I just got my new slick home the other day and I knew that it had a bad lifter, so I picked up a few at the local parts house in anticipation of installing them. Also, the dealer that I bought the truck from said he just had the carb rebuilt.

However, here's what's happening now....maybe you guys can help me with a diagnosis:

During the test drive, it ran fine. And, during the first few days, it was running fine too. However, that lifter kept making more racket so I figured I'd replace the faulty lifter(s) this weekend.

I drove it to the gas station for the first time...filled up with new gas, and as soon as I pulled away from the pump, it started stalling at idle. Now it will only run with the choke pulled out a bit.

I figured that I must've stirred up some crud in the gas tank, since the truck's been sitting for a while, so I replaced the fuel pump and installed a clear, inline filter for good measure. That didn't fix the issue though.

It'll start right up with the choke....and will run OK, but it will not run at idle with the choke pushed in. I've checked and the choke is working properly and I've tried to run it with the air cleaner off (I thought the air cleaner might be dirty and suffocating the engine).

Could the lifter(s) have just gone ahead given up the ghost after going a few miles since storage and be causing the engine to only want to run with higher idle/choke?

 

Running with the choke closed-- Check for vacumn leaks around the carb and vacumn lines.

 

Good advice...thanks.

After thinking on it a bit, I'm also thinking maybe that some junk got sucked in to the carb and is plugging up the works a bit.

 

That can happen, what engine is in the truck?

 

The engine is a 240 six

 

Have you done a compression check on the engine yet?

 

Yeah that doesn't sound like a lifter problem so much as it does either a vacuum problem or a dirty bowl and jets in the carb. Generally, a sticky lifter will have a very consisten miss fire, kind of like a lope but having to use the choke! now it could be that you are losing compression on a few cylinders, but again that is a constant missfire for teh most part. Does it backfire as it is accelerating? if so that is a pretty indicator of a vacuum problem...

 

I have seen many examples of very old gas turning to varnish and gumming valves to the point the pushrod(s) fall out. I have had good success using carb cleaner to free the valves, fishing bent / broken pushrods out and getting back on the road with minimal tear down. Obviously you need to clean out the fuel system and carb. Don't know if this is your issue, but thought I'd share.

Jim

 

Sea Foam is an awesome cleaner in cases of stuck lifters or valves, half a can in the oil, and half in the fuel tank, it worked wonders on my engine.. A lot of varnish inside the block though is a sign of excess blow by, in which case you are in for an overhaul anyway you look at it. You can pour Sea Foam directly into your intake and it will stall the engine, but let it sit for half an hour, or more and it will dissolve the varnish that is on your intake valves. If you pour it in the intake do it at night , and then drive it for a bit after wards at night, as it will smoke like a pig for about 10 minutes or so. Most major parts stores carry it, as do Boat and marine shops. You can also use it to clean out the carb jets. it is about 7 bucks per can. after you use it change your fuel filters again, they will be full of crud!

 

thanks for all the input....the problem is solved.

It ended up being the carburetor.

I was told by the dealer who sold me the truck that he had the carb rebuilt shortly before I bought it, but it certainly wasn't. Either he lied to me, or his mechanic lied to him. All that was done to the carb was that it had carb cleaner sprayed on it on the outside and a new base gasket added.....that's it.

The inside of the carb was filthy and worn out, so I bought a Walker 15253A kit and rebuilt it this afternoon. She's running like a champ now.

I also changed the oil and added some SeaFoam to the crankcase. We'll see how that works in quieting down the lifter.