It's a '79 244. Spark is ok, and I've identified the problem as one of fuel delivery. When an attempt is made to start the car normally, the injectors don't let fuel out. If, however, I bypass the relay and raise the air sensor plate, the injectors open and have a proper spray pattern. System pressure is confusing: If it's tested while bypassing the relay and manually raising the air sensor plate, system pressure is 70 psi, +/- 1psi. If I replace the the "boot" between the air intake and intake manifold and test system pressure while trying to start the car normally, system pressure only reaches about 40 psi (on one occasion, it reached 50 psi). If I have someone try to start the car while I raise the air sensor plate (boot removed), system pressure reaches 70 psi. This is non-turbo, so a system pressure of 70 psi is about the middle of acceptable range.

More guesses and observations. If air gets through without passing by the air sensor plate, I assume the piston in the fuel distributor won't be raised and there won't be enough pressure to open the injectors. Right? The "boot" now in place doesn't seem to have any damage. Besides, would that affect the system pressure? It doesn't seem to me that it would, but would stop flow of fuel to the injectors. I can't see any fuel leaks. Oops, system pressure drops quckly after the pumps are off to about 20 psi and only stays at that pressure for a couple of minutes, if that information is useful.

Anyway, any advice would really be appreciated.

It sure is easier playing with old push-rod carbureted engines.

Jim Hampton