Is my fuel pump dying and where is it?

[tanman]

86 straight six with Single barrel carb. Truck died on the road. Started after about 10 tries. She’s done that a couple times. I’ve heard it rev a couple times when idling. There have been a couple times when she will bog down when I step on it for a moment.

I tried to listen for the fuel pump to engage when I turn on the ignition. I hade my ear right up to the tank. I don’t hear anything.

All that said I just took my Mom to lunch and had zero issues. Any ideas?

[Gary Lewis]

First, you shouldn't have an electric fuel pump on an '86 w/a 300 six.  It should be a mechanical pump on the engine.

Second, I've not had a fuel pump cause that kind of problem.  Usually they just quit.

Instead, I think you may have an ignition problem.  Perhaps the TFI module, which is notorious for failing?

Let's see what other say, but I think you are losing spark until things cool down.

[grumpin]

I concur, when I first read this I wasn’t sure if the six had a mechanical pump or electric pump.

But the TFI will act like that, and as Gary said, work again when cooled down.

[ratdude747]

As somebody with a similar setup, I agree. Not likely a fuel pump (mechanical if stock, front driver's side of engine block)... more likely a TFI module issue or something else in the ignition. Been burnt on that one before...

[FuzzFace2]

I would say the same, TFI going bad.

It is a little gray box on the side of the dist. with all the wires going into it.
Dave ----

[tanman]

I agree. This was happening previously and went away. But it’s returned. Don’t hate me but I bought a HEI dizzy from summit. I will create a post in the projects section documenting the install. I don’t wanna mess with this ignition issue anymore. This is the third and final straw trying to fix it. I don’t have a timing light does anyone know how to swap and keep the timing correct or at least close?

[ratdude747]

Uhh... are you still running the stock carb (carter YFA feedback) and ECU? If you ditch one part of it, you'll have to ditch all of it, as it only works as a complete system. TFI requires the rest... so unless the last person hacked it, you'll have more than just an ignition system to redo if you want to go the HEI route.

[Gary Lewis]

Amen, brother!

My understanding is that the YFA will operate w/o the computer, and obviously the HEI will.  But you will have a lot of other wires, sensors, etc that will no longer be operating.  And the system won't operate as efficiently.

It might be easier to relocate the TFI module than to change the system so significantly.

[tanman]

I have an intake and header kit coming next week from Clifford. Also a new starter and alternator upgrade. Will the new distributor work at all without swapping out the carb? I was afraid of doing everything at once. So much to troubleshoot.

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, the new distributor will work w/o swapping out the carb.  But the computer will have its knickers in a twist and won't control the carb, so the air/fuel ratio won't be spot-on.

You'll need to wire in a relay with at least #12 if not #10 wire from the battery to power the HEI.  You can trigger the relay with the wire that currently powers the coil.

[ratdude747]

Should have clarified... by "work", I meant "work well". Air/fuel control will get locked to junk due to the computer likely going into limp mode due to the ignition timing not being ECU controlled.

Will it start? Duh. But it's not a setup I'd suggest driving on for very long.