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Old Jan 23, 2023 | 01:52 PM
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From: IDAHO
looking for help

so my truck runs fine and drives fine when my 4wd is not activated but as soon as it is activated it just cuts out can i get some help diagnosing it. thanks
 
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Old Jan 23, 2023 | 02:01 PM
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So it starts, idles and shifts fine in 2wd? And when you lock in the front axle hubs, put the transfer case lever in 4H or 4L it (the motor) will not run right? Auto or manual transmission?
 
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Old Jan 23, 2023 | 02:21 PM
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you might start with some details on what your truck is, year, engine (and trans as Rich mentioned)...since the '73-'79 ford 4x4 system is activated with a manual shift lever, that "should" have no effect on how your engine runs...
 
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Old Jan 23, 2023 | 02:22 PM
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From: IDAHO
yep when it is put into 4wd it ran once in 4 low but little bit after it did not want to run in eather 4 low and 4 high and i have a 1978 f150 with the 400 4wd automatic transmission
 
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Old Jan 23, 2023 | 02:27 PM
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Like just stated the engine (operation as in idling and or running) and 4wd are not connected in no way. Electric or other wise, so one should not affect the other. BUT the auto trans is connected to the engine via a vacuum line. Does the trans shift up and down just fine when the truck is in 2wd?
 
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Old Jan 23, 2023 | 03:10 PM
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From: IDAHO
Originally Posted by 77&79F250
Like just stated the engine (operation as in idling and or running) and 4wd are not connected in no way. Electric or other wise, so one should not affect the other. BUT the auto trans is connected to the engine via a vacuum line. Does the trans shift up and down just fine when the truck is in 2wd?
think so i have not bean able to drive it because i am currently overhauling the cooling system thermostat, hoses, gasket, coolant change/ clean.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2023 | 05:01 PM
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So… get back to us when that work is done and you are trying to drive the truck again. There will be specific questions that you need to provide specific answers to. We can’t really do much more to help at this point. Ambiguity and lack of data, even if it’s just empirical, only serves to muddy the waters.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2023 | 09:16 PM
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This theoretically wouldn’t act like you were saying, but double check that the front and rear differentials share the same gear ratios.
If for some reason someone put 4.11s in the rear and kept 3.50s in the front, that would cause a binding. But it wouldn’t normally stall the engine or cause it to run rough.
It would certainly make shifting into and out of different transfer case gears harder.

When you get a chance too, make sure there are no wires dangling near the front driveshaft or any shift levers.
Just throwing out wild idears for you to consider while scratching your head or pulling out hair. 😁😉🙄
 
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Old Apr 2, 2023 | 08:35 PM
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From: IDAHO
well i'm back and took it for a drive and it barley runs any thoughts.

i hooked up a vacuum gauge and tried to tune it and it did nothing and it runs better with choke on so i assume its vacuum
mainly because the tree was literally being blocked by a screw so if you guys have a vacuum diagram would really help thanks

by the way incase you guys did forget what my truck is it is a 1978 f150 with the 6.6 lt 400 4wd with a automatic transmission

thanks and have a great one
 
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Old Apr 2, 2023 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Phenixgarage
i hooked up a vacuum gauge and tried to tune it and it did nothing and it runs better with choke on so i assume its vacuum
mainly because the tree was literally being blocked by a screw so if you guys have a vacuum diagram would really help thanks
The engine running better when the choke is closed, usually indicates something such as it’s running very lean (because the choke richens up the fuel/air mixture) or the spark from the ignition is very weak.
possibly indicating vacuum leaks. Which leads to the next questions.

The vacuum tree is not supposed to be open. If part of it was blocked with a screw, it was probably to close an unused port, or stop a vacuum leak.
Did you remove the screw? And if so is the port it was blocking now open?

Any chance you can post up some detailed pictures of the area around the engine? Specifically the area around the carburetor and vacuum tree?

thanks.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2023 | 01:14 AM
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Poster isn't running it in 4wd when noticing a drag or "unwillingness to git" ... on hard surface roadway is he? Even with factory close match gear sets, the difference in tire pressures / loading / and things like 3.54 frt and 3.50 rear gear will bind the power train. Even 4.10 vs 4.11 while seeming to match, will do it.

 
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Old Apr 3, 2023 | 01:15 AM
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From: IDAHO
Originally Posted by 1TonBasecamp
The engine running better when the choke is closed, usually indicates something such as it’s running very lean (because the choke richens up the fuel/air mixture) or the spark from the ignition is very weak.
possibly indicating vacuum leaks. Which leads to the next questions.

The vacuum tree is not supposed to be open. If part of it was blocked with a screw, it was probably to close an unused port, or stop a vacuum leak.
Did you remove the screw? And if so is the port it was blocking now open?

Any chance you can post up some detailed pictures of the area around the engine? Specifically the area around the carburetor and vacuum tree?

thanks.
i got a proper cap to block it. there is noting connected to the tree besides the engine and brake booster. all blocked with caps on the tree. and with the fuel mixture even when i adjusted the mixture screws the engine did not change its sound or even run smoother it only had two phases rough running or dead
 
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Old Apr 3, 2023 | 01:27 AM
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From: IDAHO

this is all i got besides this old ad for a school project when i first bought the truck and had only put in a new fuel pump and fuel sender unit and cleaned out the tank back in 2021 december i think though it runs even rougher now then the video portrayed Download 5A262B02-D85D-4528-BF23-7E0827FE4CD8.MOV


 
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Old Apr 3, 2023 | 01:29 AM
  #14  
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From: IDAHO
Originally Posted by tbear853
Poster isn't running it in 4wd when noticing a drag or "unwillingness to git" ... on hard surface roadway is he? Even with factory close match gear sets, the difference in tire pressures / loading / and things like 3.54 frt and 3.50 rear gear will bind the power train. Even 4.10 vs 4.11 while seeming to match, will do it.
also figured out that it is mainly because of my engine not being in proper running condition
 
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Old Apr 3, 2023 | 01:29 AM
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From: IDAHO
also forgot to mention the overhaul on the carb
 
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