Hello, again, fellow Ford Truck tinkerers! I'm like completely bummed out that my freshly rebuilt (well, sorta fresh 10 or 11 months ago...) 2100 carb is leaking again. Spring has sprung and I want to be out on the Arizona 4-wheeling trails. Need some advice on which way to go...

My truck is a '76 F250 4x4 with a swapped-in 390-2V (my VIN says it originally came with a 360). The carb (according to the copper tab on the front of the bowl) is a Motorcraft D2TF KA. It's a 2100. I'd been avoiding the gas stations lately, but yesterday I filled up with a fresh tank of High Octane and today my truck started idling higher and rougher. It's falling flat on its face when accelerating from the stop light and it takes some good clutch and gas pedal work to keep it from stalling. When coming to a stop, I notice it's idling higher and I have to stomp the gas pedal to get the idle back to normal. I see moisture (gas) just about all the way around the carb on the manifold, but especially towards the back. I'm frustrated with this carb because I've always had trouble with the accelerator pump diaphragm leaking gas; but, this time I don't think it's the source of the trouble. It looks to me like gas is leaking out of the base plate gaskets. Plus, there's always been some flat spots in the acceleration. With that said, here's my questions...

Does anyone make a new spacer plate (where the PCV plugs into the back) for this carb? Should I double-gasket or try to find thicker gaskets than these black paper jobbies? If I decide to go with a new or reman carb, has anyone here tried one from Pony Carburetors? They claim to take the 2100 and make a good carb great and eliminating the hesitation. I'd like to stay close to stock, for now, though I have been dreaming of a slightly enhanced 390 for more confident 4-wheeling. Does anyone have a trusted shop they would swear by for doing FE rebuilds and/or restoration work here in Phoenix, AZ? Thanks a million!

 

It sound's like the throttle shaft seals are leaking , that being said I havent had good luck with reman carbs .
I have seen others here who have !
My recomendation is get a NEW holley 2300, 500 CFM.
It is a bolt on 2bbl and you will notice better excelleration and increased low and top end !
That is the route I would go , new base gaskets too

 

Thanks for the reply, Chas. You know I have seen a few people in the forums saying that they like the Holley 500cfm. I also know that I'm not the first guy to complain about the gas these days, either; but, I was wondering last night if these MTBE or Ether gasoline additives they're making us use are eating the gaskets? A friend of mine advised me to make sure I started the engine at least once every two weeks to prevent the mixture from turning to a gel in the carb passages... Anyone else have any input on this?