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wb13798 · 09-01-2003, 11:11 AM

took my trip this weekend and it runs some better but not like it should . didnt pull the toad didnt have enough power. on the long hills it didnt want to get on up to the top. floor it and it would just make a lot of noise . like four barrels not getting enought gas to do any thing. and on other occasions it would go like a scared rabbit. on the level it would do 85ph with no problem.
got another trip in two weeks . i need to get this problem resolved. im thinking replace fuel pump and install a electric fuel pump at the tank . maybe not in that order. need yout thought s on this one what would you do.????
al

PeterH-350LE · 09-01-2003, 11:22 AM

pull the plugs and see what they tell ya.
I installed the rear electric fuel pump with a switch on the dash. Don't need it all the time, just for starting and extreme hill climbing. Mine did the same thing going up some passes, flipped the switch and wroooom.

cooperhawk · 09-01-2003, 11:51 AM

My 1984, 345 would also loose power going up hills, flooring the gas pedal would just cause the engine to loose power quicker, had to back off the gas pedal just enough to keep up with the gas flow and make it over the top. Found the rear electric fuel pump defective (ran but wouldn't pump gas) replaced it and all the fuel filters and had no further problems.

wb13798 · 09-01-2003, 02:49 PM

planning to do a major tune up also . plugs wires coil cap and ec module in the distributor.
i plan to pull the plugs and look at them . but i think i have a fuel problem. but i would not bet on it .
strange that i have a power problem the unit has ran like a scared rabbit for the past four years. i have a new carb about six months and it has worked perfect. i may ask auto zone to replace it before i get too carried away with the fuel system. might have trash in it. just dont know.
tomorrow i will do the ignition checks and tune up , since that will be the easy route and then the fuel and electric fuel pump next.

peter how and where is your pump mounted??? what size pump should i install??? im open to suggestions on this one . i know i dont have a lot of room under there/ i need to drop the tank and cut 1 1/2 inch of 5/8 inch hose and reinstall as it is damage and leaks. when the tank is full. full.
i have about 25 gals in it from the trip.
along with all the other things to do this week i will have lots to do.
the wife expects to reclaim her seat for the trip to jackson center at the end of the month. and not be following in the toad.
al

wb13798 · 09-01-2003, 02:55 PM

after looking at the post i will install the electric fuel pump and then do the tune up.
gunters and peters problem sound just like what i have. lol
al

wb13798 · 09-01-2003, 02:58 PM

peter why did you inslall a switch on your pump?? what made you do it. instead of on full time ??
al

PeterH-350LE · 09-01-2003, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wb13798
peter why did you inslall a switch on your pump?? what made you do it. instead of on full time ??
al

I iniatially installed the rear fuel pump for starting. To get the big 454 going, I always had to crank 3-4 times. (A sure way to kill your starter) Now I flip the switch til pressure builds up, depress the gas pedal 2-3 times and it fires the first time.
I discovered the trip saving side benefit when climbing 10k' passes.
The other reason is that I didn't want to go thru the trouble of wiring it to oil pressure or any other safety cut-off device.
The determining factor was full pass-thru of the electr. fuel pump in off position.
You may have read my posts about the fuel filter issues connected with the rear fuel pump. I ended up moving the canister type filter in the middle of the coach to the rear, before the elctr. fuel pump.
You mentioned a carb from Auto Zone. Was it a rebuild? I pretty much killed a GM400 motor with one of those before.
Threw it away and put an Edelbrock in.
Now I am running an Edelbrock on the 454 as well.

PeterH-350LE · 09-01-2003, 03:43 PM

Al, some mounting details.
Fuel flow:
Tank-orange canister-glass filter-electric fuel pump---all in the rear by the tank.
I doubt I will ever see much dirt in the glass filter now.
I know the glass inline is probably overkill, but so is extra wrapping I put on fuel lines where they may rub.

wb13798 · 09-01-2003, 04:20 PM

thnx for the picture . will plan to install when i drop the tank. that way i will have a little room to work. not much room to get in to that hole after the tank is installed. i probably will look for a pressuer switch to turn on the pump i dont have a lot of problems starting the motor. if i cant come up with a switch i will mount one under the dash. i have a glass filter in my tool box dont know if i want to put it in that hole. will move the filter while im at it.
the auto zone carb is a refurbished . it has and was an improvement over the old one. if i put a electric fuel pump in and it doesnt fix the problem card is going to hit the trash but i think the electric pump will fix this one.
peter do you know what the gpm is on your pump?? in other word what size gpm pump should i install. thnx
al

PeterH-350LE · 09-01-2003, 05:15 PM

forgot the gpm, but they have 2 on shelves, on red label and Blue (or green). I have the red one

wb13798 · 09-01-2003, 05:28 PM

you lost me on that one. could you be a little more specific.

PeterH-350LE · 09-01-2003, 06:04 PM

look at my picture, you can barely make out a red label on the pump.

wb13798 · 09-01-2003, 08:00 PM

after thinking about gpm i dont think that would apply. probably pressure would be a appropiate rating. when i get to the parts house ill remember the color coding . and get the rating scheme.
thnx al

wb13798 · 09-02-2003, 10:39 AM

made the trip thru the parts places. seems that the pump is about 40 t0 90 gph and 5to9 psi.
the red or blue label is a holley pump.
im going to go with the holley pump even if it is more expensive. the blue has a regulator on it to set up for the psi you want the red is 7psi 96 gph. discussed this with my friend who worked for a airstream dealership service dept for years and he recommended the holley red pump.

74Argosy24MH · 09-02-2003, 11:35 AM

Quote:

im going to go with the holley pump even if it is more expensive

That is a whole lot more pump than you will ever need, you won't even need the mechanical pump. A booster pump like Peter has will be less than half the price.

John

wb13798 · 09-02-2003, 01:12 PM

stoped at auto zone and had a discussion with the manager about my problem . one of the sales staff is a big block nut . after a long talk i agreed to put a new carb on . carberator to be provided by auto zone. after that i can do what ever , they think i have a bad carb. carb will be avail thursday.
they also have an elcctric pump 5to9 psi at 40 gph for $36 made in malasia the carter is $96 made in mexico. do we make anything ???
i forgot to mention johnny said that he had installed a zillion pumps on airstream mhs and airstream directed dealers to install at the break in the steel line in front of the rear tires and behind the step. i have a rubber splice in that area. that would only be three or four ft forward of where peter has his installed. going to re look at that location.
need someone to tell me where to install the oil pressure switch, thnx al

74Argosy24MH · 09-02-2003, 02:18 PM

Quote:

do we make anything ???

Airstreams!!!

The oil pressure sender is located above the filter, you will have to make a 'T' to run the sender and pressure switch.

John

PeterH-350LE · 09-02-2003, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wb13798
... carberator to be provided by auto zone. .......

another rebuild??? I gave up after the third one.

wb13798 · 09-02-2003, 06:18 PM

got your message. peter
the tank is empty bone dry. looked at the space in the rear near the tank . not much room but on the outside of the frame rail i have a large open space. only thing i see there, is i would have to install a shield to protect the pump . the mud flap would stop most if not all trash . but if the mud flap came off it would be another story. probably will not use that space. i m going to look at the space to the rear of the step. i probably need to get the pump and see how it would fit in the spaces. thnx ]
al

wb13798 · 09-04-2003, 06:36 PM

got the pump installed and the oil pressure switch installed. got dark and had to call it a day
the pump is a made in mexico auto zone pump . 5.5 to 9 psi and 30 gph is the ratings. started the motor and it runs without the pump turned on . ill post a jpg of the pump install later i added the glass filter to the pump . just to insure that the tank isnt burping trash. should be clean but who knows. the filter will tell the story.
dont have a wiring diagram for the switch it is a ps-64 has three leads . gotta get the service man and see if i can find a drawing with the switch. then again i might take the ohm meter and find the two leads ineed.
the documentatin on the pump sucks dont tell you which lead is the hot lead.
if i dont rain tomorrow i plan to finish the install and do some testing and then switch the carb and see what happens.
al