ok, here is what i've found:

1) the fuel pump IS pumping
--i know this because i disconnected the hose after the filter, and when the engine is cranked, fuel pumped out like crazy. also, i know fuel is getting TO the distributor, but not through the injector hoses. there is one or two locations on the distributor that the fuel is getting past, but not that lead to the injectors. i pulled an injector to make sure fuel wasn't coming out, negative, and then pulled the injector off to see if fuel was getting TO but not OUT of the injector. also negative.

so the problem lies at the distributor, whether it be a faulty distributor itself, or weak pressure.

2) when i crank the motor, i DO hear a buzzing noise that continues for a couple of seconds when the cranking is ceased

3) a pressure tester gauge is anywhere between $40 and $100, which will tell me if there is enough pressure or not, which in turn will tell me if the pump is good or bad. if its bad, i then have to buy a better pump. i will have then purchased a tester and a pump for around $150-$200.

4) a pump can be had from someone on this webpage for around $70.

--if i get a pump and if the old pump was bad, then problem possibly solved.

--if i get a pump and it doesn't remedy the prob, then i might have a faulty distributor, which costs between $300 and $3000. if the cost of repair is that much, i can't afford it and i will then just sell the car. i will then only be out the price of the pump.

i realize i could try to jumper the pump and make the mechanical efforts a little easier by not having to manually crank the motor via the key, but a bypass will only confirm what i already know: that the pump works.


is there something that i have overlooked in any of that? i really appreciate all the helpful comments!

shawn (man, i wish a bricker lived nearby and could come and wrench with me! there are only like two volvos in my town... sad.)