Won't start - probably stupid owner syndrome
 

65 289 2 barrel. Took it out for ten mile drive, came home, let it idle while I spent a few minutes cleaning the dust of it (engine did not get wet). When I backed out of my inclined drive onto the flat street she died. Refired briefly then died again.
If I pour a little gas down the carb she will start and run a few moments until that gas is gone.
Here are my choices:
1. It's out of gas. Gauge said a little less than a quarter but it probably is not accurate.
2. Fuel clog. The gas tank is 45 years old and could have sediment or rust, but I have not had issues before.
3. Bad fuel pump.

I'll try some gas tomorrow. If that does not work I'll pull the fuel line and see if gas is flowing. It probably won't be. How can I tell if it is a clogged line or a bad pump?

On the bright side, since I am basically an idiot, it's probably just out of gas.

Pull the line off the carb and crank the engine and see if gas comes out. Do it safely by using a longer flex line on the end and routing it to a container. I have a feeling it may be a plugged filter or a stuck float in the carb. Could be the fuel pump though.

Well I can't add much...

My guesses would have been ...

1. out of gas
2. plugged fuel filter
3. broken fuel pump
4. broken crankshaft


Just kidding about the crankshaft...

i'd say you are not that idiotic. You seem to know your first steps.
just try what you came up with yourself (make sure to be safe. container as said) and let us know the results

Debrise in the tank can cause all sorts of problems like you are having. Often, the car will start and run, but then die after a couple of minutes as the debrise gets sucked up against the sock. When it dies, the debrise falls off and you can repeat the cycle many times!

Your problem is more than likely either a clogged line or bad fuel pump (how old is it?). Try the cranking with the fuel line in a safe container trick and if the flow is down or stopped, pull the rubber hose at the input to the fuel pump. Put about 10 psi of compressed air in the fuel filler (wrap a rag around the air hose to make a seal) and see if the flow changes. Now you have a choice. If you can get the flow clean, try to start the car, with everything reconnected of course. Or you can pull the sender/pick up and check out the tank. Good luck!

Well, I learned something about my fuel gauge today. It's wrong! I put five gallons in her and cranked it some and she fired up. Took about 20 - 30 seconds of cranking but that was probably the time it took to suck gas from tank up to the carb. I really suspected that would be the problem. The one time it fired after it died yesterday it only ran maybe 1 to 2 seconds, and then would not fire again at all...typical of an out of gas car. I think I might go ahead and get a new tank for it this summer. At 45 years of age it's got to have some junk in it.
Thanks guys.

or just take yours and clean it out real good if the tanks in good shape

You can clean out a gas tank? Flush it with water? Cleaner? On or off the car?

You'd be so much better off just replacing the tank. They're less than $100 and a simple swap. Is your time spent learning how to flush yours out, and the supplies to do so worth less than that?

ya my gas gauge dont work at all so don't worry happens to all of us :P....best thing to do is stick a hose in there and blow into it 2 listen for the gas... bubbling? if thats the right word....for the future...i recently invested in a 5 gallon tank to leave full at my house for my constant stupidity of letting it run empty