440 motor won't run for more than 10-20 seconds

[Harlow]

I'm trying to get this 440 started. Its been rebuilt and broken in and then it sat in a garage for a few years. It doesn't seem to want to run for longer than 10-20 seconds. Its got a brand new Holley 950 on it that is supposedly flow tested and tuned up so its ready to be bolted on. I figure these factory settings should be close enough to at least keep the motor running. The motor only seems to want to start after I give it 2 stomps of the gas pedal, then it will run for 10-20 and then stumble out and die. I have a clear inline fuel filter before the carb and I can see that its getting fuel. Whats do you think the deal is?

The carb doesn't have a choke but its pretty hot in AZ. Still in the 100*'s out here so its not like the motor is completely cold.

[Rolling_Thunder]

choke....      is it mechanical or electric ?  if it is an electric unit and not hooked up it will not idle for crap...       

[Harlow]

The carb does not have a choke.

[Tilar]

Sounds like a fuel issue. Take the fuel line off the carb, run a hose from the fuel line into something like a clear coke or water bottle and have someone else turn the engine over for say 5 seconds. The bottle should fill up pretty fast. If it does, you might have a carb problem, If not then it might be the fuel pump or a small hole in the fuel line sucking air. Even though the clear filter has fuel, the volume may not be enough.

The reason I bolded the "someone else" is because I've heard of people doing something like this only to have the fuel line come out of the bottle and spray gas all over a hot engine or all over a spark plug wire.... Not a good combination.

[Charger-Bodie]

It also could have a stuck float.....A couple light taps on the front float bowl will sometimes do the trick,but not always.

[greenpigs]

I second checking to see how much gas you are getting.

[Silver R/T]

or just connect an inline fuel pressure gauge

[Harlow]

I should also mention that I'm running a Holley blue fuel pump and a fuel cell.

[BigBlackDodge]

Does it have a good spark when it's trying to start?


BBD

[Harlow]

Does it have a good spark when it's trying to start?


BBD

I'm running MSD ignition. I checked with a timing light to see if I was getting consistent spark and everything looked good. Whether the spark is hot enough I'm not sure. How can I check that?

[maxwellwedge]

Almost sounds like something electrical is heating up and cutting power to the coil. Try putting a volt meter on the coil and see if the volts are steady when you experience the cut-out. A fuel pressure guage is a good idea as well.