re: 63 Fuel Injection - Sluggish At Start

Jim, Jerry gave you a list of excellent info. Do NOT run the engine anymore as you could have a fire. The hi-pressure pump is leaking. Although we sell a kit to solve the situation it is not for the novice to install. Original pumps are scarce and very expensive.
Jerry's keen eye picked up your drive cable flexible assembly is too short. It is barely going into the gear pump. I would buy a NOS assembly from the auction sites. John

[James C.]

[Mike M.]

Re: 63 Fuel Injection - Sluggish At Start

frank A and John Degregory both reside in penny and both are exceptional FI restorers. mike mccagh

[Danny P.]

Re: 63 Fuel Injection - Sluggish At Start

James, try reaching out to Jim Lockwood see what he thinks , for what I can see you have a seal on the pump that leaking, check your plugs and dwell setting and timing advance setting , like John said replace that leaky seal first.