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'82F150 and stalling

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Old Jun 7, 2012 | 01:42 PM
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'82F150 and stalling

I've had alot of problems with my '82 F150 recently. It has a 351W and is now on its second engine. Initially it just didn't want to start. Since then I have changed the fuel filter (twice), changed the air filter, rebuilt the carburetor, replaced the fuel pump, and changed the computer module. At this point what it does is run for a minute, then stall; then run for maybe 3 minutes, and stall; run for 10 minutes, stall; run 5 minutes, stall, etc. Can anyone tell me what's going on here? Thanks.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2012 | 04:11 PM
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Does the engine continue to run if you keep your foot on the gas pedal a little (say raise RPM to 1,000)?

What carb is on it? My '82 351W had the Variable Venturi (VV) carb with EEC III - is that what you have?

When it stalls, does it immediatly start back up?
 
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Old Jun 7, 2012 | 05:52 PM
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Hey. Yesterday when it stalled, I could always start it again. Today I can't get it to start at all. It turns over, and it just wants to start, but it doesn't. This has happened before.

The carb is a basic Ford 2 barrel.

When it has run, if I put my foot on the gas pedal it either stalled or it would only run if I gave alot of gas and ran the engine at high rpm.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2012 | 06:19 PM
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Sounds like maybe the coil or the pickup in the distributor. They can fail when they warm up.

If it won't run now then you should be able to find it. I would pull the coil wired and check to see that you have spark when you crank it. If not, then check for voltage at the battery side of the coil. If so, then put your meter on the other side of the coil and have someone crank it. You should see a fluctuating voltage as the module grounds and then lets the other side of the coil float.
 
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Old Jun 7, 2012 | 08:04 PM
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Yes, do the diagnostics Gary indicated, that will help diagnose a possible ignition problem.

These ignition systems are really simple - the pickup sensor in the distributor instructs the module to fire the coil. If you don't have spark at the right times, further diagnosis is necessary.

Does it not want to start when warmed up?
 
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 12:52 AM
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I hardly ever get a chance to warm it up. It usually stalls before I get that far, but if anything, yes, it's harder to start when it's warmed up. I've talked to a few people about all this, and they seem to be saying the same as you and Gary. I'll test it over the weekend. My guess is that it's probably the distributor. Thanks.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 04:22 AM
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Is the choke opening?
 
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by CountryBumkin
Is the choke opening?
This is a really good question! I didn't want to say anything fuel-supply-related yesterday but the OP saying it will run at higher RPMs gnaws at me and makes me want to look at vacuum leaks/incorrect carburetor assembly or adjustment/whatever.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by mbh
I've had alot of problems with my '82 F150 recently. It has a 351W and is now on its second engine. Initially it just didn't want to start. Since then I have changed the fuel filter (twice), changed the air filter, rebuilt the carburetor, replaced the fuel pump, and changed the computer module. At this point what it does is run for a minute, then stall; then run for maybe 3 minutes, and stall; run for 10 minutes, stall; run 5 minutes, stall, etc. Can anyone tell me what's going on here? Thanks.
Welcome to the forum, mbh!

Did you mean ignition module? I don't believe the 1982 was computer controlled. Was the replacement a Motorcraft or something else? Unfortunately, it is not all too uncommon to get a "bad" new module. Originally, the module had two different circuits; one for starting [temporarily retarded timing] and the second for normal running. As the modules aged and broke down [normally years], the engine might die and be able to restart since after coasting to the road side and attemting to restart, the module would cool down. Eventually, this cycle would get shorter until the engine would no longer run.

Why not take the module out and have a parts store test it? Or, pop in a replacement if one is available.

Good luck!
 
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 02:50 PM
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Thanks for your posts. Yes, it is an ignition module. I got it from napa and I'm almost certain that it is good.

I'm also almost certain the choke is working right. I'll check it over the weekend when I do the electrical diagnosis. I'll also check for vacuum leaks.

Thanks again.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by 1986F150six
Welcome to the forum, mbh!

Did you mean ignition module? I don't believe the 1982 was computer controlled.

Good luck!

Not relevent to OPs post, but the 82 did come in a computer controlled version - if you call a EEC III a computer. That's what mine had originally.

Looking at the chart in my 1982 Engine/Emission Diagnostic manual, the EEC III was used on the 5.0L (fuel injected Lincoln), the 5.0L (California) and 5.8L (49 States under 8,500LB F150 &F250). These engines all used the 7200-VV carb (except for the Lincoln).

Just saying to pass along some history.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by CountryBumkin
Not relevent to OPs post, but the 82 did come in a computer controlled version - if you call a EEC III a computer. That's what mine had originally.

Looking at the chart in my 1982 Engine/Emission Diagnostic manual, the EEC III was used on the 5.0L (fuel injected Lincoln), the 5.0L (California) and 5.8L (49 States under 8,500LB F150 &F250). These engines all used the 7200-VV carb (except for the Lincoln).

Just saying to pass along some history.
At least some of the 5.8's came with an Autolite 2150 feedback carb, not the VV.
 
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