[Roadsters] Is it a bad fuel pump?

[Pat Horne]

Michael,

Since starting fluid doesn't get the car to fire, I believe there is 
something else wrong. Starting fluid should make the engine start 
without any fuel in the carbs. It may be that there is more than one 
thing wrong, but that is a bit unusual for a vehicle that was running 
one minute and not the next.

First thing I would check if I suspect a fuel problem is whether or not 
there is fuel in the carbs. Take the top off the float chambers and see 
how much fuel there is. They should be about half full and the same 
amount of fuel in both of them.

Are you using a stock, engine driven fuel pump? If so, connect a length 
of fuel line to the outlet of the pump and the other end in an empty 
can. Crank the engine and see if any fuel flows out. If there is no flow 
out of the pump, try putting fuel into the can and hook a hose to the 
pump inlet. Crank the engine and see if you get any flow. If you get 
flow this way the problem is between the pump and the pickup in the tank.

If it is an electric pump, also check for power to the pump and ground.

If the fuel pump and carb levels look good, check your ignition system. 
Pull the lead from the center of the distributor cap and hold it close 
to ground and turn the engine over. You should get sparks.

Check the compression on all cylinders to see if the compression is low.

These are the easy and cheap(er) things that can go wrong.

I wouldn't jump to the dealer to get a fuel pump, they are not cheap and 
the dealer will have to order it, so you will just be throwing parts at 
the problem and quite possibly missing.

More expensive causes are a timing chain or defective gear causing the 
cam to jump a tooth or more.

Once you narrow the problem down it will be easier to find.

Let us know what you find out.

Peace,
Pat

  Thusly spake Michael Knorr

> My SPL311 died in traffic today. It began to sputter and miss on one or two
> cylinders and then just died. Since it was 102 degrees here today I assumed it
> was vapor lock. I got it home via AAA, shot some ether into the carbs to no
> avail. Then I unhooked one of the two carburetor fuel lines from the line
> coming out of the fuel pump and cranked the engine. No fuel came out of the
> line. Is my fuel pump shot or is this still a symptom of a vapor lock? Does
> Nissan still stock fuel pumps for SPL311s? Or do I have to go to one of our
> suppliers? I'm in a hurry on this since I can't get the car up my driveway; it
> has to sit in the street until I can get it to a shop. Thanks for your
> help.Regards, Michael Knorr, 1966 SPL311-03639
> ________________________________________
>
> datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net
>
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
> Unsubscribe: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/datsun-roadsters/pat@hornesystemstx.com
>
>
>
>

-- 
Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems
(512) 797-7501 Voice & Text	5026 FM 2001
Pat at HorneSystemsTx.com	Lockhart, TX 78644-4443
www.hornesystemstx.com
-- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT --