Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

motor running lean?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 12, 2014 | 10:44 PM
  #1  
Lumpy78's Avatar
Lumpy78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
motor running lean?

I got a 78 f150 and I decided to go old school with a 68 289 hi po, motor runs great but always seems starved and have to feather it has a autolite 4100 serious 4 barrel on it. So took it apart nothing out of the ordinary but to me the jets seem to small primarys are 55 and secondarys 63 does this sound correct? Has a little bigger cam in then stock and just freshened motor up heads done little heavier springs nothing major though. Anyone have any ideas?
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2014 | 07:45 AM
  #2  
fmc400's Avatar
fmc400
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Club FTE Gold Member
What does "seem starved" mean? Have you looked at your plugs? There is no other way to quantitatively identify a rich or lean condition.
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2014 | 08:40 AM
  #3  
Lumpy78's Avatar
Lumpy78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Runs fine if you keep it.reved up but wont idle plugs are new in it just seems like it's not getting enough fuel both bowls are full the two times I've popped the top of carb off. Idk if this helped ya much but any ideas you got would be great.
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2014 | 08:49 AM
  #4  
fmc400's Avatar
fmc400
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Club FTE Gold Member
I don't understand how you can jump to a diagnosis if you literally have nothing to go on. Telling me the plugs are new does not answer the question, but it's a moot point; jet size has very little impact on idle. For all you know, you could have a vacuum leak. Please connect a vacuum gauge and observe its behavior. If the motor won't idle, then your post should simply state that; not a convoluted question about jet size. This will help you be better at troubleshooting in the future.
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2014 | 11:12 AM
  #5  
Lumpy78's Avatar
Lumpy78
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
There isnt any vacuum leaks already checked all that, plugs are white in color meaning its lean correct?
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2014 | 12:30 PM
  #6  
fmc400's Avatar
fmc400
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Club FTE Gold Member
Please connect a vacuum gauge and describe the behavior of the needle. This is the only way to accurately diagnosis idle issues.
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2014 | 01:55 PM
  #7  
Jklnhyd's Avatar
Jklnhyd
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 5
From: Pasadena, Ca
Hijack:
What is an inexpensive tachometer (maybe handheld) to get when setting up a carb? Only option that i have seen is a timing light with tach for $100...
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2014 | 07:07 PM
  #8  
rockittsled's Avatar
rockittsled
Elder User
10 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Jklnhyd
Hijack:
What is an inexpensive tachometer (maybe handheld) to get when setting up a carb? Only option that i have seen is a timing light with tach for $100...
Is this cheap enough?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/an...FRBk7AodwQoAGQ
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 13, 2014 | 07:20 PM
  #9  
Jklnhyd's Avatar
Jklnhyd
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 5
From: Pasadena, Ca
I may just get the digital timing light, not a fan of analog
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
84GOAT300i6
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
33
Apr 22, 2024 07:54 PM
Quantum77
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
11
Dec 30, 2010 01:57 PM
hoxiii
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
2
Mar 14, 2007 03:10 PM
MOOK929RR
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
6
Aug 2, 2005 02:00 PM
mc_1_2_3
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Aug 2, 2001 12:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:51 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE