Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BardonRedDeath · 10-21-2010, 01:58 PM

I seem to be having problems in my 72 stepside i recently got and it ran fine for about 2 months , it starts fine idles fine however when you accellarate it seems to spit sputter and act like it wants to die (30-50 mph)
I have replaced the fuel pump spark plugs spark plug wires, also rebuilt the carberator (rochestor 4 barrel).

it does have the old point distributor.

it does not have vaccuum to the distributor from the carberator, is it supposed to? All of the other vaccuum seems fine

my question is other than the distributor what else could it be?

new user here with my first chevy WHICH I LOVE any help is much appreciated, if any pictures would be helpful just let me know i can post pics of w/e
THANKS!

treveiger · 10-21-2010, 02:02 PM

I would look into a new distributor. Maybe could be a timing issue? Or a kinked fuel line?

BardonRedDeath · 10-21-2010, 02:44 PM

ah yes forgot to say that the timing was on 8 when i checked it

cdowns · 10-21-2010, 02:50 PM

after the truck runs for awhile take off the gas cap if you here a "whooshing" sound you have a venting problem with your gas tank

'72customdeluxe · 10-21-2010, 04:04 PM

i'm guessing you checked the in-carb filter. mine did the same thing with a bad filter

BardonRedDeath · 10-21-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '72customdeluxe

i'm guessing you checked the in-carb filter. mine did the same thing with a bad filter

actually when i went to replace it there was not one in there this did not correct the problem however

kq4pc · 10-21-2010, 04:16 PM

Hello, tought i would add my 2 cents,if truck has set for a while,could be trash in tank.i had a 56 and a 58 chevy trucks do same thing.the pickup tube was stopped up on both. Bobby

Shyguy · 10-21-2010, 04:43 PM

A lot of good input so far. When I first get an old vehicle I check all the rubber hoses in the fuel line to make sure that they are intact and not kinked. The should be one under the cab and one on the suction side of the fuel pump.

Also I put Sea Foam in the gasoline tank with a fill-up of fresh gasoline.

Your symptoms could point in many directions including fuel supply, but you need to make sure that the points, rotor, cap and wires are good. I see you have already rebuilt the carb and replaced the wires and spark plugs.

A week coil can also show some of the same symptoms.

Start with the fuel system first and if that does not solve the problem go to the ignition system. Do the easy cheap stuff first.

Also you need to put a fuel filter between the fuel pump and carb, preferably a metal one.

Just some ideas.

DeputyDan · 10-21-2010, 06:23 PM

I had the same problem and was worried to death. I tried to correct the problem myself and couldn't figure it out. I go to a friend of mine who is a mechanic he pops the hood, reaches down the side of the motor, pulls a small rubber tube up, hooks it to the carb, and my 350 was burning rubber out of his lot. Apparently a vacum tube to the carb had fallen off and fell down the side of the motor. I felt stupid for missing it but there it was. Check that you don't have a tube off.

BardonRedDeath · 10-22-2010, 06:50 PM

Played with the points.. it is definitely them. dont have a doohickey to set them but my dad set them by ear running good enough now want an HEI distributor would this be a good one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...item4cf09f88ee

PanelDeland · 10-22-2010, 08:32 PM

The upgrade to HEI would be a big step up IMHO.It's probably the best thing I've done to make my truck run better and more fun to drive.Some of the members here swear by the "Skip White" distributors.They are resonably priced and the install should be a chinch with the write ups in the FAQ's section of the board.

aintmisbehavinn · 10-22-2010, 08:40 PM

Also check your gas tank by placing an glass in line fuel filter at the pick up. Probably sucking crap out of the tank.

Mine would die at 3K. Then simply quit after 20 minutes then start right back up; just long enough to suck more crap back into the line and fuel sock. I did everything above including carb and new pump, no go with rusted out tank and sock that clogs.

Don't waste your time or money on everything until you are positive your tank is clean. I replaced my lines and tank, runs like new. If you have a long enough fuel pressure gauge, install, take it down the road and watch the pressure drop like a rock. You won't detect it at idle on the driveway or dyno. It must be under load. Any inline filter after the pump may not show what's really going on, pull the sock and see if it's clogged first, then go from there.

10-21-2010, 01:58 PM	#1
BardonRedDeath Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: rapid city SD Posts: 28	Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside I seem to be having problems in my 72 stepside i recently got and it ran fine for about 2 months , it starts fine idles fine however when you accellarate it seems to spit sputter and act like it wants to die (30-50 mph) I have replaced the fuel pump spark plugs spark plug wires, also rebuilt the carberator (rochestor 4 barrel). it does have the old point distributor. it does not have vaccuum to the distributor from the carberator, is it supposed to? All of the other vaccuum seems fine my question is other than the distributor what else could it be? new user here with my first chevy WHICH I LOVE any help is much appreciated, if any pictures would be helpful just let me know i can post pics of w/e THANKS!

10-21-2010, 02:02 PM	#2
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside I would look into a new distributor. Maybe could be a timing issue? Or a kinked fuel line? Last edited by treveiger; 10-21-2010 at 02:06 PM.

10-21-2010, 02:44 PM	#3
BardonRedDeath Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: rapid city SD Posts: 28	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside ah yes forgot to say that the timing was on 8 when i checked it

10-21-2010, 02:50 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside after the truck runs for awhile take off the gas cap if you here a "whooshing" sound you have a venting problem with your gas tank __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-21-2010, 04:04 PM	#5
'72customdeluxe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tejas Posts: 691	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside i'm guessing you checked the in-carb filter. mine did the same thing with a bad filter

10-21-2010, 04:16 PM	#7
kq4pc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: lebanon tn. Posts: 96	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside Hello, tought i would add my 2 cents,if truck has set for a while,could be trash in tank.i had a 56 and a 58 chevy trucks do same thing.the pickup tube was stopped up on both. Bobby __________________ 36 master 36 master delux coupe,6cly,3sp. 58 impala,348 3 duces,4 sp. 56 belair,302,4sp,12 bolt. 2000 silverado,5.3 auto. 65 foo foo rd,352 auto,for sale

10-21-2010, 04:43 PM	#8
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside A lot of good input so far. When I first get an old vehicle I check all the rubber hoses in the fuel line to make sure that they are intact and not kinked. The should be one under the cab and one on the suction side of the fuel pump. Also I put Sea Foam in the gasoline tank with a fill-up of fresh gasoline. Your symptoms could point in many directions including fuel supply, but you need to make sure that the points, rotor, cap and wires are good. I see you have already rebuilt the carb and replaced the wires and spark plugs. A week coil can also show some of the same symptoms. Start with the fuel system first and if that does not solve the problem go to the ignition system. Do the easy cheap stuff first. Also you need to put a fuel filter between the fuel pump and carb, preferably a metal one. Just some ideas. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

10-21-2010, 06:23 PM	#9
DeputyDan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 165	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside I had the same problem and was worried to death. I tried to correct the problem myself and couldn't figure it out. I go to a friend of mine who is a mechanic he pops the hood, reaches down the side of the motor, pulls a small rubber tube up, hooks it to the carb, and my 350 was burning rubber out of his lot. Apparently a vacum tube to the carb had fallen off and fell down the side of the motor. I felt stupid for missing it but there it was. Check that you don't have a tube off.

10-22-2010, 06:50 PM	#10
BardonRedDeath Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: rapid city SD Posts: 28	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside Played with the points.. it is definitely them. dont have a doohickey to set them but my dad set them by ear running good enough now want an HEI distributor would this be a good one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...item4cf09f88ee

10-22-2010, 08:32 PM	#11
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside The upgrade to HEI would be a big step up IMHO.It's probably the best thing I've done to make my truck run better and more fun to drive.Some of the members here swear by the "Skip White" distributors.They are resonably priced and the install should be a chinch with the write ups in the FAQ's section of the board. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

10-22-2010, 08:40 PM	#12
aintmisbehavinn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lawrenceville GA Posts: 64	Re: Help gas problems in my 72 chevy stepside Also check your gas tank by placing an glass in line fuel filter at the pick up. Probably sucking crap out of the tank. Mine would die at 3K. Then simply quit after 20 minutes then start right back up; just long enough to suck more crap back into the line and fuel sock. I did everything above including carb and new pump, no go with rusted out tank and sock that clogs. Don't waste your time or money on everything until you are positive your tank is clean. I replaced my lines and tank, runs like new. If you have a long enough fuel pressure gauge, install, take it down the road and watch the pressure drop like a rock. You won't detect it at idle on the driveway or dyno. It must be under load. Any inline filter after the pump may not show what's really going on, pull the sock and see if it's clogged first, then go from there. Last edited by aintmisbehavinn; 10-22-2010 at 08:47 PM.



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