Running like it should!!!
OK ladies and gents, finally an update from me.
So to make a LONG story short, I finally solved my fuel pressure issue. It turns out it was a loose cable tie on the upper fuel pump hose IN the tank. Essentially, once pressure built up above 28 or 29 PSI, fuel started bleeding past the clamp and back into the tank. Of course, there was no way to see this since it was in the tank. Also, when I replaced the fuel pump I didn't look at the upper clamp. It never dawned on me that it might bleed fuel this way. Of course, it does seem retarded. Why have everything use AN type fittings and then have a crappy hose clamp holding the in tank pressured fuel line???
Here is a picture of the fuel pump assembly. You can see the small band clamps (which have now been replaced). By the way, mounting one of these guys back into the tank takes some finesse. The metal ring on the right hand side sits inside the tank and the screws thread through that. I used two long 14 gauge copper wires to pull it up tight through the fuel pump mounting holes so I could start the other four screws, then I pulled the wires out.
I usually like to consider my troubleshooting skills to be pretty decent, but I have to give myself a "D" or worse on this one. It just never dawned on me that a leak like this could be an issue, but a lot of things didn't add up, although I kept trying different things.
Once again: CHECK THE SIMPLE STUFF FIRST - ALWAYS!
OK, so then I got the car started again. This time, I had a new timing light and it made all the difference. With this light I was able to set advance timing into the light to help me find out where the timing as at. My other timing light was acting wacky, and I am starting to think the light was giving me false signals. The new light worked well and I was able to set the FAST computer and timing to 20 BTDC. Once it had it referenced correctly, I was able to then set timing (currently set for 15* up to 35* @ 2800 RPM, with 5* extra idle advance), idle air settings, throttle position, etc. The car runs very smoothly now, even though the computer has not yet "learned" from driving. It looks like my unknown thermostat is a little bit cold, maybe a 170 or so, because I can't get the car to run hotter than that. I want to put a 180* or 190* into the car.
So the FAST system is now running like a champ. It turns out there were NO issues attributable to the FAST system.
I haven't yet been able to back the car out of the garage, because I have no front seat and no drive shaft. So I guess it is time to work on some of those!
Finally have some wind in my sails again!
Hawk
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Thanks Hawk for this thread. I have a 70 Dodge Charger R/T that I am planning to get running again after almost 30 years of being parked. I came to your thread because I am thinking of going with the FAST 2.0 system with Ign system, so I am very interested in what you are doing. You have me thinking about the Fast 1.0 system or something completely different... Now off to find your cruise thread...
So it looks like there were NO issues with the FAST system - just me! :grin:
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I really don't like sheet metal screws for holding things in place because they eventually get loose so where I needed a mounting hole I just fastened a 1/4" thick drilled and tapped piece of aluminum on the inside, I try to drill the hole that holds the plate in place under whatever is getting mounted. Works pretty nice
That's a great idea. NOW you tell me!!! (smile). I never did remove the regulator, so it is still held on with stainless screws and nuts. It is a pretty reliable piece - it really only has a spring and a diaphragm in it, so there is not much to go wrong with it...
