Engine won't stay running on its own.

[Zchumley]

Engine is a chevy small block in a 57 bel-air. I can pour gas in the carb and it cranks right up and will run till it burns that gas off then it dies. It had a holly carb on it and I had it running about a 2 years ago. I drained the old fuel out and replaced it. (Thought it could just be an old gas problem)I've changed the fuel filter. Still was having the same problems. Tried sticking the fuel line into a bucket with fuel but wouldn't run off it. And the fuel filter fills up with fuel fine. So I changed the carburetor with an edelbrock I had on my 64 chevy that I had running a month ago. Still same problem. Does it need a carb adjustment or rebuild? Or could it be the fuel pump? Any ideas?

[maxwedge]

Basics here, take the line off the carb see if it pumps fuel into a contain er, disable the ign., crank it over and see what goes.

[Zchumley]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Basics here, take the line off the carb see if it pumps fuel into a contain er, disable the ign., crank it over and see what goes.

When I tried running it off the bucket, fuel was spraying out of the line coming from the filter side. So I know that it's actually pumping fuel, just thought maybe it wasn't pumping enough or at enough psi. Any thoughts?

[maxwedge]

Use a vacuum gage on the fuel line read the pressure side should be at least 5 psi.

[777stickman]

MAX is right on for at least 5 psi.

As far as volume, most mechanical pumps put out 80-110 GPH (Gallons per hour).

With that said. A timed 15 second crank should yield about 1/3 gallon of gas based on 80 GPH.

Hope this helps.