I finally was able to get my 64 Starfire to a mechanic, when I got her she was running off an in-line electric fuel pump with the mechanical pump bypassed. The tank had several holes all have now been fixed, patched, coated etc. new fuel lines, both to the new rebuilt a/c mechanical pump from Fusick. Basically whole new fuel system, tank, lines, including return, new mechanical fuel pump now installed. Friday the job was finished while I was at work, apparently she ran real Good Friday, she would sit and idle. All seemed good, today I was going to bring her home, but when we started her, she’d start but wouldn’t hold idle, even after several attempts. Always starts, just won’t stay running. She sat for 48 hrs approx. after having ran for a day just fine. Didn’t have time to troubleshoot today, so any suggestions are welcome before we get back in it tomorrow.

 

In the past I had issues with debris in the needle and seat after working on fuel lines. So maybe it's not the pump itself but junk in the system.

 

Did you use teflon tape to seal the fuel fittings at the carburetor? It can come apart and clog carburetor orifices.

 

If you disconnect the line coming from the fuel pump right after trying to start it and don't get sprayed with gas the pump has gone bad. I think it's the ethanol gas they make today. I've got an old jeep I think I've replaced the mechanical pump more than a dozen times in the last 30 years.

 

Thanks folks, we checked the carb out, all good. Getting plenty of gas actually, but not enough spark. I think the points are bad because after cleaning up the set inside, and putting them back and resetting them, she fired up and purred like a kitten, it was marvelous. However by the end of our little test drive she gradually went back to misfiring. But we made it back to the garage. So I ordered a points eliminator kit, and just a set of new points to have in case the kit fails

 

I have had condensers act that way also

 

The solution is obvious. Don't drive the car on Fridays.

 

Points converter installed. Amazing the difference in having the fuel system redone, and the points converter seems to be doing what it should. I was actually able to fill up the tank and drive her out around a small local lake, and back home, with minimal concerns that hopefully the changing of the plugs and wires tonight won’t fix. The spark plugs that were in there were just black as they could be. The engine was getting too much fuel with the electric fuel pump and not enough spark from the ignition system. Had been leaving a couple of black spots everywhere I took it. My regular mechanic’s father was a professional back in the day he was a godsend.

 

Glad you got your Olds running properly!