Finsihing up swap, fuel issues

[E30_pilot]

I haven't played with the car in awhile. '87is w/m50nv. Long enough to the point the battery died.
So today I decide to get my exhaust done. I charged the battery and started the car. It Fired right up but the idle was erratic, at this point Im just running cats only. My rpm gauge doesn't work but it would rev up then back down then back up and so on. I thought this was normal because of the dead battery.
I had the car towed to get the exhaust welded on. When I went to drive it home, the car started to sputter and when I stepped on the gas more, it felt like the car would cut off the fuel completely. At one point I thought the car shut off. I was able to park it in front of my work and turned it off. Then tried to started it right after and no start. I pulled the fuel feed line in front of the head to see if it was getting fuel. Crank it then the car started right away.
Before I had the exhaust work done I would just drive around my neighborhood with just cats no muffler and it never had any sputter problems. But I did have the same problem where when I parked it, it wouldn't start again unless I pulled the fuel feed line.

So what's causing the sputtering?

The erratic idling was still present, is that normal after a dead battery?

Why isn't it starting again after I've parked?

And why does it start again after with the fuel feed line pulled?

Oh I just remembered I haven't wired my oil lever sensor yet and my temp sensor is the e34 one. I don't if any of that matters but just throwing it out there.

[kalib0y]

check your grounds, any blockages in your fuel feed?

[E30_pilot]

when I pulled the fuel feed and placed it in a bottle and crank it, fuel would jet out consistently. So I don't think its clogged or if the line is kinked/blocked.

I do remember seeing the frame/body to engine ground wire( the big steel) hanging loosely. Where do i mount correctly?

[dashboardmonkey]

I mounted my ground to the oil pan at that bolt for the power steering pump

[7pilot]

Sounds like the pump and/or filter are not up to the job, or the fuel is bad.



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[Supadave]

Sounds like an injector problem, try pulling the fuel rail and injectors out of the intake manifold. Turn the engine over and look at the injectors spray.

[E30_pilot]

Thanks for the advice guys.
Im going to drain the gas out and replace the fuel filter and then check the injectors.
Whats the best way to clean them if clogged? I assume just taking it to a shop?

[EclipseMTL]

Had the exact same problem. My tank is rusted and it clogged the injectors with rust, making it run hesitant and kept killing it. Its also constantly dying, so I think the rust killed the pumps too. In the process of pulling the tank for another and replacing pumps

[greyis89]

I'm thinking easy. My swap would run well enough after startup with crazy idle but I could drive it somewhat around the neighborhood. Ended up being a vacum leak. Not saying these guys arnt on to something with the fuel but maybe look into it. Hope you figure it out.

[E30_pilot]

UPDATE: So I drained out the old gas and threw in a new fuel filter but i think i figured out the sputtering problem. The idle control vavle was unplugged HAHA. I think the retaining clip broke off or something. But after i plugged it back it the car was revving fine once i stepped on the throttle.

But I'm still having a problem with starting the car right after I shut it off.

I can hear the external fuel pump buzz when i have the key in the ON position.

Also i notice the return line( the one from the back of the head near firewall) looks a tad bit long. Long enough to where it does an S figure. Should i shorten it? Leave it?

There has to be a simple solution thas being overlooked. Because i know i can start the car again tomorrow and it'll fire right up.

[jrdeamicis]

Since you are so close, if you can get the car to our shop, I can give you a hand knocking out this puzzle.

[E30_pilot]

Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I'll have time to take it out there and work on it with school and work keeping me busy as it is.