I have a 1957 desoto Firesweep, the car came with a 318 in it from 1972. The car was running fine, but sputter then stopped like it was out of gas. My tank was low but not empty. I filled her up with gas and tried to start it, but just turn over, but it would crank for a few seconds up to a minute after I primed the carburetor with the gas pedal. I also replaced the 2bl holley (thought it might be a dirty needle) with a new 4bl Elderblock. It still does the same thing. I replaced the plugs (7 and 8 were fouled/wet). It could be the fuel pump? I took the pump off and manually pumped with hose going into a beer can full of gas to see if it would work. Sometimes it worked most of the time it pumped out very little gas or no gas. The oil also smelled like gasoline; so as of right now I've drained out all of the oil and I am letting the gas evaporate out of the oil pan. I think I also flooded it from starting too much dunno. I think its the fuel pump - I maybe wrong help.
It could have had a dirty needle and seat and flooded after running a few seconds. Try it again, preferrably with a fresh set of plugs. If that don't work, check for spark and then make sure theres fuel in the carb by working the throttle to see if the accelerator pump is squirting. Also, make sure the new carb isn't dribbling out of the boosters, either while running or immediately after cranking. That could be caused by excessive fuel pressure, dirty needle and seat or incorrect float level.
If the plugs are wet and oil smells like gas, you're probably more running out of spark than running out of gas. Crank it with the plugs out blow it dry clean up the mess. might need to dry the plugs with a torch. Test everything for spark, don't pump the pedal.
I'm with Big Pete, take a look at the ignition side of things too. I've had a few cars act this way too and it turned out to be a bad set of points. If the car has been setting I'd do a full ignition tune up as well as changing the oil and sorting out the fuel system.
Thanks guys I will replace the pump and point. I did put a new fuel filter on and new plugs in her. I rebuilt the motor with large cam and put a double timing chain on it, but I bought a cheap water and fuel pump off of ebay. The water pump did bust the same day the problems started - probably from cranking it too much trying to get it to start. The distributor is brand new, but stock doesn't have 50 miles on it if any, but will check anyways and reset timing. Could the fact that I placed the gas tank in the trunk cause a strain on the pump, since my tank is higher than the fuel line. When I took the pump off the gas kept coming. Yeah I expected some, but gosh - at least I did have enough sense to put an emergency shut off valve in. I think gravity was doing the pumpimg and only time it would get gas was when I prime it, but instead of getting the recommended dose it got flooded? A theory, but will try all you guys ideas you are a big help. I'll keep you posted on the build Oh is yeah is the a special fuel pump to use for guys and gals who put the tank in the trunk.
Did you check for spark? I would check everything you can think of before just throwing parts at it. I would put an electronic ignition in if there are problems with the points, actually I would put it in anyway. Not sure why you think a water pump would get destroyed by cranking the engine though?!? Mechanical fuel pumps **** pretty well, so level of the fuel tank should not be an issue. Is there a kink in the fuel line anywhere?
Had a 400 chevy that did the same thing....pop the dist cap...turn over engine to check rotor movement...timing chain actually broke on my chevy so no rotor delivering spark...new chain and back on the road....
had the exact same thing happen on my 1974 318. turns out the timing chain jumped a few teeth. not enough to cause any damage. just wouldnt run.
pretty sure I deciphered from his Sanskrit posting that he put a double roller timing chain on it. I guess it could have jumped or broken, but not as likely as the ****py stock chain.
I have had the scenario happen with s/b Mopars in the past. Fuel dumped into the crankcase after "normal" operation or a bit of storage previously. The diaphrams can rupture with age. Many of the parts store fuel pumps wont live long either. I eventually put a Carter unit on an old van that is still runnin 8 years later.
Thanks, the engine actually came out of a 72 dodge van I am going to replace the pump and see what she does.
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