The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop trying to fire up the 51

Update on my fist fire. Ls-1 in my 51 chevy pickup. Started the day with final checks then proceeded to install the optima battery I purchased last Friday. Got the battery in and nothing put my test light on it and nothing so off to the speed shop to get this returned. Battery in now and click click, took the starter down and performed bench test. New starter and battery and back home now. Truck is turning over but not trying to start. Pull fuel line off and no fuel pressure?? The pump is running but no pressure. Upon further inspection my new Walbro pump has a cracked line on the pressure line in the tank. Wow how did that happen? Brand new pump. Anyway off to Lowes and get some new line. Replaced the line and now i have several leaks in the line at filter and connections. Get the lines tight and now i have pressure and return flow. Tried to crank it a couple of times but it is late so cleaned the garage and called it a night. Engine is turning over but don't seem to be trying to start. Any suggestions or things you can think of ?? I'll check back in the morning !!

Fuel injected, computer controlled?? Like any motor, you want to check for fuel and spark. One quick way is to spray some starting fluid ( ether ) down the throat and crank it. If it doesn't kick at all, you probably have a spark issue. If it kicks then dies, you probably have a fuel problem. Adjust accordingly.

You said you went to Lowes for line, is this steel or rubber, and what are you using? Sometimes the Lowes stuff just doesn't cut it and you need the automotive stuff, that's why I'm asking.

I've heard much more bad than good about Optima batteries. You may want to consider using a regular battery, before that Optima dies on you again.

It sounds like you're on the right track, make sure there is spark and fuel, and it has to do something. I assume you're still running it injected?

Is the VATS turned off in the PCM?

OK went and purchased a spark tester and noid light. Picking up fuel pressure gauge today. I will check these items first then proceed. Thinking about buying scanner / diagnostic tool. Which is a good or better brand vs. any other ?? May need it down the road and seems like a good tool to have.

Take a step back from the fuel pressure gauge and made sure it is actually getting fuel to the engine. Once you know that, you can worry about whether the pressure is right, but first find out if you're getting fuel and spark. Then you can worry about pressure, and then worry about timing and diagnostics.

getting fuel to the fuel rail for sure ? Don't know if this is what you mean by to the engine? Pulled the supply line at the manifold and I have fuel there.

I mean is the fuel actually getting to the cylinders. You need fuel and spark in the combustion chamber.

"Is the VATS turned off in the PCM?" R-Bo. this is a good question, but unanswered. if he knows it or not. with the anti-theft On, everything maybe right the engine may start; but it will then die everytime you try to start it. until the VATs is removed.

Sorry I thought I answered this yes the vats are off.

Sorry thought I answered this, vats are off.

Do you have an OBD-II port that you can check any thrown codes at?

And if you have fuel at the rail, I would confirm it is around 50 psi if too low the injectors wont work. Get a noid to see if injectors are getting an electrical signal to fire. Same thing for plugs, make sure you are getting spark.

Try spraying some starting fluid in intake-if it runs a few seconds and quits then fuel problem.

Did this motor sit around for a while with fuel at the injectors?

OK guy's this is what has went down, I installed a pressure gauge at the manifold and had 55 pounds at the manifold. I purchased a in line spark tester and got spark. Then I checked the injectors with the noid light and good signal. All checked good, then my Buddie told me that I need to check each injector with a 9 volt battery. I put power to each injector and some clicked and some didn't so I kept putting power to them until they all clicked put it back together and she fired up !!

Now that's a good feeling isn't it?

Great news!

Sticky injectors....might be why R-Bo asked if it had set with fuel at the injectors for a while...Glad you got it running.

Cool! Cant wait to hear my LS truck motor running some day. Glad you got it going!


Yep that is why i asked about the motor sitting and the injectors possibly gumming up on old gas.