79 chrysler 140 won't start

[bman1bpm]

Here I am again, motor has 130-140 compression on all 4, fuel on the plugs, and spark going to all 4 plugs. It cranks but won't start. It'll start and run for a few seconds but dies out and won't start again. I used the boat last thursday no problems, took it home flushed the motor and put it away. Saturday came and it wouldn't start at the ramp and hasn't since.

 

[75WhiteFLoyd]

Re: 79 chrysler 140 won't start

I have been going through a similar problem but mine WOULDN'T start. Did you make sure your fuel line ball stays firm? From there i would trace the fuel line through the pump to make sure fuel is coming in and out the way it should. (Fuel pump kits are cheap) Eliminate the easiest things first.

 

[moparman]

Re: 79 chrysler 140 won't start

bman, have you checked the vent for the tank? I couldn't really tell if you were saying that the plug were wet as in too much fuel or what. Give us a little more imfo please. From what I can tell , it seems to be a lack of fuel for what ever reason[cranks and then dies] and until you can post more imfo ,I would check the fuel supply side from tank to the carbs[ no holes in the pick up side of the fuel lines,vent open,etc.] also check to make sure the chokes are working,and the plugs are clean Keep us posted as to your progress on this ,hope this helps.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 79 chrysler 140 won't start

Remember: Twin pumps in series! Problem with one affects the other and both carbs.

Check out the pumps and the carbs. With a too low fuel level (clogged inlet needles) She will start in choke and run out the prime then stall. Plugs will be wet.

If you do not have a filter between the last pump and the carbs, look for bits of crap in the inlet needles. Then, BEFORE you melt a piston install a Purolator F50153 in line (7 bucks, Pep Boys---You do have them down there, don't you?) Once you do that, the screens at the pumps are redundant--the screens are redundant, (get it LOL) and useless so remove them for less resitance to fuel flow.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: 79 chrysler 140 won't start

I went and messed with it more tonight, got a freshly charged battery, and a fresh tank of 93 with startron fuel stabilizer in it, also replaced my spin on water separator/filter with a new 10micron one.

I checked my pumps, both gaskets and diapgragms looked good, I'm going to install new ones tomorrow..they are cheap..
I tried pumping the ball while the engine ran, didn't seem to help at all.

It started up after a little choke and ran for a few seconds and died. Started up again, seemed to be running good then it backfired and was running but not on all 4 and then died out.

I took off the fuel bowls to make sure the floats were right. The gas doesn't have any crud in it. Either way I put the tube on the carb cleaner and sprayed around a little.

Fired up again with a nice puff of smoke and ran again maybe 2 minutes, not on all 4 though, it coughed a little and jumped up on all 4, then it died.

and no....I don't have the filter between the pumps and the carb, I had one, but had taken it out during troubleshooting last year, seemed to run better w/o, I am screenless though, I guess I'm putting all my faith in the tank screen and the fuel water separator filter.

Is the spark from those CD boxes an all or nothing thing or do you think it may be getting too weak to run properly?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 79 chrysler 140 won't start

Ahhh! I'll give you 100 bucks for that engine---I'll even drive down there to get it. LOL

79 should be Prestolite ignition, first year, quick connects. If the stator is charging the capacitors and they are not shorting internally, they DUMP all their power very quickly into the coils. It is a higher voltage (about 250) than the older system and a quicker rise and collapse of the magnetic field in the coils. That's why the spark is hotter. So to answer your question, the capacitors dump all or nothing. If you have a weak spark it is due to other causes

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: 79 chrysler 140 won't start

oh I mistyped! Its a 78. It has the magnapower... are you saying my motor isn't worth anything but parts? haha.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: 79 chrysler 140 won't start

changed both fuel pumps, new quicksliver diaphragms and gaskets on the pump and the fuel inlet. Started and ran, but still died after only 15-30 seconds.