added another tool to my collection
 

a Mac Tools VG3-1, vacuum and fuel pressure gauge. and, it would seem, that the problem with the '69 is not fuel pressure related, as it pushes a steady 7 psi from the mechanical pump. :shrug: :help:

When in doubt use a hammer.

"So, like, we dunk the tire in water to find a leak, can't we do that with the engine?" - anonymous Army Pvt quote in the motor pool circa 1993

my ford wrench is not going anywhere near the '69.

does anyone else have any ideas? i'm running out of summer...

What are the symptoms again?

cranks and will start but dies quickly. i overhauled the carb at the end of last season, which was spewing fuel from the venturi. more than one person, including a local mechanic that i contacted, seemed to think that it was a fuel pressure issue - as in the fuel pump was quitting, and since it's a mechanical pump, when they go they almost always raise the pressure instead of lowering it.

i double checked the rebuild, looking for a gasket that might have been placed incorrectly, per your advice, jeff. but all were in order and in correct positioning.

i guess enough is enough. i'll be making arrangements to get it towed to a local mechanic, one that i trust, later in the week. maybe he can figure it out. :disgusted:

That sucks man - hopefully it'll end up being something simple that you won't get charged much for. At least you'll be out cruising soon :)

- Justin

Does it die immediately or can you give it any gas? If you're getting fuel to the carb I'd say maybe an ignition issue or your carb is set too lean at idle.

yeah, i know. i've been through the ignition system looking for shorts and what-not, the fuel system looking for answers. it only needs three things to run: fuel, spark and air. it looks like it's got ample amounts of all three, yet it won't run.

the guy i am taking it to is pretty cool. he's got a gt-350. yeah, it's a rustnag, but at least it's from the correct era. :wink:

Exhaust valve stuck closed / open? Bad seals / pushrods?

Just a wild guess since the fuel and ignition systems seem ok.

only had one rocker that needed adjustment on occasion. it still does, and it seems (since i don't have a valve height dial indicator) to raise as much as the others valves/rockers. i might need to tear it down, but i'd like to do it at the end of the season, if you know what i mean.

the only other thing i can think of is a vacuum leak somewhere. since i can't get it running long enough to check the vacuum, i can't find out where it is, if indeed there is one. i am sure the mechanic will figure it out, as he not only works on newer cars but he also works on vintage steel. and i will try to be present as he diagnoses the car, so hopefully i'll learn something else. :idea:

when was the last time you changed the fuel filter? If it's after the pump, that could be your restriction.

It would have to be a hell of a vacuum leak to flat out kill the motor. Most vacuum leaks just make the car run like garbage.

I doubt its a valve sticking, otherwise you'd hear backfires out the exhaust or intake.

Is your car still points or is it upgraded to HEI? If it's HEI, I'd try swapping out the ignition module to see if that does anything for it. If it's points, get a new condenser and a new set of points.

These are just a few simple things that you can try out to see if it makes the car run any better. Good luck with it man.