Alright, I know several of you have kept up with my progress in the New Member threads....well the day has come that I am ready to turn the key over on the car. For a quick history, I bought a '78 280 that had been sitting for a year or two. Since last October I have followed great advice and steps on refreshing a sitting engine. Just minutes ago we turned the key with the coil not plugged up to see if we registered any oil pressure, and we did not. I know it could be simply that the gauge does not work, but could also be something much worse. I am wandering what some troubleshooting steps may be, or where to go to next. Thanks in advance for any help.

Jamie

Have someone remove the oil fill cap on the valve cover. As you are turning it over w/o the coil hooked up, see if oil is being moved through the cam. Just turning an engine over is very hard to detect any movement on the oil pressure gauge........very very microscopic movement.

Alright, that is done... I am working with my cousin (Ex-Mechanic), and he saw oil movement. We then checked for fuel flow at the fuel filter Hard Line....nothing. Fuel pump?

you should hear the pump near the passengers butt location in the right side wheel well when cranking.

Check for 12 volts at the pump when cranking.

Alright, I am finally ready to give you an update.....I have went through all the continuity checks. All tested correct. I have tested the fuel pump for 12V while cranking with small starter wire unplugged, and it tested out fine as well. However, the fuel pump does not buzz, vibrate, or pump fuel. The car still doesn't start. Am I looking at getting a new fuel pump as the next step?

Jamie

try jumping the fuel pump straight to battery just to check to see if it operates. There are two bullet conectors behind the passenger seat under the carpet.

Try starting it on ether (starting fluid, brake cleaner, whatever you got that's flammable) and see if it will fire up and run.

The fuel pumps are fairly noisy when running, especially if you're under the car in a quiet garage. I think that you might be looking at a new fuel pump, if you know that you have 12 volts at the wires, but you don't hear it and it doesn't move fuel. They don't like to sit for long, they're at the low point of the tank where the water ends up if it condenses in the tank. The fuel pump was the first part that I had to replace on my car.

EFI pumps are expensive. The Ford F150 pump will work, with some modification to the fittings, and is a Bosch pump (late 80s/early 90s are the years to look for I believe), if you have access to a wrecking yard and want to try a cheap one. They're external and located on the driver's side frame rail. The auto stores all want $100+ for an aftermarket replacement.

I've read stories of people getting them turning again by removing and cleaning. Might be worth a shot.

The fuel pumps are fairly noisy when running, especially if you're under the car in a quiet garage. I think that you might be looking at a new fuel pump, if you know that you have 12 volts at the wires, but you don't hear it and it doesn't move fuel. They don't like to sit for long, they're at the low point of the tank where the water ends up if it condenses in the tank. The fuel pump was the first part that I had to replace on my car.

EFI pumps are expensive. The Ford F150 pump will work, with some modification to the fittings, and is a Bosch pump (late 80s/early 90s are the years to look for I believe), if you have access to a wrecking yard and want to try a cheap one. They're external and located on the driver's side frame rail. The auto stores all want $100+ for an aftermarket replacement.

I've read stories of people getting them turning again by removing and cleaning. Might be worth a shot.

I was laying under the car and had my wife sitting there turning the key while I took a reading with the multi-meter. Yes, it is in a quiet garage and no I heard nothing. So, I am thinking based on what you said....I need to try a new pump. Here goes some late night shopping. Luckily my wife graduates from doctorate school in two weeks and has already locked down a job. I said something to her tonight about getting a new pump in a few weeks, and she said some unbelievable words "Just go ahead and get it". I may just go with an aftermarket. We'll see.

Update: I went with an MSD Fuel Pump. Got it, installed it, turned the key twice, and it started.....first time it has ran it years. Great feeling. This was about 2 months ago.....just realized how long I have been absent from the site due to football. Time flies

Congrats... those zcars have a tough time pulling the wool over our eyes here.

and she said some unbelievable words "Just go ahead and get it".

You have a good lady there. And a good result with your car.