Virto

No, I only pulled the filter to rail line. Yes, - I'm still pretty sure that the car would like to be with somebody that has more experience and resources, but I know I'd end up regretting it if I didn't at least try. I do find it enjoyable, I'll admit.

No, no, I appreciate it, honestly. I hope it doesn't sound like I don't. I didn't pull the lines off of the FPR, but I'll double check the lines to the front filter - maybe I've got one kinked or twisted.

I changed the front fuel filter at the same time we did the pump. So really, if I pull the line off the rail it should be empty, provided no fuel is flowing, as I suspect. Easy test, though - worth doing. I agree, a fuel pressure gauge would be helpful. I tried to rent one this weekend but it was already out on loan. I'm going to just have to buy my own and keep it on-hand. I wonder if I can find my little inspection mirror...I could tell easily if there's any fuel in the pump inlet line if I could get a view of the clear filter I installed. The fuel sending unit? I haven't pulled it for any reason before.

I've considered that as well, . Since I mounted it up where the fuel hose passes through the frame, I can't see it without jacking the car up. I don't trust my floor jack too much, so I make it a two-person job. Again, it's one of those "I'm sure I did that" things that you keep thinking about until you can't remember one way or the other. Worst case, since this is a POS autobest/airtex/delphi generic pump, it's an out of box junker - I may try wiring the stock pump up to 12V with a hose in a gas can to see if it's still whining after I unblocked the inlet.

ZH - I agree. I actually called the local AZ about a loaner, but they did not have one in-stock. I'll need to break down and just buy my own, since it's so useful. I filled the tank and made no progress otherwise. I have a feeling that fuel isn't even reaching the pump - but I have to wait until I get my second pair of hands back to help me get it back in the air and get under it. Looking at the little in-line filter should provide some insight - if it's full of gas, then there should be gas reaching the pump. If it's dry, then I'll know why it's not pumping. I'll double-check the wiring as well, once it's in the air. Wouldn't be the first time I was certain of something that I turned out to be wrong about. When you primed your pump, did you just pour some gas into the inlet? Once I know the pump has fuel reaching it, I'll worry about testing flow.

Pulled the wire off the solenoid and let the pump run. You can hear it clearly, but I noticed no change in pitch or tone over 15-20 seconds of "cranking" several times. Not sure how long is safe to hold the key in START. After doing this, I re-connected the solenoid and tried to start the car, but there was no change. I have green on + and black on - but there was one thread a stumbled on where a gent with an early 280 had a green on - and a red on +. Hopefully Fastwoman can clear up the '78 wire colors for me.

I'll try removing the wire and just letting the pump run. Sounds like I could hold the AFM open and get a similar effect, as well. Before I do that, let's clarify the wires on the pump - I did snip the existing leads off, as they were encased in some kind of resin. I didn't see any polarity marks on the factory pump, but the casing is so rusted and corroded that it might simply not be possible. I used the typical "black is ground or negative" approach to reconnecting the wires after crimping on new terminals. Watch me be wrong... I did look at a couple of wiring diagrams and at the EFI bible, but I'm apparently terrible at reading a diagram. I have no clue which is the positive wire and which isn't.

Hookay...new fuel pump is in, which was quite the bit of work for 85 degrees and 80% humidity. In-line filter installed between the tank and the pump - all new lines between the tank and pump, the pump and the damper and the damper to the fuel hard line. Turn the key, pump runs for a second. Good sign. Crank the motor - nothing. Remembered that we left our clamp on the tank to pump hose. Removed clamp, turned car over - nothing. The tank is maybe 1/3 to half full...figure five gallons of gas, give or take. Do I need to fill the tank to the top to get fuel flowing again? I've seen several posts that say the OEM pumps are self-priming, but this is an aftermarket crap pump that's meant as a stop-gap while sorting my other issues.

Drill out a couple of screws, bolt in a new fuel pump and drop the car off the jackstands. Of course it's supposed to be hot and muggy all weekend. Yay for timing!

eBay bucks came up today, so I ordered a new set of plug wires (NE61). I haven't swapped the PO's old generic parts store cables before, so it's a good idea and the price was right. The holiday will delay shipping, of course, but it's not a big deal. Replacing little things like this is fairly easy and I can fit it into the budget here and there. It's the under-car stuff that's hard for me. Tomorrow is the holiday, but with most things closed, I'll probably make little if any progress on the car. I need to run out and buy new drill bits and find replacements for those fuel pump bracket screws.

Those things are just too pretty when they're so well re-finished. Bad examples are 100 bucks or more in the classifieds or eBay. I need to replace my rotting 280Z wheel, but at that kind of price, it's not really a priority. I have to say you do some real nice work.

I'm sure the pump was struggling against the blockage, like trying to suck water through a straw that's filled with sand, or perhaps a marble. Hopefully I can get the pump in this weekend and give it a try.

Might be the same stuff. Looked at least partially clear, but that makes it sound like the factory may have done different things with certain years. Sadly, your rusty pump looks much better than mine.

Ok, - I think we found the source of the problem. The PO had really done a bodge-job fix on the fuel pump - They'd clearly had it removed since I found the in-pump filter screen was gone, as if it had never been there. In its place was a solid chunk of rusty varnish. The pump had been struggling to pull against this the whole time since I woke the car up. They also HOT GLUED the wires to the pump - the little rubber boots were gone. I had to cut the wires, and I'll crimp on new terminals. The tank was clean when I drained it, but I'll take another look and drop it if I really have to to wash it out. The pump bracket screws are rusted into the bracket itself, and are impossible to turn, not unlike my fuel filter bracket. To work on it, we removed the entire mounting plate including the fuel dampner. Vise-gripping the bracket screws just led to snapping the heads off, so I'll have to drill them out and replace them. No big deal. Because of that, though, I didn't get a new pump in, so I'll probably be waiting a week, de-scale the bracket and get all my ducks in a row. I did manage to get the front fuel filter out and replaced - the fuel that came out of it was pretty clean, really. I was expecting it to be brown or rust-colored but it seemed fresh. It had a varnish smell, but I'm not surprised about that.

Does sound lean, for one reason or another. Similar to the issue with my L28, but I still have the stock EFI.

Ran out in the rain for a little birthday shopping. Picked up all new clamps that are solid instead of the stupid slotted hose-killers. Grabbed some new 3/8" fuel hose and a 3/8" in-line fuel filter to put between the tank and the pump. The parts store didn't have 5/16" line in bulk rated for EFI - they had some 2-foot pre-pack sections for TEN BUCKS that I passed on. I'll have to grab some later on. New bottle of brake fluid too...depending on how things go I might try to bleed out the brakes this weekend as well.

Awesome link, hadn't see that article before. I'll be keeping a reference copy.

You're right - I was looking up info on the TVS when I made this post and that image kind of stuck in my mind, but that's not located down by the AFM. Do I have to remove the air temp sensor to get at the clockspring inside the AFM? Yes, I'm positive it was one of your threads where I read about the carbon issue, and I've been through the threads regarding adding a resistor or potentiometer into the (air?) temp circuit. With the fuel pump audibly struggling, it's still suspect, so it'll get the swap treatment. I may try messing with the AFM before I put the car's butt up in the air, though.

Plenty of surface rust but that's not too bad to deal with. Hopefully the rails and the floor are in good shape - that'll save you a ton of work. Looks like a nice project car, though. Good luck and congrats.

That little box is the TVS, correct? I remember reading that lean can cause carbon buildup, and I'm sure it was in one of your threads. I also know I've read about the ECU before, but I'll have to go back and search to try to refresh things in my mind. I'll have some assistance this weekend, so I'm likely to swap the fuel pump and install an in-line filter. I'll also pull that under-hood fuel filter bracket and work some magic on it, one way or another.

Here are the plugs, ordered 6 - 1 left to right. I've had to move the car a few times and I haven't encountered the stumble again, yet. Oh, and I'm pretty sure these are BPR5ES-11, so they're hotter than the 6'es. I intended to pick up 6'es but didn't notice my error until I got home. I'll end up replacing them eventually, but they shouldn't hinder my attempts to solve other issues.

Essentially, yes - but there is a copper crush washer between the pan and the drain plug. If this ends up too deformed, it can leak. It's just a safe bet to replace it from time to time. Otherwise, yes, remove plug, drain oil, reinstall plug.

Pretty much. The owners manual doesn't even mention the washer, but it's smart to replace it at least every couple of changes.

No chance to pull them tonight - some pretty heavy storms came through and took out a few trees. If I'm lucky, I'll get to them tomorrow. Thanks for the patience!

It'll have to wait until tomorrow, at best - midnight is not my favored time for running out to the garage to do some wrenching. I'll pull them again and report back when I get the chance. Weather is supposed to be iffy so I'll see what it's like after work tomorrow.