Hey guys I just joined up to ask a question about a 1988 F700 flat bed dump truck I just bought a couple months ago. I searched the site but couldn't find any information about my specific problem. The truck has got the 370 Lima V2 in it and the motor runs perfect. As a matter of fact I would say it is one of the smoothest running trucks I have ever owned.

Trouble is after it sits overnight it won't fire up right away. You have to work and work the gas pedal and the manual choke to eventually get it to crank. I'm worried I will burn the starter up since you have to keep turning the motor over a good 30 seconds to a minute before it fires. After it cranks up it runs great and if you cut it off and try to crank it back up right away it will fire on the first hit. Someone told me the fuel could be leaking back in the carburetor while it sits a few hours but I haven't touched anything yet. I thought I would ask first and your help is greatly appreciated.

 

THe fuel in the carb is draining into the engine or running back into the fuel tank.
If it has EFI the fuel can also still run back to the tank.

 

2V=2bbl carb?

If it's carb, and it has a mechanical fuel pump on the engine, it sounds like you might have some sort of air leak allowing air into the fuel line going back to the tank. Bad fuel pump, or a pinhole in a fuel line.

Look around for gas leaks underneath.

 

timing can make starting tricky..

I assume that this truck is built like a truck I had with the 429. Electric fuel pumps in the tanks. Should self prime if there was a leak somewhere??

Timing doesnt really fit because usually timing will make it hard to start warm.

Next time it wont start pull the air filter off and look down the hole while you pull the throttle linkage.. See if the jets are jetting. If they arent, theres your problem.

if theres fuel

Check for spark...

If theres fuel & spark, that leaves compression... But sounds like if this is such a smooth running engine you shouldnt have much trouble with compression.

 

OK thanks guys for the information. I'm going to check it out today and I will get back to you if I find the problem.

 

Sorry guys it's been so long replying but I fixed the problem. When I checked I could see fuel leaking out out the little fuel pump on the side of the carburetor. Turns out that pump had a whole in it so I replaced it and everything works great. Plus the pump didn't cost but $8. Thanks for all the help.