302 possible fuel issue?
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4wd High
Joined: Dec 2024
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302 possible fuel issue?
I will add the video of what’s happening. Few days ago i was driving home and going up a hill accelerating fully my truck bogged down in rpms and just started sounding super unhealthy, filled up gas because I just figured maybe I could be low fuel, went to put in reverse at gas station and truck died. Next day I started her up and even in cold start idle she was only running 2500 rpm’s compared to the usual 3-4000 then once warmed up it died out.started back up but Doesn’t sound like it’s running good when last week she was running beautifully. Note I did check fuel filter, truck will start right up just fine, just doesn’t sound the healthiest. This is a new 302 5.0 and trans.. and I did do some adjusting to the carb about a week or 2 ago as well, ran fine for about 5-7 drives. I have a video but it’s too long for this page. I could send it privately if you’d really want to help.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
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4wd High
Joined: Dec 2024
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Safe to say it's not original to the truck then since all 5.0 trucks of this vintage were EFI. Your problem could be carb related, or ignition, or a vacuum leak, lots of possibilities. Something that comes on all of a sudden like this suggests more spark related to me, could just be a janky plug wire or the spark jumpng from one to another, make sure the wires are isolated from metal engine parts and each other. A good way to see this problem is to fire up the engine in complete darkness with all lights off, if you see a light show around any of the plug wires that is your problem.
Each plug is heat wrapped and not even the wrap is touching any headers or exhaust plenty of space. Don’t see any sparks flying either in the dark garage when I try to start up
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2025
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I had a very similar issue last year and it ended up being my plug wires. I did not see any sparks jumping either but it still fixed the issue. I noticed that the bad ones were really dry and slightly rusty inside the connector that plugs onto the park plug. Maybe check inside the end of the wire and see what it looks like.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2022
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Spritz some water on it in the dark.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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…could just be a janky plug wire or the spark jumpng from one to another, make sure the wires are isolated from metal engine parts and each other. A good way to see this problem is to fire up the engine in complete darkness with all lights off, if you see a light show around any of the plug wires that is your problem.
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4wd High
Joined: Dec 2024
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yes properly routed MSD performance plugs and boots. still have the paper work from it being brand new along with engine and trans from about a year or 2 ago. truck wasn’t driven all that often since then. I’ve been putting more miles on it lately. But I will look into the plugs. What’s the best way to test them? Just by looking at them I can see any issues?
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Fleet Mechanic
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Yes, the condition of the spark plugs is a good indicator for certain issues.
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