I’ve had this problem with my truck ever since i got it. I have a 1983 Ford ranger, but the engine is out of a 1970 f150. I start the truck, and it fires up fine. However, when I put it into gear (c6 transmission) the truck can just idle. When I attempt to rev it up, the truck dies. What could be causing this? The truck is carbonated, and has a duraspark 2 spark module. The choke is electronic too.

 

If this is a 83 truck running all 83 IGN and carb the truck dose not care the year motor.
With this said you should ahve posted in the 80 to 86 truck area.

But when it dies dose it just shut off like the key was turned off or run out of gas?
If it just dies like the key off I would replace the DSII box on the inner fender as a start.
When you buy it ask for top of the line box as they will try and sell you the cheap one with out asking.
Dave ----

 

You said it's a 70 302. Does it have points or electronic ignition? Points distributors would do weird stuff like that when the breaker plate went bad.

If it's electronic, it may also be inside the distributor. The wires to the pickup might be breaking. Either way, I would look there. The DS module usually dies after it gets hot.

 

X3 it's probably an ignition problem.

 

It does sound more like ignition is turning off rather than it running out of fuel. Time to replace the module. Any recommendations on a brand?

 

It is a tossup between the module and the stator
Those rotunda breakerless ignition testers are a thing of the past but I have one
If you run a duraspark you might want to find and get one
Otherwise you are guessing

 

What kind of carbonation are you using? I've had trouble in the past with it being plain flat and not allowing it to rev up

 

The carburetor must function properly that is for sure
Check the accelerator for squirt with the engine off and check the rate of ignition timing advance with it running
Go over all the basics, fuel level in the carburetor, base time
Explain rev it up and it dies?
Maybe your carb is running short of fuel? Needle and seat issue or fuel pump?

 

Durasparks just flat out die
And often
They do not rev up then die
Well, at least, I have never seen one rev up then die, and have the ignition module or stator in the distributor be the problem

 

It’s a re-manufactured carb from summit. Idk what could be out of the ordinary, it sprays fuel when you pull the throttle.
@manicmechanic007 When i say “rev up and dies” I mean it will be fine in idle, but as soon as i push the accelerator the engine dies. I have not checked timing on the engine just yet. A buddy of mine that works on a lot of carbs took it apart and did not find anything out of the ordinary as far as he could tell. How could I check if the fuel pump is working properly? It’s just a stock pump.

 

If it idles then your pump is probably fine. Maybe float level, timing

 

Yes, I doubt it is a carb issue
You are explaining a plugged cat condition with the dying problem
You need to vacuum test the engine and check it for exhaust restriction
It's easy with a vacuum gauge. You have one?

 

You said it acts like you shut the key off. An immediate and definite stall out. Right?
Not slowing down, sputtering, and just limping to its death?

An immediate stall can ONLY be ignition related.....

 

What ever parts you get ask for top of the line. It will be more money but you get what you pay for.
Also if you dont ask you will get the cheap one as they dont want you checking with others only to find they charges more for the part.

On my 81 F100 with a six I went with NAPA top of the line box and no issues in the year it has been installed.

For the most part yes they heat up and just stop working till they cool down and start working again till they heat back up.
But .......... if you hang out it the later truck areas you will stat to see some strange stuff happen and when the IGN box was changed it was fixed.
Some of the boxes use a timing retard on start up and this has kicked in when just driving and cause issues and was hard to track down.

I have also seen posts of the pick up coil inside the dist. cause some issues that were hard to find also.
1 had a cracked magnet and when it heated up would cause a miss but not all the time either.

Remember the parts are pushing some years and what showed up back in the day dose not always show up the same way today.
Just like points & condensers new parts can be bad out of the box or go bad shortly there after.
It is what it is

BTW to see if it is the wires to the pick up coil disconnect the vacuum to the dist. and see if that changes anything.
Vacuum makes the plate move and the wires then move.
Weight advance only the rotor moves not the plate.
This was a big thing with early GM HEI IIRC
Dave ----

 

Just thought of something check the horse shoe connection at the coil as they have been known to have issues of bad connections.
When the RPM goes up the motor moves and the connection breaks and the motor dies.
Dave ----