I know this is a constant topic, but I just couldn't find an answer by searching old posts. I have an 84 F-150 with a 351w HO. I put a remanned long block in a few years ago and have only put on less than 10,000 miles. Last year, I rebuilt the stock Holley 4180C. The thing started up every morning through a Buffalo winter. Since February I use the truck occassionally, and it can sit for a few weeks at a time. This summer it started to become very difficult to start, but I would manage to get it going. In the last month, it got worse. I have to give it starting fluid or gas down the carb to get it started. As always, once I get it running, the thing runs like a dream. So I started changing things to try to fix the situation. First, tune up with rotor, cap and plugs. Second, a new ignition module (that flat thing bolted on the fender wall, I think that's what its called). Next, a new fuel pump. Gas gushes out of that sucker when I turn the key, but I don't have a pressure guage installed. So, it seems to me to be a carb problem, but I would like a second opinion as to what could be wrong with it, as the truck runs great once it gets going. I have seen on other posts that there something in the distributor that can go haywire (TDC, TDI or something like that?). Should I try a new distributor (much cheaper) first or go for a new carb?? Thanks in advance to anyone that replies.
-Tom

 

I would go to a new carb, since you stated you have to put gas in it through the inlet, when you rebuilt it, you might had left something out, or didn't adjust the float....could also be the fuel filter (inline) choke(electric or automatic)(too lean mixture etc etc. no fuel filter means trash (rust particals, pieces of the fuel gage, dirt from windy days while filling, bad gas from a gas station that isn't use from the public much could have water and rust from their under-ground tanks...) any of these things could be it. Change all of the fuel filters, if that doesn't do it....I'll go with the new carb if I'm not sure about my rebuild of the old one.

 

Thanks for the reply. I agree, that's my gut feeling too. I just wanted to see if there was anything I missed. As for the fuel filter, all I have is the small porous metal filter that bolts onto the fuel inlet of the carb (it's only a few months old). It doesn't seem like much of a filter for such a big carb/engine, but it seems to be the only filter on the truck.

 

If you can blow through it, well its good....it can be stopped up if you have to put an effort to blow through it...I would put an inline clear filter nest to it to see if the fuel pump is pumping fuel to it, if it is, and not much is going in it, loosen it someplace to let the pressure out then tighten it. start it to look for fuel in the filter again, if none, replace fuel pump.