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I have found this page very helpful while I have been while restoring my 76 ford
But I created this account because I can't seem to find an answer to this problem
I bought a running, newly rebuilt 351w with a 4 speed to replace my tired 360
Problem is I can get the engine to run by pushing the gas or spraying starting fluid in the carb
But the truck won't idle
And it won't start till I hit the gas
I'm 18 years old and this is my first truck. So I'm not completely up to speed on most things and it's probably something simple I'm not seeing but I'm trying to learn
Thanks!
I'm young too man, you will learn a lot if you just keep reading up on these forums. Anyway, carbs are trail and error, you will have a fast idle screw close to your throttle linkage that you will have to adjust to whatever your motor likes, you will also have a fuel/air screw that you will have to adjust, i could tell you how to get the right mixture but it would be hard to explain on here and would be easier to just go on youtube and bring up a vid, looks like you got yourself an ol' Motor craft 2100 or 2150. Truck looks good
Thank you!
I didn't think that was gonna be the problem because they guy had it running in his truck
And all I did was take it out of his truck and put it in mine
We all start somewhere and we never stop learning. This place is by far the best. There's sooo much information here. And by the way I would change that fuel filter. Looks pretty nasty.
We all start somewhere and we never stop learning. This place is by far the best. There's sooo much information here. And by the way I would change that fuel filter. Looks pretty nasty.
what he said, fuel looks nasty, clean the filter, check the lines coming from the pump, you might have some bag gas, or your tank might be shot. If your filter keep getting dirty you would know. That could be your whole problem there.
I will go ahead and buy a new filter and blow out the lines
But I don't think the problem is there because when I hold the gas Pedal down it will run
I think there is a vacuum line missing
It's not sucking gas to keep the truck running during idle like it should
Does anyone have picture of how there lines are hooked up?
Mines a 351w with a mallory distributor
Might wanna hook a vacuum gauge up to the intake tree and see what its pulling, should be around 21 or so. Just go on google and search 351w vacuum line diagram, make sure you get your year. A loud hissing/sucking noise is a big sign of vacuum leak, just not fun looking for a leak.
Sweet looking truck, what kind/size tires are those?
Sounds more like a carb/fuel issue than vacuum
x3 on the fuel filter (#1) - that looks like bad gas has passed through that filter. did that filter come with the engine or leftover from the previous engine? It can sure mess the carb up. Replace it with another one that you can see the filter/gas to see if the ugly comes back (which would indicate a problem with the tank)
Vacuum - I can't see the manifold port (#2) to know if there is a vacuum tree on it. Check/replace caps if there are. I see a cap on the front of the carb (#3) that looks good, check to see if it's too big for the outlet. Next, in the back where the vacuum hose from the brake booster connects to the back of the manifold (#4) may be another tree, check those to make sure they are closed/covered. (#5) Distributor vacuum, is that running to the carb? Are there any other hoses running to the carb? (if so, where from?)
Lastly (#6), This is a usually a PCV to the air cleaner or intake/carb depending on engine (one on the other side doesn't look like it goes anywhere but is open at least). Might remove the tape to let the crankcase breath a little.
X4 on dirty fuel. I am still picking up junk that collects in the carb and plugs the idle jets, causing a rough idle. I really need to get rid of the cool glass filter with it's way to porous element.
You can check for vacuum leaks with a quick spray of carb cleaner. Spritz all around the base of the carb. Don't flood it with cleaner, a 1 second spray is all you need. If you hit a leak, the engine will speed up briefly then go back to running rough. You will need to hold the throttle open a bit to keep it running if it's really bad. Use the idle speed screw, not the mixture screws.
I will change a few things this morning then pick up new vacuum plugs and fuel filters from the auto parts store on the way home and get back to yall later tonight
Thanks! To everyone that replied
If it does turn out to be junk in the fuel, you will have to figure out a way to clean out the idle jets.
Best way is to pull the carb and take it apart. Just spraying carb cleaner down from the top may do it as the crud is usually stuck in the top side of the jet so you'd need to spray from the other side. On the other hand, you just might get lucky.
If you choose to use compressed air to blow it clean, be aware that atomized gas is EXTREMELY flammable and you run a very real risk of a fire if you manage to ignite it.
Glad to see you taking on a project like this - I had a '78 w/302 for my first truck when I was a teenager. Great experiences working on it.
Idle screw adjustment made no difference...well I think it's the carb but the next cheapest thing to rule out is the vacuum (BigCountry1978's vacuum check).
If carb you might be looking at a rebuild. only other thing I can think of is bad gas (since that didn't come with the "new" engine). Could run some from a gas can to see if any different.
When it's running (with your foot on the gas), whats the lowest RPM you can hold it to before it dies?
