Re: Sudden Engine Cutout During Warm-up??

Posted by Mr.Pushbutton  On 2009/7/9 11:20:24

While you are rebuilding/replacing the fuel pump, I think it's a good idea to pull the tank and send it to a radiator shop that deoes the Re-Nu process. A good pump isn't much help if you can't get the gas to come out of the tank.

When I get a new car to work on where it is generally old, somewhat tired and unknown there is a sort of process I go through to insure reliablilty. Goes a little something like this:

Fuel system:
drop tank, remove sender from top, get a look inside (especially underside of top with a mirror), see if Re-Nu job is needed.
Fuel pump: automatic rebuild, latest material from then-now.com
line from tank: inspect, blow out W/ compressed air. replace if rusty.
Carb: see how she runs, choke settings and behavior, rebuild with fresh kit if necessary. Check float, should float

Cooling system: unless absolutely new replace all hoses, check radiator core, see if it needs boiled out or recore (not cheap, but sometimes the only thing to do) and belts. Check water pump for wear on bearing, have rebuilt or R&R. Check heater core too, it's part of the system.

Electrical: check battery cables, make sure they are of the proper gauge for that voltage/vintage.
Distributor:pull cap hold dist. housing and grab rotor with other hand and check for play of shaft in housing. This is a big problem that is often overlooked, I have seen rebuilt engines with badly worn distributor bushings, no way to accurately tune that engine!
The usual stuff, points, plugs, condensor, timing.

Also, a car with beautiful body work, paint, chrome, interior and detailing can have these problems just the same as a tired original car.
Most of this is small, incremental cost/short time requirement projects, the tank Re-Nu and the Rad. recore being the larger investments. But by going through all of these systems in a "whole patient" approach you are giving yourself the gift of reliability, and your family will appreciate this too.
Rmember the mantra "Old cars are fun, old cars are fun"

(rinse,lather,repeat)