My Dead/Revived 1973 Plymouth Satellite !!

[PFG MOPAR]

Went to drop off the girlfriends cat at the vet on Tuesday, got back in the car, it wouldn't start.
( 29k original miles, 318 2 barrel stock.... was running perfectly until then.)
Assumed I was "just" out of gas, as the gauge was on dead "E" .. Called a buddy to bring me some gas.
An hour and a few gallons latter, car still would not start. Buddy had a test light, determined the ballast resistor was bad.
When and bought/installed ballast resistor. Car started.. Not well. Backfire through carb, rough idle, couldn't even put it in gear without stalling. Limped car over to a friends garage, dying at every light/intersection I came too. No power.. hesitation.
Replaced aftermarket coil with the original.. Same
Replaced reluctor pickup.. same.
Went and got a control module from Autozone. Cheap chinese crap .. Car wouldn't even start with it.
Returned said module (5wire) and bought another (4 wire!, original was a 5.) from a different Autozone. friend that works there said it was a replacement for the 5 wire !? Installed it and car started and ran better. Re-timed it and all seemed well. Power back, no dead spots. Went out yesterday and tried/finally started the car, backfire through carb, running like crap still.
Almost seems like a fuel problem.. The fuel pump is new and working. Had NO problems before this "event" ..
Anyone have a clue what the problem could be?

:sad4:

Thanks any and all ..

Mike..

 

[Someotherguy]

try changing out the fuel filter, you may have sucked some trash up in it when you ran it out of gas....

 

[Ron 73]

That does sound like you may have gotten some dirt in the carb, Id check that first... One thing is look down in your carb and see if its dripping any gas, maybe some dirt got under the needle, on the seat of the floats and dripping in a little making it run bad, not saying thats it but something to check by the sound of it. If it ran out of gas and all the pumping and dripping gas in if it is, it probably made the backfire when it started, it sounds like a possibility anyway. Good luck..

 

[Satellite72]

I think I would have to agree with everyone about sucking trash up into the carb. This exact same thing happened to me a few months back. My sending unit wasn't working at that time, so I had no real reference as to how much fuel I had. As a result my car started running really crappy just prior to running out of gas. I put 5 gallons back in, ran it a mile down the road and the car started running like crap again. Long story short, after spending days ruling out electrical & timing problems I came to the fuel filter...it had tons of silt clogging it up. Replaced the fuel filter and that helped, but didn't completely solve the issue. I took the top off my edelbrock carb off and to my amazement was lots of silt sitting in the bowl. After cleaning & rebuilding the carb she ran like a sowing machine. This enlightened me to just how much dirt and junk must really be sitting inside the bottom of the fuel tank. I later dropped the tank (to clean and fix the sending unit) and it was absolutely FILTHY with a broken sending unit filter sock. Although the tank appeared in good shape from the outside, inside it was really dirty and mine was beyond repair. Replaced the tank and sending unit and now I have nothing but clean gas.

I just thought I would add that last little part about the dirty tank so that it might help to bring up some of the origin of the dirt... that is if it is actually the problem. Good luck!

 

[RustyRatRod]

If you constantly run the thing low on gas, you're reapin what you're sewin. Drop the tank, clean it out, blow the lines out and put a good WIX METAL fuel filter on it and kiss your fuel problems goodbye. Of course, you'll have to repair whatever damage has been done to the carburetor.

 

[Ron 73]

I have a estimated amount of 243 bucks into a new tank and sending unit and filler gasket, thats shipping and all. That was one of last winters projects, What led up to it was problems like this all the time, i never let my car get even to the 1/4 mark if i can keep from it, running it empty would have been worse im sure. I also replaced lines filter, put a fuel regulator and gauge in but for 243 bucks, its worth every cent, for me anyway i just cant afford to be out and have problems (health) This is only a suggestion but its a project that will save you or anyone problem after problem, lots of guys put there same old fuel tank on the cars again when there done with paint/restore, it saves money but i found out the hard way i saved more money last winter.

- - - Updated - - -

I should add just in case, i ordered the tank, sending unit and the gasket from Vans auto... I know some don't like there service but they seemed to work with me well.

 

[ArtH]

I have a estimated amount of 243 bucks into a new tank and sending unit and filler gasket, thats shipping and all. That was one of last winters projects, What led up to it was problems like this all the time, i never let my car get even to the 1/4 mark if i can keep from it, running it empty would have been worse im sure. I also replaced lines filter, put a fuel regulator and gauge in but for 243 bucks, its worth every cent, for me anyway i just cant afford to be out and have problems (health) This is only a suggestion but its a project that will save you or anyone problem after problem, lots of guys put there same old fuel tank on the cars again when there done with paint/restore, it saves money but i found out the hard way i saved more money last winter.

- - - Updated - - -

I should add just in case, i ordered the tank, sending unit and the gasket from Vans auto... I know some don't like there service but they seemed to work with me well.

Try this. It's called a poor man's rebuild. Get the car running at idle or a bit faster in PARK or Neutral (if manual shift transmission) parking brake on. Wear a stout leather work glove and hold the choke butterfly closed while running up the idle with your other hand. It will run very rich but it will also suck all the trash out of the carburetor (hopefully). If junk is stuck under the float needle or elsewhere causing flooding problem, this will many times. If you are concerned about holding the choke shut with your hand, find a tool to accomplish the same thing. If this solves your problem, don't scrimp on a decent fuel filter.

 

[PFG MOPAR]

Im driving it today !!

First time since it died.
Had a hard time starting it, but it had a smooth idle once I got it started.
Seemed ok pulling out of the driveway.. Stopped at a friends garage and borrowed a new ECM to try just for kicks. NOS made in hong kong! ( not installed yet..) Proceeded to drive to work, car died at stop sign, started it back up, hesitation and died at next intersection. Finally made it to work after a half dozen restarts. Had an intermittent hesitation while driving it also.. almost like it was starving for gas..
The fuel pump and filter are new. about 1 month old.
Will replace the filter tonight, if I make it home.
Could a bad/faulty module cause an issue like this or could it be a fuel thing now ??
I'm about to put an Edlebrock 4 barrel carb/manifold on it that came with the car but would like to rule out "electrical" problems first. :eusa_eh:

damn..

Thanks for all the help..

Mike..

Try this. It's called a poor man's rebuild. Get the car running at idle or a bit faster in PARK or Neutral (if manual shift transmission) parking brake on. Wear a stout leather work glove and hold the choke butterfly closed while running up the idle with your other hand. It will run very rich but it will also suck all the trash out of the carburetor (hopefully). If junk is stuck under the float needle or elsewhere causing flooding problem, this will many times. If you are concerned about holding the choke shut with your hand, find a tool to accomplish the same thing. If this solves your problem, don't scrimp on a decent fuel filter.

 

[PFG MOPAR]

Nos ecm nfg !!

Replaced the fuel filter, old one was fine. I put an inline pressure gauge on the fuel line, reads about 5+ pounds, steady.
Tried the NOS ECM, the car wouldn't start ! :angryfire: I can't figure it out. I changed the plugs and checked all the 8mm wires.
Seemed to run slightly better, still not right .. Not dieing in gear anymore but still hesitating. I'm gettin a CHEVY !! Damnedest thing is that I recently had a 74 Stingray that had the same hesitation. I blew the motor up then I sold it. :jerk:
I'm going to drive it today and will report back later. Any more suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,

Mike.

First time since it died.
Had a hard time starting it, but it had a smooth idle once I got it started.
Seemed ok pulling out of the driveway.. Stopped at a friends garage and borrowed a new ECM to try just for kicks. NOS made in hong kong! ( not installed yet..) Proceeded to drive to work, car died at stop sign, started it back up, hesitation and died at next intersection. Finally made it to work after a half dozen restarts. Had an intermittent hesitation while driving it also.. almost like it was starving for gas..
The fuel pump and filter are new. about 1 month old.
Will replace the filter tonight, if I make it home.
Could a bad/faulty module cause an issue like this or could it be a fuel thing now ??
I'm about to put an Edlebrock 4 barrel carb/manifold on it that came with the car but would like to rule out "electrical" problems first. :eusa_eh:

damn..

Thanks for all the help..

Mike..

 

[Satellite72]

Well, it sounds like this all started when the tank went empty. As far as electrical goes, it sounds like you've covered a multitude of things...you might just verify that your distributor cap doesn't have any cracks and that the distributor is good and tight (hasn't gotten out of time). Other than that, I would think think the electrical would be fine. It still is sounding to me like its a dirty carb/fuel problem. You're getting great fuel pressure through a clean filter, so we know as of now you should be good at least from the tank to the carb. It would probably be helpful to take the top off the carb and get a look into the fuel bowl... that way, you know if its got trash in there or not, and if it does you've found the problem.

 

[Bruzilla]

Sounds like an easy fix. Just drive it to my house, sign the title, and your problems will all be solved.

 

[Ron 73]

I do have to agree it does sound like a fuel problem, This is what started it but one thing you could check with the electrical is under your cap, make sure all the burn marks are on the copper/brass tabs it fires on, or are they off set not firing dead on the tabs.

- - - Updated - - -

Putting that 4-barrel on is a good idea but if its set for awhile the gaskets tend to dry up inside if its had fuel in it before. Rebuilding it might be a good idea, only a suggestion but hate to see you have more problems!

 

[PFG MOPAR]

Damnedest thing.. The car is running better now.. No hesitation (from a standing stop at least), almost normal.. Still not right though. Hesitates and shakes when accelerating hard on the highway. Still going to put the Edlebrock carb and Performer manifold on though as soon as weather/work permits. Maybe in June. :toothy6:

Mike..

 

[Ron 73]

Its been awhile, How are you making out with this? Hope its over and all good now.. yea, i know what curiosity did to the cat.. Ive wondered if it was dirt that worked itself out!

 

[PFG MOPAR]

Still not perfect ..

Starts up better, runs fairly well, still not what it was.
damnedest thing .. :confused2: I'm still going to put the Edlebrock 1405 on it when time/rain permits.
I'm thinking of pulling the 318 out and putting a 340/360 in it. :eusa_eh:
Anyone got a extra lyin around ? :toothy6:
or a hood like you have Ron ??

Mike..

Its been awhile, How are you making out with this? Hope its over and all good now.. yea, i know what curiosity did to the cat.. Ive wondered if it was dirt that worked itself out!

 

[Ron 73]

Starts up better, runs fairly well, still not what it was.
damnedest thing .. :confused2: I'm still going to put the Edlebrock 1405 on it when time/rain permits.
I'm thinking of pulling the 318 out and putting a 340/360 in it. :eusa_eh:
Anyone got a extra lyin around ? :toothy6:
or a hood like you have Ron ??

Mike..

Mike if you do a Google search you should find the hood you want, I tried it looking for someone else here a couple months ago and found a couple.. The shipping is going to be the killer if you locate one though.. My 73 is a Satty, my hood came with the car or it wouldn't be on it. I really didn't care for it when i was doing my car but now having it on and used to looking out over it would miss it lol.. There was one on here as well i think someone had, you may want to put a ad in and see if someone here may have one thats close enough so as not to hurt you so bad with shipping, ya never know! And i should say, You might be surprised what you can do to your 318 to get some extra kick in it.. Ive read numerous articles on it, id suggest a search on Mopar Muscle car site, they had a few different builds that could give you some ideas.. Only a suggestion, I want to do mine in a year or two, i bought two BB thinking i wanted one in mine and have since changed my mind, Im sticking with my 318, not bad now for a near stock one. Good luck however you go, that 4 barrel set up ill bet you'll like the improvement of that on there!