I have a 87 with a 460. I have absolutely no idea how carbureted motors work and what the tips and tricks are to get it started.

Obviously in a total newb... When should I use the choke? When the truck sits for a few days without being started it is especially stubborn to get started. I haven't not been able to get it started yet but it's kinda embarrassing when it takes several tires and it stalls out. When should I pump or hold has down?

Sorry for the stupidness of this post... I just thought maybe there is a simple tried and true method for this truck/motor. Thanks in advance.

 

It should be automatic, just tap the throttle pedal once before starting to set it.
It shouldn't take any tires
What is a has?
Tap throttle, start, should be that easy, if it isn't something is wrong.

 

My 81 C20 had a carb, and I used the following procedure to get it fired up:

Push pedal to floor, release. If it's extremely cold, pump it once or twice.

Crank the engine. Don't touch the throttle. Choke and fast idle cam will be on

Let the engine warm up slightly (Mine had the I6, so lots of metal for the fuel/air to flow through)

Quick rev to disengage the fast idle cam and return to low idle.


Youve probably noticed that when the engine is cold it falls flat on its face when you go WOT. Give it some time to warm up. The fuel will condense on the cold manifold, once it's warm it'll stay in vapor form.


Also- Only hold it WOT and crank if youve flooded it.

 

If it has original carb on it then blk250 has it right on.
My 87 f250 and my 86 e350 fires up very nicely. This is my start procedure for both...

When cold from sitting overnight, no matter what temp...
Push gas pedal twice...
Turn key on for a second, then crank over until it fires... If it don't fire up, but stumbles and is iffy, crank it for 15 seconds to make sure
If it fires up completely, awesome, but let it stall after a few seconds... (Yes, let it stall)
If warm outside, like summer time, push pedal once more, if cold, push twice...
Crank over until it starts. (If it's below zero, you may need to let it stall and do it one more time)
It WILL run and stay running if the carb hasn't been messed with. Holley did a great job on these carbs, and if it's set to factory specs, it will run and start perfect.

DO NOT, try to feather the gas and keep it running. You'll just frustrate yourself and flood the thing. Like was said, when you push the pedal, a properly set electric choke will close and set the high idle cam, once it warms up some, the choke will open and fast idle cam will undo when you tap the throttle.

 

Good post...and I'm glad read it. Recently purchased a 1987 F350 crew with a 460 carb. I've been feathering the gas while turning it over and it fires up every time. I feather it again after it sputters a little bit upon startup. Have had no issues with this method but didn't realize that's not the correct way. Could I be doing any damage this way?

 

No damage, just not using the equipment Ford put in there to make it easier.


Some are a bit more finnicky then others.

 

There isn't really anything wrong with feathering the throttle, if you have to do it though it means you need to make some adjustments.

 

Thanks for the lesson to the carb newbs.

 

It "has" "tires" though, right? I mean come on man, those are important.

Wait. Wut?

 

To the original poster....

Does it have the stock carb or is it aftermarket with manual choke?

 

Look man... all we know at this point is that it may or may not even have tires to roll around on. There might be bigger issues here. Oh Noes!

 

I agree with the advice above too.

The important part is that you mash the throttle ALL the way down before you hit the starter, since that sets the choke and high idle.

Interesting to note, even my 96 EFI truck will idle down by tapping the throttle after engine start. Works just like an actual high idle cam.

 

Spot on, gentlemen. One pump of the throttle, turn key over, then fire it up...no need to feather the gas...goes right in to high idle until a quick touch of the throttle again to send it to low idle, and we're off!!!!