Chevy 350 Fuel Injection

Modern cars may have become flashier, safer, and punchier than their predecessors, but they remain rather similar at their core. No doubt, the electronics are increasing with each passing day, but the very fact remains that the powertrain, fuel system, and other such technical systems are just an evolution of what they used to be some 2-3 decades ago. Speaking of the fuel system, it can be aptly described as the vascular system of a vehicle; it may not be as complex as that of a human body, but it certainly is interesting.

An Insight into the Famous Chevrolet 350:

Aside from fuel pipelines, a vehicle’s fuel system and even the engine relies on a fuel pressure regulator and fuel injectors. The fuel pressure regulator is present in every EFI vehicle, be it your Chevrolet truck or a posh Lexus SUV. Chevrolet, sometimes also referred to as Chevy, is a household name in the U.S that needs no introduction. The GM subsidiary has been serving the U.S market for quite a long time and it has made several strides in its history. One notable milestone in Chevy’s history is the 350 small-block engine. Making its debut in the early sixties, the engine soon become so popular and widespread that it became known as GM corporate standard albeit with different variations and modifications until its demise in 2005, though it remains in use as a crate engine for marine applications and automotive hobbyists.

Making a long story short, the 350-powered Chevy vehicles are still humming along the highways in the U.S and there may be a while before its loyal users say a final goodbye to them. The relevancy of the Chevy 350 to this day has resulted in aftermarket support that caters to even the minutest needs of its vehicle owners. The durable, performance-packed engine is famous for its reliability and adding all of this on top of the characteristic V8 rumble makes for a machine worth looking after. Barring a few routine maintenance procedures, the 350 Chevy is known for its impeccable reputation. Of the few routine maintenance procedures, the most frequently done is replacing those Chevy 350 fuel injectors.

Chevy 350 Fuel Injectors:

Fuel injectors can normally be cleaned by an additive or by directly connecting them to a dedicated and fancy fuel injector cleaner which, in most cases, isn't feasible from an economic standpoint. Keeping in mind that the last OEM Chevy 350 injectors were fitted some two decades ago, it is only wise to replace them either with remanufactured, refurbished, or altogether new fuel injectors. Finding either of these for a vehicle almost 20 years old can be a headache but fortunately for Chevy 350, it is not.

The great aftermarket support and popularity of Chevy 350s mean you can find replacement Chevy fuel injectors in any city or even a small town in the U.S. If physical stores are a hassle for you, then a wide array of online stores is always at your disposal. However, before getting all prepped up to replace your Chevrolet fuel injectors, it is important to first verify and pinpoint that the fault lies within them. Modern OBD-ll equipped cars have almost all of their internal systems controlled by the computer and plugging in a scanner gives a fairly good idea of whether or not the injector or the pressure regulator has a problem. But, for vehicles equipped with the likes of 350 V8s, you will probably need some good intuitive skills and the ability to skim through the limited data stream available through their OBD scans. Here are our top pointers for faulty fuel injectors:

Pinpointing Faulty Fuel Injectors

Hard Olefin Deposits:

One of the major culprits behind faulty fuel injectors in Chevys equipped with 350 V8 or any other vehicle is sticky olefin deposits. Upon turning off a vehicle, the fuel injectors of all the vehicles (including that of Chevrolet) go through a process called heat soak. During the process, the fuel evaporates from the injectors and a sticky compound called olefin generally gets stuck behind. Since there is no fuel being sprayed through the injectors to wash off the olefin, therefore, it turns into a hard deposit over time. It is generally hard rid of these deposits via a fuel additive or even a fancy cleaner, thus replacement fuel injectors are the best resort.

Electrical Issues:

Fuel injectors may seem like mechanical devices on the outside, but they do have a touch of electronics underneath their skin. The solenoid inside the injectors creates a magnetic field that results in the push or pull movement of the injector pintle. Faulty circuits and shorts in the solenoid compartment can lead to problems that, over time, can ultimately render fuel injectors useless. Chevrolets are somewhat notorious for electrical issues, so such issues are more likely to be the culprits behind faulty injectors in them.

Prolonged Cranking:

Prolonged cranking can be a symptom of many issues, one being low pressure in the fuel rail section. The low pressure, in turn, can be symptomatic of an injector leak somewhere or a faulty/weak injector pressure regulator or the injectors themselves. Chevrolet pressure regulators and fuel injectors of any similar mainstream brand can easily be purchased from Mike’s Carburetor Parts.

Misfire Codes:

Nowadays mechanics generally rely on scanners to diagnose any issue with a vehicle. Bad Chevy 350 fuel injectors can also be diagnosed via a scanner though it would be a misfire code (P0300) for multiple or a single cylinder that will pinpoint bad injectors. Just be sure to rule out worn-out spark plugs and ignition coils before purchasing new fuel injectors for your Chevy 350 or any vehicle for that matter.

Refurbished, Remanufactured, or Brand-New Injectors?

All three types perform the same task; the only differences are how they are put together, the parts with which they are built, and last but not least price. Refurbished injectors are pulled from a dysfunctional/wrecked vehicle and given a brief makeover. For vehicles fitted with Chevy's 350, they seem to be a decent option especially if you are tight on budget or you don’t plan on keeping your vehicle for a while.

On other hand, remanufactured injectors are also used injectors, but they have been taken apart and deeply inspected for faults. The faulty components are replaced with newer parts and then put together. As obvious, these are a better choice to be used as Chevy 350 fuel injectors than refurbished ones, but they are pricier. Also, some remanufactured injectors are not put together or built in the way a remanufactured injector should be built. Therefore, beware of the make and place you buy remanufactured injectors.

Lastly, brand new/OEM injectors are always everyone’s priority but for vehicles with engines as old as Chevy’s 350, it is almost unlikely you will be able to buy brand new injectors. But if luck's with you and if the price is not a problem, then go right ahead and buy those new injectors for your Chevy 350 engine. The new injectors would surely outlast your vehicle.

Why Mike’s Carburetor Parts?

Keeping Customers First as its core objective, Mike's Carburetor Parts has been serving its customers with all their needs related to fuel systems be it the old carburetor components or modern fuel injection systems. Whether you have a nineties vehicle or a late model car rest assured, the Washington-based family-owned, and operated business would be at your disposal at any time. Aside from fuel system components for mainstream vehicles, Mike’s also offers parts for marine and automotive/industrial applications. Our customer-centric business is always ready to take orders and assist you with technical support via  email  so you can get your hands on the required parts with maximum convenience.