gab440

hi i have a 70 charger 383 4 bbl i have had problems with starting the car when it sits for a while have to pour gas in carb.
i would like to install a electric fuel pump.
does anyone know what is the best pump for this car.
and where to install it.
Gab440

sweeperking

You can get a good one at Napa, install on firewall on right side away from heat of engine but before you do does your choke work?

Archer

gab -

With all due respect, wouldn't it be better to find and fix the problem rather than to add a band-aid on top of it?

First things that come to mind, are 1. vapor lock, 2. defective fuel pump 3 line(feed) problems 4. gremlins.

If you go to an electric pump, the old theory was that electric pumps push and mechanical pumps pull, so the electric one should go closer to the gas tank.

Archer

gab440

thanks for replys my car sits for weeks at a time if i use it regularly its fine
there is no problem with the system i owned this car for 30 years and always
the same problem.changed mechanical fuel pumps.

gab440

i have a manual choke

Mopar_71

I agree with putting the electric pusher type close to the gas tank.

If you do put a electric pump in, may I suggest putting a manual toggle switch somewhere inside close to your reach. That way you also have a "kill switch."

I have one but, the pump is noisy!!!! Rrrrrrrrrrrrr (sorry for the sound effect)

gab440

where did you install it

Archer

gab -

I used a manual choke decades ago. When we finally rebuilt the engine, my mechanic said, "you have an 850 DP on that thing, what are you doing with a choke?" OK, I tried without it for a while - needless to say, the choke is no longer attached to the carb. Even in the dead of winter, she fires right up.

Sounds like there may be something wrong with the carb, so that might be something to look into, especially since you've changed the mec fuel pump a few times. Even a moderately hot 383 shouldn't need a "pusher" pump.

Archer

scotts74birds

When you shut the car off, the float bowls should be full. When you try to start it after a while, is the gas is gone? Are the float bowls draining? Maybe the accelerator pump diaphragm. Are you getting a GOOD squirt when it sits for a while? Without an accelerator pump squirt, starting a cold car would be very hard. Time is free to check things. I'm a poor-boy and ALWAYS believe in doing my homework before throwing money at a problem, or "parts-changing".

gab440

if it sits for a week or two there is gas in carb more than that
it must be evaporating? i owned this car since 1978 and have changed about 3or4 carbs 2or 3 mec pumps changed fuel line fuel sender unit.

it has a 383 edelbrock 650 cfm carb vacuum secondary 10.1 compression
about 410 hp with headers..

any comments are welcome

sweeperking

Interested in selling it??

gab440

no

Archer

gab -

Since you've changes the carb and the pump, how about the lines? How hot does the engine run and how is the fuel line routed from the pump to the carb?

Look, you might end up having to throw an electric pump near the tank, just seems odd that there are (OK, where) so many of those out there that didn't need the extra push, something is odd.

Archer

gab440

it runs between the block and header on right site,like stock.
i don't think heats a problem because it starts up fine.
just when i don't use for extended periods

Archer

gab -

Just for grins, can you put an inline clear fuel filter before the carb and watch what happens when you try to start it up after a few weeks off?

Archer

78D200

I think I'm thinking the same thing Archer.... well maybe.

I don't think teh engine getting too hot would have anything to do with it as this problem would occur after turning it off for a few minutes (maybe a little longer).

How old is the carb? Has it been rebuilt lately? When did this problem start happening? Have you pulled any plugs yet? How often do you change the fuel filters (yes you should have at least two fuel filters - for those who think you only need one)?

gab440

carb is 5 years old no rebuild started doing in 1979 clean plugs every spring
every 2 years i only put about600 miles on this car a year
only have one fuel filter.

the filter i have is clear and seems to have gas in it.

78D200

You should have one filter between the tank and the pump and another filter that has a finer filter in it between the pump and carb. I've read this in a couple of different tech articles when I was in school. FYI.

Do the plugs look like they don't get enough fuel when you pull them? I'm wondering if you are running too lean. Also Where the carb sits for extended periods of time, one or more of the gaskets may be "worn" or "cracked". Do you have any other carbs that you could swap on that are known to be good?

Why did you change the carbs out 3 or 4 times? Performance upgrades or other/same problem?

gab440

yes the plugs are a little carbonized
no don't have any carbs to try
Thanks for info on gas filters will install one from tank to pump

changed carbs started leaking & performance

scotts74birds

I'm still interested in an answer to my first question! Do you get an accelerator pump squirt after it has been sitting for a while? And sit there and watch it while someone else does it! If the float bowl is full, it will be hard to draw enough fuel to start a cold engine by only relying on vacuum draw. THAT is why I ask about your accelerator pump system.

Mopar_71

gab440

I installed the electric pump on the frame, inline with the fuel line to the carb.
The power wire runs to the inside of the car to the toggle switch. The ground for the pump is the frame. The ground to the switch is the chassis.
With a fuel regulator, I get 7 psi to the carb while running.
Good luck man!!!

gab440

Thanks mopar 71 for info on installation of pump.

gab440

scotts 74 birds i will try if the bowl has gas its been 2 weeks
since i last started it.

scotts74birds

Good luck, and BEFORE you crank it over, Watch the carb, and have someone pump the gas once or twice. You want to see a good stream of fuel out of those accelerator nozzles. If not, it is an accelerator pump issue. Adjustment, diaphram, or the float bowl is empty. Either way, we'll help you fix it from there! I'm staying away from the fuel pump because you say the car runs fine. Your comment that it starts after pouring gas in the carb helps. What carb do you have?

sweeperking

This is also why we use a choke

gab440

My carb is A edelbrock 650 vacuum secondary

sweeperking

Ok......never mind then

gab440

i tried carb to see if it squirts it does
there is gas in carb.
but no gas in fuel filter.

jabo51581

What did you tap your 12 volt power into. Im putting one on my 75 Duster, but Im trying to determine the best power supply.......?