Topic: Lost of Fuel, at wits end now
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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Former Member
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
Joel thanks for the insight on the ignition module. I understand what you are saying but would that stop fuel flow thru the throttle body's jets when moving the throttle level? I may not have been moving the throttle level fast enough to squit fuel but a few others have been around the vette when it did this once before so we may all have moved the level slower, but again not sure.
Tommy


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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
It may well be a fuel problem...I'm not totally discounting that at all...it just sounds more like an ignition failure. IF the carb was running out of fuel while idling, it wouldn't just shut off quickly...it would stumble for a little bit then die.
You could maybe carry a small bottle of fuel with you...something with a top that would allow you to pull the top of the air cleaner off, and squirt just a bit of fuel into the vent of the carb, then see if it would start right up. If it does, then you need to determine what the heck else in the fuel system needs attention. If it still won't fire off like that, then it points more to the ignition area. BE extremely careful if pouring any fuel into the carb when the engine is hot!!! Don't try to use a soda can or such!
You could maybe carry a small bottle of fuel with you...something with a top that would allow you to pull the top of the air cleaner off, and squirt just a bit of fuel into the vent of the carb, then see if it would start right up. If it does, then you need to determine what the heck else in the fuel system needs attention. If it still won't fire off like that, then it points more to the ignition area. BE extremely careful if pouring any fuel into the carb when the engine is hot!!! Don't try to use a soda can or such!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
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A can of starter fluid in a spray can might be a little bit easier and a lot safer! A fire extinguisher might be needed also! I do like fire though..I had a few take off on me and it was no fun explaining that one..the module does make perfect sense and is very easy and cheap to pop in..
Rich
Rich

My first parade at Carlisle 2010
Former Member
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
Joel when it stopped it was not just like the switch being turned off but did sorta just idle down. Before when it happened on the road I had just stopped and fueled up, started and drove off and about 100-200 feet she just die out and I coasted to a safe spot. And had no fuel coming thru jets in the carb then either and had 3 other vette's owner and one of them a good mechanic stop to assist. They felt the fuel pump so I did swap that out as well as doing all the other work to the fuel system to hopefully remove and other problems.
One major light that has come from the replys is that I did have 2 thick fabric spacers between the carb and maniford before but when placed the new carb on I only used 1 spacer so gonna go back and add the second one anyway, can't hurt and at least maybe reduce heat to the carb.
I need to address upgrading the ignition system and dist as well to know all parts are at least newer than now so will probably be swapping out cap, module etc soon anyway.
Tommy


Former Member
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
Dan thanks for your offer to have the corvette mechanic see this post, I look forward to hearing his thoughts.
Tommy



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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
It is entirely possible that the float in the carb has swollen up, and is sticking to the sides of the bowl. The float is made of a resin type material, and they will soak up fuel and expand. New or not, it can happen. You've done so much to the fuel system, that the carb is really the only other thing that could cause a fuel starving issue.
The check valve in the filter can be removed, but I doubt it is the problem...its only purpose is to keep fuel from draining back out of the carb.
Adding the second spacer/insulator under the carb might help, I s'pose, if it is heat related. The Q-jet should have a thick gasket under it. You might want to check and see if your heat riser(on the pass side exhaust) is working properly. If it is stuck closed, it can certainly push more heat thru the bottom of the intake, and thus transfering the heat to the carb...
The check valve in the filter can be removed, but I doubt it is the problem...its only purpose is to keep fuel from draining back out of the carb.
Adding the second spacer/insulator under the carb might help, I s'pose, if it is heat related. The Q-jet should have a thick gasket under it. You might want to check and see if your heat riser(on the pass side exhaust) is working properly. If it is stuck closed, it can certainly push more heat thru the bottom of the intake, and thus transfering the heat to the carb...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
Well installed second thick spacer today and she ran okay, a couple of short road runs. Then when got back in the garage and shut it down.........antifreeze started out from under engine...but found clamp lose on line from radiatior neck to overflow jug so tigthen it up and hopefully fixed that.
On the heat riser on r/s air cleaner will check that too to see if opening properly. I checked the l/s a week or so back it it was doing okay, but will recheck the r/s.
Thanks to one and all for the comments, Chip told me this was a great group of folks and you are. This beautiful vette is not going to whip me, I will get her right.
Tommy



Moderator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The heat riser I was referring to is in the exhaust, right where the head pipe bolts up to the manifold. On your '81, the heat riser will be vacuum operated, so you should see a small metal tube going down to the riser valve itself. There will only be the one on the pass side exhaust.
I think what you are describing that you checked is the valves on the bottom of the air cleaner wings/inlets? While those being stuck OPEN would also contribute to excess heat to the carb, I can't see them causing your problem.
I think what you are describing that you checked is the valves on the bottom of the air cleaner wings/inlets? While those being stuck OPEN would also contribute to excess heat to the carb, I can't see them causing your problem.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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