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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Cutting out on acceleration

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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 10:13 PM
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From: sunny san diego
Cutting out on acceleration

OK...1985 F250 460 C6....Runs perfect around town except for a slight surge around a steady 40 mph, but merging on to freeway it will start to loose power, pop 1 or 2 times through the carb, sputter, die, sputter, ect. Exit off ramp and all is well again. Does it on front and rear tank so fuel pump failure possible but not likely (?). Here's what I have checked:

-Float levels OK
-Plugs and wires less than 1 year old (not the cheap stuff)

-replaced Duraspark with a spare good one, no change.
-all vacuum hoses good, no leaks
- vacuum at idle 20-21

I'm at a loss...............
 
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 10:25 PM
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Timing adjusted correctly I'd assume? When was the carb last rebuilt?
 
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 10:33 PM
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From: sunny san diego
Timing spot on, vacuum advance OK, no leaks. I rebuilt the carb myself about 2 years ago and consider myself somewhat of an expert on the 4180, so I doubt seriously if there is a problem with that. I suspect the ignition module, coil, or possibly the fuel pumps even though I'm not convinced they are going bad.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 10:35 PM
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From: Lost
Fuel filter?
 
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 10:58 PM
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From: sunny san diego
Originally Posted by Rogue_Wulff
Fuel filter?
Checked that too, clean and replaced with in the last year. Also checked and cleaned the 3 way fuel return valve, all good.
 
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 11:03 PM
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Checked for vapor lock and or too small of a fuel line/carb?

ETA noted that you are running a 4180, so unless your motor is hotrodded those things should be fine. One thing I have heard about these carbs is that the powervalves are blown to busting on a back fire....
 
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Old Jul 18, 2011 | 11:20 PM
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I dunno. The thing is a relatively sustained higher RPM is what's causing your issue. Kinda sounds like a fuel starving issue. Maybe you have a kink in your line that causing the carb to be pulled dry under demand?

You've checked everything else that's fuel related... Is it ONLY under load, or can you duplicate the issue by holding a high RPM for a few in your driveway?

Have you checked your coil, module, and pickup? There is more of a demand on your ignition parts at higher RPM.

I'm just throwing some things out there...
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 05:05 AM
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back idle vacuum down to around 17-19 and see if that helps. Timing might be a bit high causing a misfire or detonation at part / full throttle. I would start at 17 then drive it, if it acts ok got to 18, repeat until symptoms return then back it back off.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 06:40 AM
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From: sunny san diego
I don't want use the hit and miss method by simply replacing parts like some mechanics do and still have a problem, but I appreciate all of the suggestions. The problem is beyond the scope of my abilities.........to the shop it goes today and I will post up. Thanks all
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 07:56 AM
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Check the clearance for the mech. fuel pump. If it's too much the engine doesn't get fuel fast enough on accelleration, at least that solved a similar problem on my 4180.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 08:11 AM
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From: sunny san diego
Mine has electric fuel pumps in each tank. It doesn't matter which tank I use, it still cuts out. I don't see how both pumps could go bad at the same time, but they are original and 25 years old, so
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by beetle
I don't want use the hit and miss method by simply replacing parts like some mechanics do and still have a problem, but I appreciate all of the suggestions. The problem is beyond the scope of my abilities.........to the shop it goes today and I will post up. Thanks all
tweeking timing / idle vaccum is free...My 302 and 300 both acted up like that with that much vacuum at idle. Timing was advanced way too far.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by guindian28
Check the clearance for the mech. fuel pump. If it's too much the engine doesn't get fuel fast enough on accelleration, at least that solved a similar problem on my 4180.
On the front of the carb itself is a mechanical pump that is used for aceelleration only.
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 12:07 PM
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From: Columbus
Originally Posted by beetle
Mine has electric fuel pumps in each tank. It doesn't matter which tank I use, it still cuts out. I don't see how both pumps could go bad at the same time, but they are original and 25 years old, so
They have actually lasted that long?
 
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Old Jul 19, 2011 | 12:39 PM
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From: sunny san diego
Originally Posted by Galm_2
They have actually lasted that long?
That's right............I was careful never to let the fuel level drop below 1/4. Lots of peeps do that and then wonder why the fuel pump goes bad so soon.
 
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