Need some good advice on where to start folks!

My '82 starts up and idles fine with no problems. When I push the gas while it is in park, the RPMs increase like normal with no hesitation.   When in drive however, I encounter hesitation when...1)accelerating from low RPMs...2)cruising at 55 mph, for example, and trying to increase mph...or 3)when I "kick it", it takes a good second or two for the engine to respond.

I understand there's a number of potential areas to focus on.
These include...

• a full tune-up (including plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and air filters)
• replacement of the fuel filter
• replacement of the fuel pump
  

Not sure where's the best place to start...or if anybody here has had the same problem or has any other ideas for me to try.

Thanks in advance!
JSGarner

I would start by checking the fuel pressure, and go from there.

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Joel Adams
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Hey Joel when I was searching to find info on that speed buffer that was attached to the speedo I beleive I read somthing that could be causing some of the hard to find problems for the CFI or TBI issues. Question would be if that was not in speedo just hangind would their be a fault code?

Adam's suggestion of checking the fuel pressure is right on, as always.  If the fuel pump has not been replaced that you know of, you may consider replacing it. The 82 pump puts out only slightly more than the 9-11 psi that GM calls for on these cars.  If there is any degradation in the pump, your throttle bodies are starving under acceleration.  I highly recommend installing an AC DELCO pump instead of the afermarket ones available at about half the cost of the Delco.
EDIT: I forgot to mention that the fuel pump "sock" or strainer needs to be changed too.  You dont want to pull that pull the pump twice.Crossfire19822011-03-05 06:53:34

I had a problem like that after arriving in Arizona.  After reading the fuel section on this forum, I decided to pull the fuel pump.  There is a filter mounted on the pump.  It had mostly disintergrated.  I think there are 8 or 9 bolts holding the fuel filler neck a couple of hoses and the pump is attached to that...  Even I was able to pull off the replacement in a couple of hours.  Around that same time I replaced the distributor cap and rotor.  The baby ran a lot better and no hesitation at any speed.  I just got a fuel pump from the local parts store. 

Keith

I almost forgot I replaced the chassis mounted fuel filter first with no change in the problem...
kwoody2011-03-04 21:16:26

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K Woody

Hey Folks!

Thanks for all the great advice!

UPDATE! 
Changed the fuel filter...no change...still has the hesitation.

Pulled the fuel pump...waiting for my AC Delco replacement pump and strainer to arrive.  Will be putting in the replacement in a couple of days.  Hopefully, this will take care of my hesitation problems. 

If fuel pump doesn't do the trick, I'll focus on a tune up!

I'll keep you informed!

Thanks again for all the help!

Jeff

With the fuel pump replaced you can eliminate that as a source of the problem.  Hopefully that will take care of the problem.

I have the same hesitation problem with my '80.  I ordered a Holley 80 gph fuel pump.  When I get it installed, I will let you know if that fixed the problem for me.

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Chuck

Hey Everyone! 

Just wanted to update you as promised!

I am VERY happy to report that I successfully replaced the fuel pump with a new AC Delco model...and my baby is now running better than ever!    That was definitely the cause of the acceleration problems I was having!

Thanks to all of you for your advice & support!  This forum is the best money I've ever spent!

Thanks again!
Jeff

KEWL!!

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Enjoy!

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Dave's '82

   

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I have a 1981 with the original carb and PROM and ECM.  When my car was falling flat on its face while trying to accelerate I had the carb rebuilt.  That did the trick for me.

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Glad the new pump resolved your problem 

hey js, do you have a part number on that AC Delco pump? I'm going to have to do the same thing. Brian

and is the pump in the tank or external?

The fuel pump on the '82 is inside the fuel tank. All other Shark cars have the fuel pumps mounted on the engine.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

You don't have to drop the fuel tank to replace the pump. it will come out top after the fuel filler lid, hinge, and overflow apron is removed.   It will require a fair amount of twisting and turning to get it out but  IT WILL COME OUT.  For that reason I suggest covering the surrounding area with tape or towels to prevent scratching paint.  Once you hit the sweet spot where the pump comes out, make a note of how it was turned, you will have to turn it the same way to get it back in.  Before you start removing hoses from the metal tubes at the back, mark then so you will get them back on the proper place.

Hi,

This is the fuel pump assy just before installation.  I up graded the pump to a higher pressure/volume pump.  So, this is slightly different from original.  The 85 AC Delco pump is available and came with the connector pigtail for installation. I also rebuilt the TBIs around the same time. You can see why the assy needs to be rotated.  I think it was counter clockwise to get to the sweet part.  The hardest part was getting the hoses off the filler neck.  I think loosening  the hoses before removing the last few bolts holding the assy on the tank was the trick.
 

You may find the sock and hose falling apart when you remove the old one.  I also replaced the frame mounted fuel filter while I was at it. The filter is located on the passenger side frame.  I seem to remember it was just forward of the door.  Easy to get to if you have it up on jack stands or on a lift.
Keith
kwoody2011-08-06 07:22:24

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Nobody ever waves when I'm driving the Explorer.
K Woody