Running extremely choppy!
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New User
Joined: Jul 2009
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Running extremely choppy!
I have a 1977 ford f250 custom with a 400. I was wondering the best way to make it run smooth . The exauhst is totally shot but I doubt that's the problem... I could get it to run but after sometime it will shut itself off after a bit. Another problem is assoon I put it into gear it stalls. What could ido to fix this? Any good ideas I will attempt . Thank you!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
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From: Near St. Joseph,MO
When's the last time you tuned it up? spark plugs/wires/coil/fuel filter/oil change/etc? If it's been a while, start there. Next, fuel pump and or carb. Start with the smaller things and work your way in, at the very least you have all new components.
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I did new wires, cap and rotor , spark plugs . May do oil tomorrow... I think it's something to do with bad gas from sitting for a while. I had it running good , when I had it 5 years ago as my first car then I ran out of gas and it hasn't been the same sense.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 158
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From: Stroud, OKlahoma
If its been sitting a long time then it would be a good idea to go ahead and replace the fuel pump. The mechanical pumps that that truck uses runs between 20 and 50 bucks. hardest thing would probably be just getting to it to replace it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
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From: Near St. Joseph,MO
I agree. my 78 wouldn't get any fuel from either tank when we went to pick it up. When I got it home, I ran a line from a gas can to an electric pump, to the carb and it fired right up. Mech pump didn't have enough suction to pull gas from the tank, let alone power to push it up to the carb.
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I have a suicide gas tank and there is no bed on the truck as of now... Idk if getting to it would be hard. Is there a way I could test if it's the pump?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 5
From: Near St. Joseph,MO
the pump (if mechanical) is on the side of the engine, if it's got an electric pump it could be anywhere between the engine and tank. To see if you are getting fuel, you could pull the line off the carb and try cranking it. Be warned, if it is working you will spray fuel everywhere. 
On mine, when I pulle the line and cranked it, nothing ever came out.
On mine, when I pulle the line and cranked it, nothing ever came out.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 18,261
Likes: 9,013
From: Sheridan / Gilchrist
I had an 78 F250 Ranger with the 400 for 22 years before I sold it. Had to replace the fuel pump twice. Mechanical, front lower driver side. Each time the symptoms were as described. The one time it just died with no warning signs, as if out of gas and wouldn't start, it was the fuel filter. After that experience, at 4.00 for the filter, it got changed every other oil change.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
And if not then thats one less time your truck wont start on you in the future