Truck runs great while driving but pull up to a light and it has a lopey miss idle. Po took emissions stuff off long ago. Any ideas to smooth it out?


Also while cruising along my wheel has about 2 or so inches of flop slop. Nothing dangerous just a aggrevation. What could i check or replace to tighten it up?

 

For your idle, I'd begin with a basic tune-up... plugs, wires, cap & rotor, fuel filters, air filter.

 

The 86 300 had a computer controlled carb as well as emisions equipment. If it was all yanked and not done correctly (i.e. swapped to a DSII) then you will likely have problems without it.

You can also check for vacuum leaks, that will cause eratic idle.

For your steering, jack up the front end and check for play at the tie rod ends as well as the other links. Usually loose tie rods will cause it to shake. If it's just wandering, it is likely a worn steering box. Also check your rag joint (coupling between steering column and steering box). If that's loose or damaged, it can cause slop as well. Can also be dangerous if it comes apart while driving down the road, so definately check that out.

 

If the steering box is worn and causing the slop you'll have to replace or rebuild it. While there is an adjustment screw on top of the box all you can do is take the "feel" out when you take the slop out. Been there, done that, bought the box.

On the idle, while Kevin is right on what he said, bad valve sealing or a bad cam can cause it to lope at idle as well. I had a 351W with both of those problems at the same time and you wanted to shift into Neutral on the C6 at a stop or it felt like it would vibrate the mirrors off.

So, do the tuneup and check for vacuum leaks - especially at the base of the carb as they tend to work loose. But, if that doesn't do it then do a leak-down test to check the valves for leaking, and if that doesn't do it check for a cam with flat lobes.

 

First, determine if the P.O. replaced the feedback carburetor while removing the emissions equipment [look to see if there are wires going to the carburetor other than the single wire connected to the choke housing]. Does the current distributor have a vacuum cannister at the base?

 

A miss at idle isn't a good sign, but if it is simply loping it could be incorrect timing. In my experience more advance = less lope. You may have other problems though.

 

For the steering play, check the center link joint, where it hooks to the pitman arm. That joint gets the abuse from both front tires and will give you the play you are describing.

 

I saw this on an old F100 4x4, a 66.

The joint going to the drag link right off of the pitman arm was so loose, when you turned the steering wheel the joint would roll like it was doing a figure 8. The steering wheel also had about a full turn of play in it.

In fact, it was so loose, you could grab it with your hand and wiggle it back and forth.

Not to mention it was sitting on 38'' tires with a 10'' lift.

Horrible.