[PontiacHO]

New valve springs done with cam replacement. back in late December. The fuel filter is in the carb. Also new at time of cam replacement. One thing that I also has me wondering….this new Carter fuel pump has a port for a return line. My Firebird doesn’t have a return so I capped off the port. Not sure if that has any effect on how much pressure the pump can make. At any rate, it’s time for a fuel pressure gauge to ensure proper fuel pressure. If good I’m thinking I should check the float level. The secondaries on this carb never feel like they are fully opening but with a 2.56 rear the only way to check it is winding up first gear. It will run 90 mph in second… Not sure if the secondary air flap could cause this type of issue though. If all of the fuel system checks out then on to the ignition. Where would be the best location to tap 12 volts? Horn relay? I know that the original ignition system had resistor wire but it appears that there’s battery voltage (13 volts) on the HEI battery wire when the ignition switch is in the on position. Any suggestions for a fuel gauge that doesn’t require cutting my hard lines. The pump to carb fuel line is a factory type hard line.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by PontiacHO

New valve springs done with cam replacement. back in late December. The fuel filter is in the carb. Also new at time of cam replacement. One thing that I also has me wondering….this new Carter fuel pump has a port for a return line. My Firebird doesn’t have a return so I capped off the port. Not sure if that has any effect on how much pressure the pump can make. At any rate, it’s time for a fuel pressure gauge to ensure proper fuel pressure. If good I’m thinking I should check the float level. The secondaries on this carb never feel like they are fully opening but with a 2.56 rear the only way to check it is winding up first gear. It will run 90 mph in second… Not sure if the secondary air flap could cause this type of issue though. If all of the fuel system checks out then on to the ignition. Where would be the best location to tap 12 volts? Horn relay? I know that the original ignition system had resistor wire but it appears that there’s battery voltage (13 volts) on the HEI battery wire when the ignition switch is in the on position. Any suggestions for a fuel gauge that doesn’t require cutting my hard lines. The pump to carb fuel line is a factory type hard line.

Takes a little more work but in cases like that I remove the hard line and run a temporary rubber line, T into it before the carb and run a rubber line up through the cowl and tape the gauge to the windshield.

Remember it's just a quick test, you'll know right away if there is a fuel related problem, either pump, fuel sock, line restriction somewhere, etc...
In almost every case Ive done it's been fuel pump related