79' won't start without ether
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New User
Joined: Mar 2011
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79' won't start without ether
Hey,
I've got a 1979 f-100 ranger xlt 2wheel drive automatic with a 351 m. engine.
The problem is it will not start without ether. I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter already so I know thats not it . I can start it with ether and it runs great can even let it sit 3hours and will start up ( no ether ) but let it sit for 4 hours and it won't start, and if I just tap the gas peddle it starts hard like its flooded. If I let it sit a few days and try and start without ether it will just crank and crank and if I pump to much on the gas it floods. Any thoughts on the problem? I've had this truck for 21 years and it has always been great and I do all the work on it myself, but this has me stumped. It all started a year or so ago when I changed the carb. it has a motorcraft 2 barrel.
I've got a 1979 f-100 ranger xlt 2wheel drive automatic with a 351 m. engine.
The problem is it will not start without ether. I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter already so I know thats not it . I can start it with ether and it runs great can even let it sit 3hours and will start up ( no ether ) but let it sit for 4 hours and it won't start, and if I just tap the gas peddle it starts hard like its flooded. If I let it sit a few days and try and start without ether it will just crank and crank and if I pump to much on the gas it floods. Any thoughts on the problem? I've had this truck for 21 years and it has always been great and I do all the work on it myself, but this has me stumped. It all started a year or so ago when I changed the carb. it has a motorcraft 2 barrel.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 11
From: West Virginia
Not a coincidence. Why did you change the carb? You will probably have to adjust your mixture to get the new carb to work, or if its not in good shape you may just have to rebuild or replace it.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
This sounds like a choke issue. When you start the engine after it has been shut off for a few hours, you must press the pedal once to shut the automatic choke and load the fast idle linkage. Pumping 2 or 3 times will flood the engine. If you pump the pedal once after the engine has sat for several hours, does the choke close?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
I agree with FMC400. I had the same problem when I replaced my carb, different engine though 300I6. I had the carb "professionaly" rebuilt and they did a horrid job. It had 2 problems that produced exactly the same results that you are seeing. The electric choke was stuck and it was also dumping way too much fuel into the engine. I tried to adjust mine out but I eventually rebuilt a different carb myself. I got the choke to work by adjusting it but no matter what I did it would run way to rich.
If you have never adjusted a carb before it isn't hard, I have seen a lot of write-ups on here for how to do it, also check the forum for your engine. If you have an electric choke you adjust it by lossening the screws holding it and rotating the choke assembly, I would mark it before starting so you can bring it back to its original position. It is hard to say what the exact problem is with yours but I would start by taking off the air cleaner and watching what the choke does as the engine warms up.
If you have never adjusted a carb before it isn't hard, I have seen a lot of write-ups on here for how to do it, also check the forum for your engine. If you have an electric choke you adjust it by lossening the screws holding it and rotating the choke assembly, I would mark it before starting so you can bring it back to its original position. It is hard to say what the exact problem is with yours but I would start by taking off the air cleaner and watching what the choke does as the engine warms up.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
I have a 79 F150 with a 400, and had a very similar issue. It started hard when cold, and could hardly ever start it without flooding it. It turned out to be a choke issue, the choke would never close enough to start properly when cold, and if I adjusted it to close when cold it wouldn't open up all the way when it was warm. I ended up putting a manual choke on it, this way I know where the choke is all the time. Good Luck
