Just bought a 77 F-250 and it's hard to start when cold. The choke linkage was disconnected so I thought maybe that was the reason but after sorting that out, it's still tough to start.

It's got an edelbrock 1405 in it. Should I just pull that carb and rebuild it? I've done loads of small-engine carbs and have rebuilt both ford and chevy engines but have never tackled an auto carb. Is it one of those things that should just be done from time to time or should I start trouble-shooting elsewhere?

 

On my truck, stock 460 intake with Eldebrock 1407 auto choke carb, I can press the gas once and she starts right off. I'd say you are still having choke issues. You also want to make sure you have a good squirt of fuel when you mash the gas pedal. There are instructions on the edelbrock site that may help you adjust the choke. Also the carbs are easy to rebuild.

 

Rebuilt the carb, added an electric choke, HEI dizzy, new plugs, wires, filters, flushed the radiator and changed the oil.

She fires right up now.