N/A Start-up

Started the dragster up for the first time on Fathers Day, A normally aspirated 336 small block chevy, single butterfly mechanical fuel injection. Started up and ran great, on alcohol, we ran it for close to 8-10 minutes, keeping an eye on everything, didn't see any problems. Engine started to gain RPM like we had shut the fuel off. let it set and checked things over. started it back up and it would not idle, still lean. What should I look for? Filter is clean. I know there will questions and i'm ready to let you know. Thanks

 

8 to 10 min.???? Sounds like you ran it out of fuel, injected cars use a ton of fuel warming up. Check the fuel tank ....... I'd bet its empty or close to it.

 

Jody, that was our first thought too, we still had a little left, I think it was enough to pick it up. But I can find nothing else so I'll try it again and not run it as long. You know how that first fire-up is, you just want to hear it, may have gotten carried away. Thanks, I'll let you know. When we restarted it we probably didn't let it run long enough to pick it back up.

 

I did the same thing in 1999 when I built my first injected big block. LOL. But if the pump is cam shaft driven it may be a lot higher than the level of fuel left in the tank, most people run a tank a few gallons bigger than they need to give the fuel a little head pressure and to prevent running out on the track if they have to stop and restart due to and oil down or some other mess. Top it back off and try again. My blown hemi will use about 2.5 gal on just the couple of min warmup , an injected motor will use almost as much as a blown motor at idle. My injected big block would use almost 4 gal driving to staging, pulling up a few times, making a run and driving back to the pits. You will need a way to lean it out to build heat quicker..... I used to just trim the fuel pump back until the idle went up a little, this will save a lot of fuel and wear and tear on your motor.

 

Thanks for the help Jody, I will keep you posted. That is what we have, a 4 gal. tank.

 

Yeah it was probably empty LOL