80 SC won't start after engine out service...HELP!

[KM1966]

1980 SC -- I recently picked up a great little 1980 SC locally as a runner/driver. It had a stripped starter ring gear and had been parked for 7ish years as a result. Local P-Car guru, Tom Conway of Carquip, was engaged by the seller to get back running and sell it. Tom had cleaned out the fuel system, pulled the gas tank, and had the car running/driving well off a gas can once it was started with a tow/pop clutch.

I fell in love with the car (same vintage as myself!), bought it, and have been working on it for the past 6ish months. Pulled engine/trans to address lots of oil leaks(TOD+), tune up, backdate heat, sort some electrical, new gas tank/filter and of course the ring gear (+LW FW, new clutch/PP). Car was in great shape and looks to have had solid service in past (pop out valve installed, lots of signs of maintenance).

Got the engine back in this week but can't get it started. Before I get in deep with the CIS (my first time with this setup - yes, been researching all the troubleshooting), any tips/tricks to get her running so I can go for a little cruise around the block?!?!?! Have gone through the low hanging fruit and can get it to start/run for a second with starting fluid. Haven't taken pressures yet, but fuel pump is working as is frequency valve. Definitely sounds like fuel is getting up to the distributor. I tried to start it by manually working the air sensor plate... but it barely sputters.

I do have one rogue vacuum line that I can't place... starts at decel valve, T's into back of TB, then runs left towards CDI box. Any insight on where it goes? Apparently the 80 WUR doesnt have a vacuum port... I can't remember where it went/can't find any open ports! Any ideas?

Also only threw in a gallon or so of gas... read somewhere to put in at least 5. Is this a must? Fuel system was completely dry (new tank, etc.).

[pmax]

Cruise control.

Check your fuel pressures.

[gazzerr]

When I pulled my CIS for refurb I had to put the injectors in jars and lift the sensor plate with the fuel relay plug jumpered for a good 10 secs to bleed all the air out of the system. You don't want to do this with the injectors in the intakes or you will fill the cylinders with fuel. Also assuming your cold start injector is spraying on first cold start.

If you haven't messed with the CIS you shouldn't need to set the mixture to the baseline - i.e. wind the screw out 2 turns then wind it in until the injectors barely start to eject then wind it back half a turn.

[blpetry]

I'd start by putting a couple more gallons of fuel in it.

[theiceman]

You have nylon fuel lines. Pull them and put into small jars and lift sensor plate with ignition on. See if all injectors prime up and spray.

[KM1966]

Thanks all -- vacuum line hooked back up to CC port (was hiding behind large hose).

Went with path of least resistance... couple more gallons of petrol and got her going. Sounds pretty intimidating sans muffler. Oil pressure really good, level doesn't seem to be reading.

Smoking like a sieve -- looks to be coming mostly where HEs meet cat. Have been reading to just run it til the smoke dissipates? We have emissions in CO -- going to need to get past that to get registered.

Pretty excited. Will button up and go cruise hopefully this afternoon. This forum is a wealth of info.

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by theiceman

You have nylon fuel lines. Pull them and put into small jars and lift sensor plate with ignition on. See if all injectors prime up and spray.

i would still do this . very easy. idea here is to check fuel spray, make sure none are leaking with fuel pump on and engine off and compare fuel volume to make sure they all spray the same amount.

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by T77911S

i would still do this . very easy. idea here is to check fuel spray, make sure none are leaking with fuel pump on and engine off and compare fuel volume to make sure they all spray the same amount.

yup I had my CIS off for a year while I rebuilt. Was a great check for flow rates too , make sure all baby food jars had same amount in them .

[KM1966]

Roger -- will check flows.