1951 Ford F 6 runs wide open
 

I bought a 1951 Ford F6 with a 254 flathead 6 cylinder engine and vacuum 2 speed rear axle that has been setting for over 15 year In pole barn. today I was able to get it fired up but it runs wide open throttle. This has and 897 holley carburetor on it and the throttle blade is shut down. I dont know much about the holley but seems strange that it starts right up but revs instantly. I just want to make sure its not something simple before tring to rebuild the carb. I also wonder if a carb kit is available for the 897 holley. Any help is appreciated.

If the truck has been sitting that long, a carb rebuild would be in order. You likely have a gummy crud build up unless you've fully cleaned it out.

Does it have a throttle return spring?

I will try it, its strange to me, out of all the cars, truck and tractors that I have dragged out of barns, fence rows, I have never seen one rev wide open, usually they wont idle or wont run at all.

Yea and all is working correctly.

Does the butterfly in the throttle open and close? Check for that return spring. If the throttle shaft/butterfly is stuck, it must be stuck wide open. If it's closed against the throttle stop it should run at an idle. Hmmmm strange. Are you using the choke? That is tied into some throttle advance when the choke is shut.(pulled out). Great that you got it running though.

I have seen a broken throttle shaft that let the plates open all the way
when the engine was started. Even tho the linkage never moved.
Just a thought.