So a few weeks ago I had to slam on the brakes at a stoplight when the car in front of me stopped fast. I hit the brakes the hardest I ever have in that truck. I noticed a really nasty burning smell like I've never smelled before, and I know it wasn't just the brake pads. Pretty nasty like burning garbage or something. I thought "boy I hope that isn't my truck".

Well I guess it was because the truck made it about 2 more blocks before it stalled at another light and would NOT start. I had to push it off the road and call my buddy to pull it home.

I didn't have time to mess with it so it sat for a week before I tried to start it again. It started almost as good as it used to, but it ran like absolute crap. I mean barely running, extremely rough idle and I was just able to move it out of my yard from where we had towed it. I shut it down and don't want to start it again because I'm afraid of damaging something further.

So I have no idea why slamming the brakes would cause engine problems but I checked everything visually and nothing just came loose like a vacuum hose or distributor wire. I have no idea where to look from here. Anyone heard of something like this before?

Truck is an 87 f150
302 carbed
4 speed
Only signs of trouble in the motor is lots of nasty white crap is always in the oil. Moisture or gasket problems maybe?

 

Are you losing coolant? Because white stuff in your oil is not a good sign, it can mean oil and coolant mixing, which could be blown head gaskets. Also have you checked codes? Even if the check engine light isn't on codes can still be stored.

 

The coolant is a little low (none in reservoir) but it has been that way for a while and hasn't went down. I can't really check the codes because there is no computer. The guy who I bought it from had put a rebuilt carbed 302 in from a 85 bronco and literally the only wires connected to the motor is oil pressure, temp, and hot lead to the distributor.

 

Ok well in that case it'll be a little harder on you, your best bet is to check your power feed to the obvious components. Check your power to the ignition coil, to the distributor etc. Did you pull any wires and actually check your spark? If no, do so. Also maybe pull the dist. cap and crank it over see if the dist. spins normally.

 

+1 on checking for spark, and check your carb float maybe? Seems to me it's possible a sudden stop can lodge the float, cutting off fuel. As for the burning trash smell no idea, except maybe was just your brakes.