Sounds good, let us know how it turns out

Sweet .

OK, so I'd like to say "man, the new Allstar fuel pressure gauge works sweet". I'd also like to say I now know I'm running 3 or 3.5 psi.

Instead I've got this to say: damn it.

I finally had time to fire up the Bug a bit ago. The new fuel pressure gauge works like most of Congress - it doesn't or it appears to function in a back-ass fashion.

The Bug runs but I still don't know if the fuel pressure is low, high or balls-on (unlikely); it still registers 0 psi. I moved the regulator top screw to the right and left - it seemed to have little to no impact on how the car ran. I didn't go crazy and crank it way open or close.

I'm sure the new fuel pressure gauge takes a bit to pressurize - it's mechanical not electric. What I can't figure out is why after I shut off the car the gauge will register the fuel in the line (2 psi) but when I start it back up it drops to 0 psi and doesn't move.

Does it take longer than 7-8 minutes for a new fuel pressure gauge to pressurize? I started up the Bug several times and let it run for a bit.

The new gauge went on without drama. It seems like such a no-brainer, but I've screwed up those kind of jobs before. Could the real culprit be the regulator?

Any thoughts?

I would keep trying to adjust it till you see it register on the gauge. With the engine running, keep slowly turning the regulator adjustment screw in (clockwise) while keeping an eye on the gauge, and also keeping an eye on the carbs to make sure they don't start over flowing. try that and see what happens. The gauge should respond immediately to changes in pressure.

Ok, I'll go try what you suggested regarding the regulator adjustment screw. With the engine running, I'll slowly turn the adjustment screw in (clockwise) with an eye on the gauge and carbs.

I'm still trying to figure out why the gauge only reads pressure when the car is not running?

OK, so it always helps to talk with someone who knows what the hell they are talking about.

Guess I needed to turn the regulator more clockwise. With the engine running I started moving the adjustment screw and lo and behold the new gauge works - always a good thing.

I turned it, and turned it, and turned it until the pressure showed 3 psi. The carbs didn't overflow (another good thing) and the engine did sound a bit happier.

I did notice that I had to turn in the reg. screw until only about 4 threads showed at the top -seemed like a lot of movement from where I started out, but perhaps I was running low pressure all this time.

At least now I know the fuel is flowing at 3 psi to the carbs. I need to take it out on the street and see how she runs. Since I had to adjust the regulator more than a few turns I'm wondering about those 1 1/4 turns out mixture screws.

Glad to hear that seems to have worked for you
The fuel pressure has *nothing* to do with the idle mixture screws, so if you adjusted them properly before they should be fine

Yeah, that makes sense. I'll see how the Bug runs out on the road - and not just idling in the garage. I best get in some windshield time. I only have a month or so before the S-word.

Guess I'll have to start a new thread for my winter ride.

Sounds better already .

Snow Machine?