Wont start after a long "rest"..

FIRST, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GAS IN THE TANK.

1. Make certain the vent on the gas tank works so that you don't have a vacuum condition in the tank preventing the flow of fuel.

2. Check and REPLACE your fuel filter (do this anyway). There's a fabric/nylon "sock" that originally covered the end of the pick up tube in the fuel tank and it's notorious for deteriorating and clogging fuel filters and lines.

3. Check/clean the integral fuel filter on your carburetor if you have a Holley carb (usually located inside the body where the fuel line enters). Check the Holley website for manuals or diagrams for your model to find the exact location.

4. Remove the fuel line from the fuel pump (elevate or plug to avoid spilling gas all over the floor); remove the gas cap; then carefully blow compressed air into the fuel line to make certain nothing is stuck in there blocking fuel flow; replace gas cap and reattach to fuel pump.

5. Clean the inside of the fuel tank. There are posts on this board and the DeTomaso Mail List about different methods of doing this, from using a drill driven pump to suck crap off the floor of the tank to removing the drain plug and spraying out the tank with water pressure to rinse all the debris out, then allowing it to dry before replacing the drain plug and refilling with clean fuel.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

If your motor has the original Ford (MotorCraft)
carb it has a screw in fuel filter. Follow your fuel line on the driver's side (it is metal) up to the carb. The metal line will transition to a short rubber hose. The screw in filter attaches to the rubber line. The small screen filter easily clogs up. Your description sounds exactly like mine before I replaced the carb.

The filter should not be too hard to find. If you can not find a replacement used compressed air to clean out enough to get some fuel flow. If you tank is very low you are sucking up a lot of crap which will continue to clog the filter.

As Garth said you need to clean out the tank. I highly recommend replacing all of your fuel lines ASAP. Many of us (including myself) take them for granted yours might still be the original lines.

If you decide to stay with the OEM fuel filter, I would be glad to buy as many as you want. The last time I bought them I think they were less than $10 a piece with new clamps and rubber hose.

Good Luck, and congrats on your new “Beast” !

Jeff

To my fellow Viking ... I was in the same boat a few months back. My fix was chronicled (with lots of pictures - I love the pix!) here.

Garth 's step-by-step process will take you where you need to go ... however, I suggest merely blowing through the vacuum line (into your fuel cell) BEFORE attempting to use a compressor. I was able to blow the "sock" off myself. As soon as you hear the gas bubbling, you know you have no worries with the vacuum side of your fuel line. Then turn your attention to the pump itself and the pressure line (with a new inlet filter).

quote:

Originally posted by lambolp400s:
FINALLY, I got my car today. After waiting some two months for it, it was finally unloaded today. BUT, as we was to start it, it just turned over, but did not fire. Took of the aircleaner and tried to pour a bit of fuel in the carb, and: DAMN IT WAS LOUD (for some seconds). And then it died again... Tried this many times with the same result. Obviously the car gets no gas, but is there any tricks I can use specific for the Pantera? Is this normal on a Pantera That has been unused for a long time? Did'nt have the equipment to start fixing it, and the freight-company had to close so I had to give it up for the day. Advices?

Sounds familar to me...

Try to isolate the problem to the tank, fuelpump, filter, or the carb. I ended up "hot tanking" the tank, replacing the fuel lines and the carb.

And as we say in norwegian: Gratulerer med Pantera!


Egil, Bergen

So what did the trick? What was the problem and how did you fix it? Inquiring minds want to know.

Ditto on the fuel filter. HAD THE SAME EXACT SCENARIO when I got my car back after 5 months of work. It was the filter, pure and simple. Best wishes and let us know.

The carb is a Holley 4150 series, I think. Tried to blow myself throu the fuelline, and with no resistance i could blow so i heard the air exiting in the fuel in the tank. Then I sucked the fuel back until it came out from the short rubberhose continuing from the solid fuelline that is on the car. Tried to start the engine now. Only a little drop of fuel popped out from the line. Not good I guess, thinking it must be the fuelpump. Attached the fuelline again just to see, and nothing happend:-( Have not worked on this car before, but if it is a mecanical pump attached at the engines front, it seems like the seats and firewall is coming out to reach it?

PS: Is it the fuel filter that can be seen partially hidden behind the fueltank-shield in top of the picture?

PSS: Anyone have a high res photo of the front of the engine when the firewall is removed? Please send it to paalgrova@yahoo.com if it is to big to post here.

Yes, that looks like the fuel filter. Although I don't think you need to pull the interior and firewall cover to change the mechanical fuel pump. I think you can do it from under the car. But replace the filter first and try again before replacing the pump.

Half way down this page is a picture of the front of my engine:
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/updates_distrinstall.htm

I replaced my fuel pump earlier this year. I was also replacing my belts and had to remove the bulkhead cover. The fuel pump was much easier to access. It would also give you the chance to inspect the condition of your belts, water pump, harmonic balancer and the condition of your top hoses etc. Or if you have a mechanical distributor, replace the cap, rotor and points.

I am sure that you are anxious to get the car on the road, but you do not want to get stranded later. Preventative maintenance will be your best friend.

Jeff

As you say, Pantera 4134, I'm trying to run slowly now, and don't rush it and have things done half way.

Yes you can get to the fuel pump from under the car. Sometimes it's a bit tough to get back in. It depends on the location of the excentric that the fuel pump lever rudes on. You can bump the starter to rotate the excentric on the end of the cam at the timing gear. If you can get the excentric on a low spot you take some of the pressure on the pump lever and the pump is easier to bolt in place. To check the fuel pump before replacing it disconnect the fuel line at the carb and put the end into a bottle of some sort. Crank the engine and you should see fuel squirt out of the hose into the bottle. If not your pump is shot.