Long time lurker and first time poster. Looking for some direction.
Back in October 2017 I bought an Australian 1987 110 3.5 V8 from Royal Overland in Austin. On the drive home from Austin to Houston, it stopped running. Basically it felt like it was running out of gas, when of course it wasn't empty. It would do this a few more times over the next few weeks, but always start up and drive again after a few hours like nothing happened.
After doing some internet research I decided the fuel pump was slowly dying. I ordered a new fuel pump and other odds and ends from Rovahfarm.
While dropping the fuel tank, I found it was powered by a separate individual +12V source. I didn't trace the wire back, but the vehicle at some point was outfitted with a immobilizer. I think this separate wire could be grounding out randomly or the immobilizer would acting up. This also might be the cause of the random shut downs.
In the end I terminated the single +12V wire and rewired the pump wires to the original wires.
Two weeks ago the stars aligned, I was off work and it wasn't raining. I installed the new fuel pump and fuel filter. I confirmed the fuel pump was wired correctly and running by turning the vehicle without the filter in place. Fuel was coming out. I then installed the fuel filter and tried to start my truck. It initially fired up for a second and then stopped. It wouldn't spark anymore. It cranks but won't fire up.
I pretty sure the carbs are flooded. Due to the vehicle storage location and running out of time I couldn't confirm this 100% but I've flooded cars and bikes before. I'm pretty sure this fuel pump is pumping much better (higher pressure) than the old one that came out of it.
I also didn't check the fuel vapor separator or fuel return line to fuel tank. Fuel should be returning to the fuel tank under normal operation.
Here's my dilemma.
1. I could rebuild the SU carbs and replace the gaskets, needles etc. Hoping the float needle valve will now seal. Probably cost $200
2. Ditch the SU carbs entirely and go to an "american" style carb setup. Looking at $800 cost.
I'm leaning towards #2 since most people post positive results with changing the intake manifold. However, when the truck was running with the original equipment and it ran great. I just want the most reliable and easy to work on setup.
Any other tips before I drop money on carbs? I guess I could install the old pump back in and see if the truck will run, this would only serve to eliminate the suspect wire problem and over pressure but I'd be worried about it dying randomly. I couldn't find any information on the fuel regulator near / on the fuel vapor separator. Hopefully I'm just over looking something simple.
Thanks!
Back in October 2017 I bought an Australian 1987 110 3.5 V8 from Royal Overland in Austin. On the drive home from Austin to Houston, it stopped running. Basically it felt like it was running out of gas, when of course it wasn't empty. It would do this a few more times over the next few weeks, but always start up and drive again after a few hours like nothing happened.
After doing some internet research I decided the fuel pump was slowly dying. I ordered a new fuel pump and other odds and ends from Rovahfarm.
While dropping the fuel tank, I found it was powered by a separate individual +12V source. I didn't trace the wire back, but the vehicle at some point was outfitted with a immobilizer. I think this separate wire could be grounding out randomly or the immobilizer would acting up. This also might be the cause of the random shut downs.
In the end I terminated the single +12V wire and rewired the pump wires to the original wires.
Two weeks ago the stars aligned, I was off work and it wasn't raining. I installed the new fuel pump and fuel filter. I confirmed the fuel pump was wired correctly and running by turning the vehicle without the filter in place. Fuel was coming out. I then installed the fuel filter and tried to start my truck. It initially fired up for a second and then stopped. It wouldn't spark anymore. It cranks but won't fire up.
I pretty sure the carbs are flooded. Due to the vehicle storage location and running out of time I couldn't confirm this 100% but I've flooded cars and bikes before. I'm pretty sure this fuel pump is pumping much better (higher pressure) than the old one that came out of it.
I also didn't check the fuel vapor separator or fuel return line to fuel tank. Fuel should be returning to the fuel tank under normal operation.
Here's my dilemma.
1. I could rebuild the SU carbs and replace the gaskets, needles etc. Hoping the float needle valve will now seal. Probably cost $200
2. Ditch the SU carbs entirely and go to an "american" style carb setup. Looking at $800 cost.
I'm leaning towards #2 since most people post positive results with changing the intake manifold. However, when the truck was running with the original equipment and it ran great. I just want the most reliable and easy to work on setup.
Any other tips before I drop money on carbs? I guess I could install the old pump back in and see if the truck will run, this would only serve to eliminate the suspect wire problem and over pressure but I'd be worried about it dying randomly. I couldn't find any information on the fuel regulator near / on the fuel vapor separator. Hopefully I'm just over looking something simple.
Thanks!