68 472 starved for fuel

[Trace]

Yesterday I finished hooking up the Thermal Sensor Switch. Was doing the manifold port and had to create a very short vacuum hose 'T'. I had to remove the fuel line to hook up the vacuum hoses. Put all back in place, turned the key, and she spins .... and spins. Basic diagnostics; confirmed spark; confirmed timing ( one heavy stream of Starter fluid .... which I use sparingly), she started right up and ran 2 seconds; confirmed fuel at the carb (heavy pulses); checked for fuel leaks, ...none; checked fuel pressure (4-5  at the pulses, dropping to '0' in between).
   I think I've narrowed it to the pump because of the lack of constant pressure. The screen in the carb inlet is also considered. It was running flawlessly before this, I just don't want to overlook something simple that's only applies to these cars. The manual addresses fuel issues once it's running .....
   If I'm missing anything obvious, let me know. ...
Thank you!

[fishnjim]

How much is in the tank?

[Trace]

Yeah, I thought about that also. Gauge said 1/4 tank and I added another 3 gallons for good measure.

[TJ Hopland]

What kind of shape are the rubber lines?   Maybe they got disturbed?   

[Big Fins]

By chance did you maybe break off the resistor wire at the coil tower working in that area?

You won't have constant fuel pump pressure. That pump operates off of an eccentric and you will only get fuel and pressure on the pressure stroke.

[Trace]

You won't have constant fuel pump pressure. That pump operates off of an eccentric and you will only get fuel and pressure on the pressure stroke.

  Should not a reasonable amount of pressure remain in the fuel line during and shortly after operation? I know on my 'tractor', it also has a manual pump and fuel will push out from the line when it's disconnected from the carburetor after the engine is shutdown. I assumed the same for these Caddy pumps.
  Electronically, she checks out. As statex, she'll run on starter fluid. And as far as rubber lines go, I do have gasoline coming out of the line that goes into the carburetor base.
   I guess this is to be expected from a 52 year old vehicle that's been sitting idle for the most part of the last 25 years.

[wrench]

   I guess this is to be expected from a 52 year old vehicle that's been sitting idle for the most part of the last 25 years.

Bad gas?

Maybe adding 3 gallons to a bad batch of fuel isn’t enough to resurrect it.

[Trace]

I guess I should be more specific. I've run through a tank and 3/4 during the past year of owning the car. 'Til that point, it sat mostly idle in a garage my dad built for it in Baltimore. It's been running great, especially after I set the points and timed it. The partial restoration had been going rather nice until this.

[wrench]

Ok well that should cover stale gas, but you still need to check the fuel inlet screen, if there is one, at the carb...

Do you smell raw fuel while you are cranking?

[TJ Hopland]

Ya sounds like getting to that inlet is next.  Maybe the work loosened up a bunch of crap and its now plugging the inlet screen and or the inlet to the needle.

[klinebau]

Fill the fuel bowl in the carb and then start the car.  It should run for 10 or 15 seconds.  The fuel bowl can be filled from the vent on top of the car.  If it doesn't run, then you obviously need to look at other causes.

[Trace]

I love it ..... no screen!    How tiny is the inlet passage to the bowl? I've not taken apart the carb before but now assume that some stuff has made it's way to the inlet valve. Anybody wanna buy a Caddy?

[TJ Hopland]

Its pretty small.    Quadrajet may not be the best carb to try and take apart for your first.   If you have the inlet apart now maybe try some carb spray with the little red straw on and shove it as far in as you can get it in the inlet and wiggle around while you are spraying.   Maybe you will get lucky and knock something loose and out. 

[Trace]

Update: I crammed an extended carb cleaner straw into the let and bent into the carb. Sprayed and jammed the inlet for a minute total, .... put her back together, and still nothing. I was still not convinced it wasn't a weak pump, so I ran a small can of gas directly into the carb and ran the cars gas line into a container. The car started right up but the flow from the pump did not get heavy until about 10 seconds in. It almost seemed like the pump wanted to be 'primed'. Anyway, I hooked it up correctly and she is running great again. Wierd! Thank you for the help. I have a backup pump waiting for me at O'Reilly's. Judging from the gunk on the pump and reviewing the service invoices, it may be the original fuel pump on the car. If so, are they rebuildable?