Does anyone know much about the GM 350's?

[troid123]

I have a buddy that just bought a 1995 Chevy Z71 w/ 125,000 miles on it. It was running great and then out of no where it seems like it just does not want to run. Engine will start sputter, then go back to idle, sputter, some times die. I told him to replace the fuel filter and plugs/wires. This did not help at all. He had run it almost completely out of gas the week before and I am thinking that has something to do w/ it. Could it be the fuel pump?? Any suggestions would be great!

[TwinTurboStroker]

Originally Posted by troid123

I have a buddy that just bought a 1995 Chevy Z71 w/ 125,000 miles on it. It was running great and then out of no where it seems like it just does not want to run. Engine will start sputter, then go back to idle, sputter, some times die. I told him to replace the fuel filter and plugs/wires. This did not help at all. He had run it almost completely out of gas the week before and I am thinking that has something to do w/ it. Could it be the fuel pump?? Any suggestions would be great!

Well......is it the TBI 350 or Vortec 350? I don't remember what year the Vortec started

[troid123]

I dont think it is the vortec. It looks like it is a carbuerated motor. Does that help?

[TwinTurboStroker]

Originally Posted by troid123

I dont think it is the vortec. It looks like it is a carbuerated motor. Does that help?

Yeah is does, its the TBI......when you turn the key on, can you hear the fuel pump? They are pretty loud and if you can't hear it then its the fuel pump, but if you can then we'll move on, on what else to look for...

[dercody]

Could it be the factory defect?? i.e. sparkplugs, since real trucks don't have them?? Sorry, I know I'm not much help, just couldn't help myself. It is a chevy gasser after all. did you check all the fuses, especially the ones that handle the computer??

[troid123]

Yes, you can hear the fuel pump for about 5-10 sec. The only reason I was think fuel pump was because he ran it out of gas. Is it possible there is blockage between the fuel pump and the fuel filter?

[troid123]

Originally Posted by dercody

Could it be the factory defect?? i.e. sparkplugs, since real trucks don't have them?? Sorry, I know I'm not much help, just couldn't help myself. It is a chevy gasser after all. did you check all the fuses, especially the ones that handle the computer??

Funny man!! I agree w/ you. Anyways, I did check all the fuses. I just feel bad for this guy he just bought this truck less than a month ago and already more probs.. Its been a rough 6 months for the guy and I would love to be able to help him out I just dont know where I need to be looking

[dercody]

It could still be the fuel pump, it may have been weakened due to being run out of fuel, and possibly never been changed the life of the vehicle. you might need to pull it and test it to see just how well it works. Also, check the lines to make sure they are not pulling in air (cracks and what have you) this would cause the pump to not be able to pull in the required fuel to keep the engine running. (causing the sputtering) then the fuel loses prime and goes back into the tank, if the pump is weak on top of it, it can't keep a constant flow of fuel to the engine.

[troid123]

Originally Posted by dercody

It could still be the fuel pump, it may have been weakened due to being run out of fuel, and possibly never been changed the life of the vehicle. you might need to pull it and test it to see just how well it works. Also, check the lines to make sure they are not pulling in air (cracks and what have you) this would cause the pump to not be able to pull in the required fuel to keep the engine running. (causing the sputtering) then the fuel loses prime and goes back into the tank, if the pump is weak on top of it, it can't keep a constant flow of fuel to the engine.

I will let him know. Thank you for the help. Hopefully we can get this thing up and running pretty quick!

[FORD PARTS GUY]

When I worked in the shop at a gm dealer the 350 "r" motors that are in the trucks had alot of fuel pump problems we stocked plenty of them because they would go out a lot check your fuel pressure.