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help!! ignition questions!

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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 07:53 PM
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help!! ignition questions!

Just got a non running 73 f100 with the 302 in it.. it barely wants to crank and when I finally get it to crank, sometimes it will idle smooth while feathering the throttle, but when I put it in gear I have to keep the rpms up.. but it will die mostly cus it runs rough.. I'm thinking its because of the old points system in it that's giving me the trouble.. so I was thinking I should swap it to electric ignition.. have any of yall had this problem? How did you fix it? Which kit did you use? I've got tons of questions as you can tell... Thanks in advance
 
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 07:59 PM
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Sounds more like a fuel/carb problem than ignition.
The point style really isn't very complex. Check the point gap, should be .017". I'd go ahead and do a tune up. New condenser, points, rotor at least.

How long did it sit "non-running"?
New fuel filter, drain and flush the tank, check all fuel lines, rebuild carb, etc.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 08:07 PM
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I put a new stock carb on it cus the one it had was trash, new plugs, wires, points, rotor and fuel filter.. I've had it about 6 months and just got to tinkering with it but before that Idk how long it had been since it ran..
 
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 09:48 PM
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Is your curb idle speed adjusted right? Should idle in the 700-800 range in gear. I'd check that out.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2013 | 10:28 PM
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I'm not sure.. how do I adjust it if its not?
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 07:31 AM
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Alright go out to your truck and open the hood, take your air cleaner off and then standing on the drivers side look at the carb. You can see where your throttle linkage hooks up. Where it hooks up to the carb there will be a screw that is on the back of the throttle linkage on the carb. You can't miss it it's the only one there.


Now taking a flat head give it a full turn clockwise. This should actually put your throttle a little high, so adjust as nessary and that would be able to tell you if this is the problem or not.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 08:12 AM
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Curb idle screw
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 08:58 AM
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If that was the problem wouldn't it run better when I put my foot to the floor? I cant keep it runnin to save my life, it runs super rough.. like its choking or somethin. Which is why I believe its either a timing problem or ignition..


Originally Posted by MikePacey
Alright go out to your truck and open the hood, take your air cleaner off and then standing on the drivers side look at the carb. You can see where your throttle linkage hooks up. Where it hooks up to the carb there will be a screw that is on the back of the throttle linkage on the carb. You can't miss it it's the only one there.


Now taking a flat head give it a full turn clockwise. This should actually put your throttle a little high, so adjust as nessary and that would be able to tell you if this is the problem or not.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 09:35 AM
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Just do the complete tuneup as Mike suggested. Check firing order and timing. Starting with an unknown engine you have to go to basics.
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 12:06 PM
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plus you mentioned how long it sat, you put a carb on but did you drain, clean the tank, and flush the fuel lines, sounds like bad gas to me
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 03:23 PM
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Is the idle mixture screws adjusted right?
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 07:50 PM
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I'm not quite sure what that is..


Originally Posted by MikePacey
Is the idle mixture screws adjusted right?
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 07:53 PM
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I did to some extent.. but wouldn't it clean out after running for a few minutes? I drained the tank n put new gas in it, but it didn't help at all..
Originally Posted by ford_pickup
plus you mentioned how long it sat, you put a carb on but did you drain, clean the tank, and flush the fuel lines, sounds like bad gas to me
 
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Old Aug 1, 2013 | 08:58 PM
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Agreed that you likely need to do a tune-up, including setting the idle mixture screws using a vacuum gauge. I recommend you pick up a Haynes or Chilton's manual to help you get started with some of the more basic tasks.
 
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