I took my f100 4x4 out this weekend for the first time to the desert. I need a new locking hub, so it is essentially a 2x4 at the moment. I went out with a friend who has a bronco. I got it stuck in the sand a few times, which would not have happened had my 4x4 worked. Luckily the Bronco hauled me out

Anyway, there were two times where I shut the truck off and could not get it started. The first time I stalled out (truck had been running approx. 1 hour in the desert). I turned the key and it absolutely would not run. It kept back firing in the carb and wouldn't start. Obviously it was flooded, so I took the air filter off and let it sit for 15 minutes or so. I cranked it again and it still back fired and after another 30 seconds or so it finally sputtered to life.

I drove it around maybe another 10 minutes and parked it on top of a hill and shut it off. It sat maybe 20 minutes and when I tried to start it I had the same exact problem. Eventually it did fire and run though. It go to the point where I could tell the battery was starting to die.

My question is how can I prevent this? I think Im going to throw a can of starting fluid in the tool box that way I don't get stuck out in the desert. (my understanding is it isn't something to use a lot of, but it may save me if I'm in the middle of no where)

Usually my engine fires up instantly, as in less than 2 seconds. I usually can count on it starting the first time, every time. Obviously driving in sand and up and down hills is hard on the engine and requires a substantial amount of fuel compared to driving on a paved road. Are there any lessons to be learned or is this just the way its going to be?

 

Sounds like maybe vapor lock. Just a guess on my part.

 

hows your electrical system , points , coil , voltage to the coil , what engine do you have ? is the carb settings good , float ok

 

I would say the fuel is boiling in the carb. Have ya got a spacer under the carb? What's yer engine temp when this happens? What engine ya got?

 

I guess specs would be nice. Its a 292 y block. I have a spacer that Im going to guess is 1/2-3/4 inch thick. The engine always seems to run cool. The gauge indicates about 165 or so, which I know is not hot for an engine. When it sat and idled when it was stuck it bumped up a little, but still well under 200. I don't know how accurate the gauge is.

I recently gave it an ignition tune up. New coil, points, condenser, plugs and wires. I've rebuilt the carburetor too.

Would putting another spacer under carb help? It sounds to me like the issue is related to heat.

 

are any fuel lines to close to the exhaust ,? if so they may need to be wrapped ( insulated )

 

The copper line from the pump to the carb is fairly close to the engine. What would be a good thing to wrap it with?

So this is most likely from the fuel getting too hot?

 

take a look at this , you can also use header wrap !
FUEL LINE INSULATION KIT - JCWhitney

 

this one to !
Header wrap : Firesleeve : Heat Shields : Exhaust Wrap : Heat Barriers : Heat Mats : Koolmat : DEI : Design Engineering : Cool-it : Thermo-Tec