Holley Carb fuel pressure guage jumping and clicking.

[70sboomerguy]

Hello all,

I have a 73 Rallye Charger with a 440 engine. The fuel pressure gauge on the dual feed kine is jumping and clicking.

Please see the short video below.



I thought the ticking was a header exaust leak but it seems to be in perfect sync with the gauge.

Do I need a fuel pressure regulator?

Thanks in advance/Dennis

[70sboomerguy]

Hello again ,

Is it likely that the clicking I'm hearing is a failing mechanical fuel pump since the clicking more or less matches the jumping of the fuel gauge needle?

Thanks, Dennis

[71se3834v]

Hello again,
Stick a long screwdriver or steel rod down on the fuel pump and put the other end to your ear. You should be able to isolate where that noise is coming from. Yes if the fuel pump rod is bad and too short it'll sound like a lifter tapping.

[70sboomerguy]

Thanks very much. I'll try that in the morning & get back. I'm leaning in that direction as the clicking almost exactly matches the jumping needle. Your method sounds easier than trying to temporarily run it off gravity feed... to see if the clicking stops.

Thanks/Dennis

[70sboomerguy]

Hello Everyone,

A quick update...

I was able to get the fuel filter changed. It was loaded with what looked like mud. I'm surprised it started at all. I changed out the fuel pump and push rod as well. The pump was likely contaminated.

I think the car was in storage for 10 years or more so there are a lot of gremlins to chase away.

I changed out the header gasket on the passenger side which was a pantload of fun... That quieted it a bit. I also chased an oil leak away by changing out the valve cover gaskets.

When I replaced the Carb I noticed the base plate of the carb had a broken foot. it was there around the stud, but it was broken off.

I replaced the distributor & curved it to 14 degrees mechanical advance with 17 degrees BTDC and it fires up awesome now.

The vacuum advance on the distributor is now competing for space with the upper radiator hose. It's a problem as the vacuum nipple is really hitting the hose.

I'm wondering if I rotate the wires in sequence counter clockwise 1 or 2 spots on the cap if I could then time the distributor so the dashpot is away from the hose. Please see pic...

drive.google.com/file/d/18ayJJUYhWVE-ofAa5poEdjPp1vOWWodR/view?usp=sharing

Thanks very much/Dennis

[70sboomerguy]

Hi Guys, I got it. I moved the wires up one spot on the cap clockwise which allowed for a different dashpot timing position...

Happy Happy Joy Joy...
Take care/Dennis

[DynoDave]

Lots of good progress!