Tom Jennings wrote:
"Though it might cost $100, you're far better off replacing the existing
mechanical fuel+vacuum pump with the right one."
This is true, however, finding a vacuum operated fuel pump to go with the
vacuum wipers is
tough, they have been obsolete for decades. There are several rebuilders
of them on my
VENDORS list though:
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/AMC_Vendors/amc_vendors.htm
whereas you have to send them your's and about 2 week turnaround, not sure
of cost, you
would have to get with them to find out cost and shipping.
"Most electric fuel pumps put out too high a pressure for older
carburetors
without gas tank return lines and will cause more trouble than they fix,
so
you will almost certianly need to add a fuel pressure regulator too.
Electric fuel pumps are not very good at "pulling" fuel (they like to
push)
so there could be complications there."
Well, yes and no.......a 'electric' fuel pump is a option, but I have had
trouble with
them thru the years. My 71 SC/360 had one, located near tank, and just
seemed starved for
fuel all the time so replaced it with another. Still starved for gas but
have big 850
Holley on the 360V8 so needed lots of gasofa.
I ended up going with high volume mechanical one.....up front.....looks
dead stock....and
what a huge difference it made.
On the 71 Matador I mentioned earlier, it was a 304V8 2 barrel. And I did
get rid of the
combo vac fuel pump wiper suck thing down there and go to Auto Zone and
put in regular
mechanical pump, and never had a issue with carb, leaks, accelerator pump,
nothing, worked
great whether I punched gas pedal on I-10 or just idled. I rerouted the
wiper vac hose to
intake, and yes, only when idled up did wipers work, but hell, vacuum
wipers sucked even
in 1971...AMC was last automaker to use vacuum wipers! My SC/360 has
factory electric
wipers.
One more example, is Eagles have a 'three line' fuel filter, that is a
runoff hose that sends unused fuel back to the tank, so one gas line in,
two lines out. I don't use the three line fuel filter, just regular one
line in, and one line out filter on my 82 Eagle, and no issues with
pressure.
"Vacuum wipers work POORLY when connected directly to manifold vacuum. TO
fix
THAT you'll need to add a vacuum accumulator can."
I never used one, however, I did splice the brake vacuum line and put a
"T" fitting in it,
which worked well on several AMCs I changed out. I didn't do that to the
71 Matador
because no power brakes, had regular brakes, damned thing hardly had any
options, only AM
radio, wheel covers, this is actual window sticker
http://www.planethoustonamx.com/amc_window_stickers/71_SAMPLE_WINDOW_STICKER.jpg
I think a key and title were options on that car, never mind it was SOLD
without a title,
as Alabama didn't issue titles (like ME and I believe MS). So routed the
vacuum wiper line
directly into intake.
"Or, you can simply buy the correct part -- it will fit, you won't have to
chop or modify anything, no 'treasure hunt' for one of a kind parts, all
your existing systems will work. The job will be straightforward with few
surprises."
I think I mentioned before that there are some rebuilders of combo vac
wipers/fuel pumps on my VENDORS list, however, I forgot to mention (I
think) that if one picks up a Hemmings Motor News at arealarge bookstore
like Barnes & Nobles, these are about 2 pages of people and places that
offer that same service, might be one near her perhaps.
"But before you go replacing expensive components, it's best to identify
the
problem first! That said, changing the fuel lines at the tank and under
the
hood is inexpensive and almost certainly needed unless you can remember
when
it was done last. And even if you end up replacing a perfectly good foot
of
hose, that's what, $2? Think of it as cheap insurance!"
I agree above, but to me at least, a quick fix (providing that is what it
is) would be to simply put on mechanical fuel pump. It is like a
electrical problem, sort of ghost in the machine, so process of
elimination, and changing the fuel filter(s) and hoses would be first so
see if makes difference.
"(HINT: got to a car wash of the 'magic wand' type and de-gunk the engine,
especially the fuel pump area, before you do the work, or even if you take
it somewhere else to do the work. Wrap the distributor in a plastic bag or
two. If it gets wet it won't start, but at worst you can take the
distributor cap off to dry it out.)"
Dumbazz award coming up! I took my 82 Eagle to hig pressure car wash place
to spary off engine, as I had changed out fuel filters, hoses, and
degunked the engine. I forgot to cover distributor cap and sprayed off big
mess of stuff on the 258. Cranked it up fine afterwards, but put in gear
and it would die. So walked over to the O'Reillys newxt door and bought $1
screwdriver, took off distributor cap which was soaked. Could not dry it
out but lucky for me the crackhead in stall #12 had a lighter, I gave him
50 cents to use it and dry out the inside of my cap, but turned down a hit
on his pipe. This is Greg Bingham's car wash on Briar Forest at Wilcrest,
a guy was washing his car and was murdered here several years ago; Greg
Bingham used to be Houston Oiler so tough neighborhood.
Anyways, Eagle cranked right up, put in gear and still driving it, but
just had double dumbazz moment, one.....going to that car wash, and
two.....not covering up distributor while washing engine.
Eddie Stakes
713.464.8825
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.planethoustonamx.com
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