Svetty getting better, but still not there yet... and other car shit

OK... so today so far has been pretty good, after jaunting around town looking for a product that apparently didn't exist, I gave up and did things my way (which can sometimes be really effective, but others... well, not so much).

I went around looking for a fuel pressure testing gauge, a few brass hose fittings, and some clamps (not really a big deal... or so I thought). Apparently, the way that I was instructed how to check fuel pressure, is obsolete. What I know, is to cut the fuel line right next to the fuel rail (for injectors)/ carburetor pop a brass "T" in the line, put another hose off from the "T" and hook up the gauge, and crank the engine over and see what kind of pressure you have....

WELL, not so anymore... according to almost everyone I talked to today, there should be a valve on the fuel rail that you can "just tap right into" with the little kit they sell for 39.99.... yeah, NO. There is no fucking little valve, I have checked a few times... so kind of depressed, I got some dunkin donuts (aka, DI-DO's :-) ), and thought about it for a little bit. There is a bolt on the left side of the engine (if viewed from the front of the car), that attaches to the fuel pressure regulator, and the fuel return line. SO... if all things are well, there SHOULD be pressure behind this bolt. So I take my socket wrench, and a pair of sunglasses (to shield myself from gasoline @ 30-35 psi) and break the bolt loose.... nothing happens.... so I take the bolt OUT... peer into the fuel rail..... to see just a little bit of gas, with ABSOLUTELY no pressure behind it. So I crank the engine over a bit, let some pressure build and then repeat... once again, NO fuel pressure...

So, in conclusion, there is almost no doubt in my mind right now that the fuel pump is the cause of the no start.

I also did something else today, I swapped the DI/APC computer and the JETRONIC computer back to mine that way if she does start, it will be with MY computers... and I can DISTINCTLY hear the DI Cassette doing its "Shower of Sparks" after I key-off the ignition and pull out my key..... that makes me happy, at least I know the DI that Chris (my wonderful mechanic) gave me to test works.... and it also tells me that MY DI/APC computer works.... YAY!

Anyway, I still don't know how to actually remove the fuel pump, I can get to it through the back hatch... it has an access panel (which I imagine this makes things a little easier), but to actually remove it.. yeah, I need some instructions or something. The shitty part about that, is that there are 2 different fuel pumps that were used in that model year, and they are VERY different in price and connections. One is about $400-$600 (Bosch) and the other is $150-$250 (Wurst), and they are NOT interchangable. I really don't even care how much they are, but its just a matter of whether or not that will solve all the problems... I think it will... like I said, there is VERY little doubt in my mind that it won't but there is still a little bit.

Subject change... (sorta):

Even though I need new rear speakers in the car, I sat down for a little bit turned on the stereo, and cranked it :-). That is definatly one thing I miss about Svetty the most.... she sounds freakin magnificent, not a lot of power, no extra amps or subs or anything... just a bit of my tuning (which is border-line professional if I do say so myself :-) ) and a good selection of classical and modern music. I can't wait 'til she is running again, and that is one of the many reasons (and is fairly high up there too). I drive anywhere from 75-120 miles per day, and I really don't mind listening to the radio, but I REALLY have to get my girlfriend a good antenna (hers broke) and possibly a halfway decent head-unit (maybe with a CD player... or even a tape deck that works!)... not just because I am a nice b/f, but because if I am going to borrow her car for much longer (hopefully not... but hey, ya never know), I might get a case of road rage and snap and kill someone..... (j/k...... maybe :-) )


anyway... enough of that.... moving along....