No Spark

Found today my 85 fuel rail has no Schrader valve port anywhere in the fuel lines.

I put a larger fuel pump in the tank per the advice of a fellow online who works for a performance group. Could ??? Could the fact that my Frankenstien engine is running real rich (by smell) be because of the larger fuel pump capacity?

Or maybe the mass air flow meter?

I would not have installed a larger fuel pump until I saw what the OEM one would do. Never mind what this “expert” told you. Now you have no “baseline” to refer to.

My understanding of a car’s power train is that parts are generally selected to (hopefully?) work together a certain way. Changing one or more of these components when you’re kind of feeling around for what works is often not a good idea, especially when you don’t really know what you’re doing. By that I mean, you don’t build engines for a living or even a hobby, or understand the complex ways that spark and timing and air flow all work together along with fuel to run the engine in, if not the most efficient way possible, at least in a way that provides acceptable performance.

Changing any of these variables is often asking for trouble.

Then again, we learn by doing. If it doesn’t work you can always change it back, right? Just document everything and take lots of photos, so that you could more easily switch it back. After all, some of the very best discoveries happened by accident.

..........


At age 74 I am pretty versed in regards to engine builds, operation of the internal combustion engine. I have built many engines over the years and have built several cars from scratch, including this 29 Ford pickup that this engine is now installed in. When I built this project I used front and rear sub frames from a 1992na Miata. (Rack and pinion power steering, four wheel independent suspension and power disc brakes.) I installed the Miata engine and5 speed. But the power was too little to get the box shaped Model A over 55 on a hot summer day. The aero was poor compared to the Miata body. So, I found this 2.3 turbo for double the power and more importantly, more torque.
I do appreciate your input and don’t take your comments as condescending. I know that I have never challenged myself with a project this complicated but as new as this is to me, I love a good test.
i take all comments and inputs as positive so thank you for offering your to share your knowledge with me. I take it seriously.

I certainly meant no offense, I’m happy that none was taken. I must confess that I would have no idea where to even begin such a project as you are undertaking, so kudos to you for your efforts.

I put a larger fuel pump in the tank per the advice of a fellow online who works for a performance group. Could ??? Could the fact that my Frankenstien engine is running real rich (by smell) be because of the larger fuel pump capacity?

Or maybe the mass air flow meter?

I would not have installed a larger fuel pump until I saw what the OEM one would do. Never mind what this “expert” told you. Now you have no “baseline” to refer to.

My understanding of a car’s power train is that parts are generally selected to (hopefully?) work together a certain way. Changing one or more of these components when you’re kind of feeling around for what works is often not a good idea, especially when you don’t really know what you’re doing. By that I mean, you don’t build engines for a living or even a hobby, or understand the complex ways that spark and timing and air flow all work together along with fuel to run the engine in, if not the most efficient way possible, at least in a way that provides acceptable performance.

Changing any of these variables is often asking for trouble.

Then again, we learn by doing. If it doesn’t work you can always change it back, right? Just document everything and take lots of photos, so that you could more easily switch it back. After all, some of the very best discoveries happened by accident.

..........


At age 74 I am pretty versed in regards to engine builds, operation of the internal combustion engine. I have built many engines over the years and have built several cars from scratch, including this 29 Ford pickup that this engine is now installed in. When I built this project I used front and rear sub frames from a 1992na Miata. (Rack and pinion power steering, four wheel independent suspension and power disc brakes.) I installed the Miata engine and5 speed. But the power was too little to get the box shaped Model A over 55 on a hot summer day. The aero was poor compared to the Miata body. So, I found this 2.3 turbo for double the power and more importantly, more torque.
I do appreciate your input and don’t take your comments as condescending. I know that I have never challenged myself with a project this complicated but as new as this is to me, I love a good test.
i take all comments and inputs as positive so thank you for offering your to share your knowledge with me. I take it seriously.

I certainly meant no offense, I’m happy that none was taken. I must confess that I would have no idea where to even begin such a project as you are undertaking, so kudos to you for your efforts.

I knew you were trying to help. And I know I am truly building a Frankenstein of a project. It is however amazing how much I have learned about an engine that I have never worked on before and knew almost nothing about. My experience has been mostly with old cars, like Chevy V8 's and older cars from the 60's when I was just a kid. Then I got interested in the VW thing and built several VW and dune buggy type cars. After almost 3 decades of not working on but one project and running a business, I got interested in car building again in 2004. I have build and restored 3 VW, had another dune buggy (but got bored quickly) and then decided to build one of my high school favorites, a Model A Ford pickup. But I wanted a vehicle that ran and drove like a modern car. So I built this pickup from a wrecked 92 Miata. I used all the subframes for suspension, steering and brakes. It ran and better yet, drove like a Miata. with one exception, it would not go over 55 mph on a hot summer day on a flat road. No aero. I researched and found that a car body aero shape, would require 8 times the horsepower to double the speed. Then I knew I had to find more power. I could have done what everyone else does, find a Chevy small block and put a carb on it. When I found this Tbird 2.3 turbo for sale, I decided that was different and started reading about this engine. It seems bullet proof and has been used in many racing applications. Plus, I had a chance to learn about turbos.
I am going to build one more car starting this summer. I already have parts collected. I am using Mazda RX8 subframes, front and rear. They have forged alloy A arms and all independent suspension. I have a Subaru STI 6 speed transmission and 2.5 liter Subaru turbo. I have also collected e-brake systems and pedal systems from an RX8, radiator from a Subaru and wheels and tires. I will move the engine to the midship position in the rear subframe and what were the front wheel drive axels on the STI will become the rear wheel drive. Building my own frame/chassis will be the big thing but with my experience now, I know I can do the turbo engine stuff, especially with the more up to date electronics of the Subaru and it's brain. Another Frankenstein in the works. It all keeps me getting up I the morning and looking forward to something.
Thank you once again sir for your contributions and advice.