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Classic/Antique Car Repair/fuel problem on 72 vette

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Expert: - 7/16/2008


Question
i have a 1972 corvette with a 350(original motor) modified with an edelbrock performer intake and carb, also switched to elec ignition. it has a glass inline fuel filter, when i start the car the filter fills up with gas as it should, but as it runs the fuel level in the filter decreases(at idle) slowly down to no fuel and cuts off. now it is very hard to start. when it does start , it wont run at idle. i first noticed this while driving for long periods, the car would cut off at stop lights and when i would accelerate hard the engine would sputter and backfire through the exhaust. the car runs fine when first started but gets worse over time. could this be a sign of a failing fuel pump or something else?

Answer
Sounds like the engine is starving for gas.  Check the fuel pump and make sure the fuel line from the tank is not blocked. The pump may be good and sucking a buble in the gas line.  Blow backwards through the line to the tank and see what happens.  It should be clear.  
I really know about Model a's, but I hope this helps.
 Good luck.
jack

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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jack bahm

Expertise

Only repair type questions on the 1928-1931 Ford Model A.

Experience

Owned one when I was 15 yrs old, and now have owned 5. Still own and play with 2 of them.

Organizations
Oakleaf region of MARC. Model A Restorers Club. I have put several Model A videos on the Oakleaf site that may be of help. Things like how to start the A, how to Time it, how to troubleshoot it.. Go to oakleafregion.org and you will find them. jack

Publications
"More than you need to know about cars." Just a small book for Car Nuts. Blurb.com "Model A Ford Tips and Hints" Blurb.com 2010 Many Model A movies that can be found on youtube.com/jackbahm

Education/Credentials
BSME LSU, 1958, Masters of automotive engineering from the Chrysler Institute of engineering, 1960, MBA Mich State, 1976. Worked as an engineer at Chrysler from 1958 to the end of 1991.

Awards and Honors
Two patents while working in auto industry.

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