suzy won't stay runnin

[torquemonger]

so, i got my 67 mercury100 (suzy) started today but, she'll only idle for about 5 minutes then she shuts off. i just replaced all the wires, plugs, cap, and rotor. she's getting fuel and the carb was just redone aswell. it idle's really nice too, so i'm not sure if its running too rich, too lean, or possibly the timings off, or a combo of all the above. any ideas let me know. thanks.

[cdeal28078]

Are you sure it is still getting fuel when it cuts off? Once it cuts off take of the air filter and shine a light down the front of the carb and works the gas and see if you have 2 small streams of gas shoot out.
Also once it cuts off check to see if you still have spark going to the plugs. I usually put a screw driver in the plug wire and lay it on something metal and turn the engine over. A spark should jump at least a 1/4".
How does it act right before it cuts off? Stumbling and making a bunch of weird noises or just stops like you turned off the key?
clint

[70_F100]

The coil and/or condenser could be overheating due to an overvoltage condition.

[torquemonger]

no noises, no funny stuff, its just like turning off the key. i will try looking down the carb like you said, cause i'm thinkin the same thing... f@$&*d fuel pump. but why will it run smooth as silk for five to ten minutes? and i can rev it up and let off and it will still idle, but then it dies? appreciate the help clint. any more ideas let me know. thanks again.

[torquemonger]

pumping the gas pedal when its not running dosen't give any fuel what-so-ever. checked the spark and to me it seems a little week. plugs, rotor, and cap are new, but not the coil. ( 70_F100)how do i tell if the coil/condensor are overheating? it really dosent run all that long

[70_F100]

When you replaced the points, what dwell setting did you use?

Cheap condenser might not be providing enough capacitance, thus low spark.

Hot coil, low spark.

If either the coil or condenser is getting hot (or, at least considerably warm), you may have too much voltage to the coil.

No gas, huh? Have you checked the fuel filter(s)? Have you checked for trash in the tank? If you've got trash floating around in the tank, the suction will pull it toward the pickup tube and block it, resulting in no fuel. Stop the engine, let it sit a few minutes, the trash floats away and it will run again until it is sucked back over the tube.

[torquemonger]

yup yup i'm thinkin its a plugged fuel line my friends. i just crawled under her after reading a bit more and the canister is empty, thus leading me to beleive the fuel line pick-up is blocked, and she's only pumping what i primed into the canister. thank you all for the help and ideas. its always appreciated. it's nice being able to get help and opinions. i will pull the tank and post my progress. thanks too all who posted.

[torquemonger]

hahahahah...now i have a real good question. what should i use to clean out the tank? should i just swish around the gas thats in their and dump it out, then pressure wash it , dry it, and put it back in? or... just swish, rinse, swish, rinse and put her back in?

[70_F100]

Look inside it once you get it out and get rid of the old gas.

If it looks clean inside, just clean it out, get it REALLY dry, and put it back in.

If it's rusty inside, you need to look for another tank.

[torquemonger]

nothing i can get to coat the inside without having to buy a new tank???

[torquemonger]

has anyone tried KBS fuel tank coatings. i just googled it and they claim that it will cover rust and seal the tank permanately.

[ToughOldFord]

Most good radiator shops can clean and seal gas tanks.

[torquemonger]

thanks "tough" appreciate the help. i will see what i can do.

[torquemonger]

well, i pulled the tank, cleaned it out put it back in, filled it with new fuel, blew out the lines, and still the same thing. it runs great for 5 minutes and then it dies. the fuel filter canister stays full too so i know that the pump is working. it will stay running as long as im on the throttle too. any ideas.

[fordman]

vacuum leak? try spraying some starting fluid around the intake and base of the carb while the engine is running. if the engine revs up then you found a vacuum leak.