1974 Ford F-100 Ranger with a 390 bigblock. 4 barrel edelbrock carb.
Several days ago, went and filled the truck up, ran fine that night. Next morning went out to start the truck for work and my friend came out and said he needed a ride to his POE. Said we had to go now or he would be late. So the truck hadnt warmed up all the way. (live in southern California so it was a little chilly) drove the truck and it ran sluggish because it hadnt warmed up all the way. Dropped him off and went to my POE. Still ran slow and sluggish. First thought was i flooded the carb because i was giving it alot of gas to stay running. Let her sit until the next afternoon to maybe hope it would run. It started and ran like garbage and backfired alot and shot a few fire ***** out of the carb and then instantly died when i let off the gas. So next thought was the timing is off or someone messed with my distributor cap because it was in the parking lot. Looked at diagrams and figured nothing was messed with so next thought was the electric control module was stuck open. Spent a few days went through a starter and a battery this week. Finally got the timing down (i think) it runs and the idle is still a little rough but when i go to give it gas it sounds like theres a vacuum leak somewhere but all of the lines and hoses were just replaced recently and i checked all of them. When i press the pedal it sounds like it isnt getting gas and sounds like air is coming out of the carb..
Yes the fuel pump works its fairly new. The fuel filter has fuel in it and the jets in the carb shoot fuel into the carb.
Any ideas/help?

 

how is your fuel mileage ? does it roll black smoke(over rich condition) out the tail pipe ?

 

Never any smoke other then in the mornings when i turn it on.

 

Hi FoPo 2038
Welcome to FTE.
Gonna have to break down your comments as they are a bit jumbled.

Cool

So it did not clean up as the truck warmed up. Correct?
BTW nice story about going to work.

That can happen when your choke is not adjusted or hooked up.

Didn't need to wait that long. It's not going to fix itself.

Sounds like timing. What changed?

The wires could be moved and look right unless you know where number 1 is.
Something change?
Is the ECM old? Check the bottom of it and see if it is cracked and/or burnt.

Now you've lost me.
How did the starter and battery get into this.
If there is a vacuum leak it could relate to your earlier stated bad running problem.
Check that the line from the carb to the distributor vacuum advance module is connected. Check carefully for leaks.

Good
It sounds to me like you need to verify your timing, make sure your choke is functioning, adjust your carb, and really check for vacuum leaks.
In other words, a real tune up, plugs and all to start from zero.
You Tube can really help if you don't know how to do something.
Just ask it a question and watch the vids.
We will be here to interpret and help.
Maybe a few other guys that know Ed carbs will jump in now that your problems are a little more spelled out.
Try to be specific with your questions.
And again, welcome to FTE
Where do you live in SoCal?

 

If your truck has DuraSpark electronic ignition (while introduced in 1974, not all trucks came with it until 1976), the module (located on the left fender inner apron) cannot get stuck.

The 3 step scenario of a failing DuraSpark ignition module:

1) Module overheats, engine dies. Module cools down, engine restarts almost at once.

2) Module overheats, engine dies. Module cools down, engine restarts in an hour...or so.

3) Sooner or later, usually sooner...the module overheats, BURNS OUT. Now the engine will not restart!

Taking the module to an autoparts store to be tested: Will test OK unless it has burned out.

The modules used in 1974 and 1975 were so troublesome, that Ford techs referred to DuraSpark as NeverSpark!

 

. Sounds like thermostat is stuck open... or it doesn't have one...

 

Does it use a power valve on the carb?

My old Ford carb would backfire violently and I was told that everytime that happens, it destroys that power valve.