1979 l82 won't start - need help!

I have a 79 l82 with a rebuilt 350 engine. Did not drive it at all last year....went to start this year and no go. Battery only had 8v, so I bought a new battery. Starter is tested okay. Harness/plug on alternator was bad so I replaced that as well.

All I get is some clicks (starter gear clicking in and out), occasionally it turns the motor just enough for me to hear it turn (chug), and then I have no lights, no power, no nothing. Eventually the power will come back on. That bothers me.

Any ideas?

After it goes completely dead, I put a voltmeter on the battery side of the starter. Voltage drops to around 2v, then slowly increases back to 12.

Check for corroision in the battery cable ends. Bad about doing it under the rubber covers on the side posts. Also check your grounds.

Found if I pull up on the ground cable where it comes through the body it starts. Figure on replacing that. A couple other questions, for those of you more knowledgeable.

Inline fuel filter, fuel is draining out after an hour or so and it takes forever for gasoline to reach the engine again. Its there some kind of valve that should be inline with the discharge side of the fuel pump that would keep pressure from falling after the vehicle is turned off?

I have removed the A/C, can I also remove heater box, etc....? It will only be driving in the summer, and I want to cut out all extra weight. Would I then just cap the heater discharge side of the water pump?

You might try a new gas cap. I had one that wasn't working right and it would build up enough pressure in the gas tank that it would flood the carb. Your cap might not be venting correctly.

You might try a new gas cap. I had one that wasn't working right and it would build up enough pressure in the gas tank that it would flood the carb. Your cap might not be venting correctly.


It has an inline fuel filter between the fuel pump and the carb that is empty after an hour. So I know the fuel is draning back somehow. Does the fuel pump (should, rather) have some kind of flow-back valve that is stuck open or something?

The only valves are in the pump. You should have a drivability problem if they arent working correctly. Try leaving the cap off for an hour. If it still drains back try the fuel pump. Make sure it doesn't have any rubber fuel lines seeping a little.

The only valves are in the pump. You should have a drivability problem if they arent working correctly. Try leaving the cap off for an hour. If it still drains back try the fuel pump. Make sure it doesn't have any rubber fuel lines seeping a little.


I know it's not leaking on the discharge side of the fuel pump...my guess is the pump itself. It has an inline fuel filter (do I need this) that was loose when I first got it running. sprayed about a gallon of fuel all over everywhere.