Trying to be quick here in case there's a thread or topic on this but I cant find much that is relevant

Car sat for about 4 years before I got it. I put a used 307 (from 1981 Delta) in my 1983 Delta 88 sedan. Got it to run with help of the Chassis Service Manual for it and we were good to go. Replaced valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, fuel pump, water pump, thermostat, and radiator at the time of engine install. Car had a little gas when I got it but filled it up after not smelling anything other than gas. The 200 4R transmission was rebuilt as well. Drove it a collective 35-40 miles after engine install. One day driving it just sputtered out, was going about 35 mph and it stopped running. Towed back to the house. Tried jumping and used carb cleaner/starting fluid and no change. Car fires but wont run. Now for the questions, I could use a little guidance here:

Could it be dirty carb/time for rebuild?
Possible gas tank junk that has clogged ye olde fuel sender?
Could fuel pump be clogged even though it was new?
Something I haven't thought?

I would really appreciate any insight/help/response. My eventual goal is to full carb / intake / distributor swap to eliminate all the extra emissions things and just have a completely mechanical vehicle. Just need it to run so I can move it around for now.

Thank you

 

Carb rebuild time? Unlikely cause of this issue.

Don't rely on the gauge, does it definitely have gasoline in the tank?

Could be a clogged sock in the tank, fuel filter, bad new pump or bad rubber hose in the fuel supply line. The ones back at the tank fail and the pump sucks air vs. fuel.

 

I did change the fuel filter after it sputtered out, and yes I filled the car up completely with gas after the engine was installed. I will definitely have to get the tank dropped for a sock inspection! Planned to get new tank and sender anyway, might as well get it down and see what's up with it. I didn't consider the hoses being bad, will have to inspect and replace when tank comes down. Thanks Sugar Bear!

 

If the tank is full I'd expect fuel to run out of the supply line to the pump if disconnected. If you can do it safely a temporary supply could be plumbed to the pump to test the pump. I wouldn't try the temporary supply indoors in case of a fire...I'm just overly cautious.

 

Before you drop the tank, jack the car up in the back high as you can, take the fuel line off at the fuel pump inlet side, if you have a air line put the line in the gas tank neck and cover the neck with a rag, put just a little air pressure in the tank neck [not a lot of air pressure] then remove the air line, if you are getting a good steady flow of fuel after the air is removed from the tank, the sock is not your problem.. reconnect the line & remove the line going into the carburetor, crank the engine over and you should get a steady flow of fuel while cranking over the engine from that line.. IF no, the fuel pump is bad or the off set lobe behind the timing gear is bad, [highly unlikely]. I have seen new fuel pumps be faulty... one last thing, ck the fuel line coming out of the tank for any splits. they can suck air & not leak fuel. So if there is good flow to the carburetor the carburetor is at fault. possible needle & seat stuck not allowing fuel to get into the float bowl or accelerator pump is not good but engine should still idle if the pump is bad...my money is on no fuel to the carb..

 

emphasizing zl1's advice to keep the pressure low. Too much pressure can rupture the tank, seen it happen.

 

[QUOTE=Sugar Bear;1650392]emphasizing zl1's advice to keep the pressure low. Too much pressure can rupture the tank, seen it happen.[/QUOTE
Yes sir, I too have seen this..

 

All good advice. Yes, I have seen a bad out of box fuel pump. Another way is to remove the line after the pump. It could be a stuck needle and seat as well. I did the air thing years ago on my old Dodge Van. It actually took a lot to bring fuel up to the front.

 

you said you tried starting fluid with no running... I'd also try a little gas down the carb a slow dribble, if it doesn't run at least a little bit then you need to check ignition stuff.. get your timing light out..

Fuel sock should not be overlooked after 42 years of use. probably a lot of crud in gas tank too.. not that much money to boil out or new tank. All new ethanol resistant FKM fuel hoses in the fuel system are a must...

Next carb, new ethanol gas doesn't help our carburetors especially one that has sat a lot. New rebuild kits from a good source have ethanol resistant rubber parts. My eQuadrajet was stuck?? I always send my carbs out to get rebuilt yeah gotta wait.. but I know they can get nasty *** chemicals I can't get in CA and also have ultrasonic cleaners as well if a good shop knows their stuff they can do a good tune on it. Shop I used to use the guy retired, not sure who knows eQuadrajets now.. Actually looking for recommendations..

 

Got new tank and sender installed with new hoses on from the sender and added 4.5 gallons of gas. Car still cranks but wont turn over. Is there a good next move for me on this car? Prior to this issue it would start, run and drive pretty easily.

I plan to add an inline filter before the carb and change the filter yet again.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

 

READ MY LAST POST # 5 >>> CK fuel getting to the carburetor, if no fuel up to the carb, either bad pump or or restriction along the frame rail in main supply line etc. You say this runs if you put fuel in the carb correct I thought I read. ??? if this does not run when putting fuel in the air horn you have ignition or internal engine problems. SORRY I just read your first post. starting fluid will not start this engine ?? you better look into the ignition system, pull a spark plug wire off and put a plug inside of the wire, ground the plug & crank the engine over while checking for spark. If no spark > bad coil,ignition module, pick up coil, ALSO ck wire from the pick up coil it maybe broken. These sometimes will break because of the vacuum advance moving the dist plate around.. Get back to us on what you find.

 

i am a big fan of your suggestion to run air through, ill definitely rally the stuff to do it. i will also triple check all my spark plug wires and check for spark too, wouldn't hurt!
i also have a new cap and coil just in case.

 

Don't waste your time on the fuel. You stated this will not run on starting fluid. IF this were my car I would be going after the ignition system & make sure you have good spark. LET me know good luck...