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Feb 7, 2002 | 10:34 PM

brknfrd

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Joined: Feb 2002

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81 300

I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with this, I've got a 300 that doesn't like to idle, I believe I have plugged all the vacuum leaks but the one thing that really confounds me is that it idles terrible but when I pull the #6 plug wire, it smoothes out and the idle increases. I've checked the timing and firing order repeatedly to no luck, I will add that I have only had this truck a short time and may be putting together someone else's puzzle, does anyone know what I may be missing?
Also, does the vacuum advance use ported or manifold vacuum?

thanks
df

Feb 10, 2002 | 06:01 PM

lastchance

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Joined: Apr 2001

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From: South Central PA

81 300

Well, one thing I can help you with is the vacuum advance. It should go to ported vacuum. As far as the miss and the mystery of pulling the number 6 plug wire I think I would do a compression check. sounds like maybe you have a burnt valve or a blown head gasket, but a comptression test should show something up. By the way, Welcome to FTE!

Feb 10, 2002 | 10:23 PM

brknfrd

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thanks for the reply, I figured the dist. used ported vac. but didn't want to assume. I did a compression check the other day and it didn't turn anything up, I think the carb is shot, that would explain the awful idle but, the #6 wire's got me.. Is it possible that I have a newer dist. with an older motor? or a combination thereof (I know, long shot but I'm up for anything....) thanks again,

df

Feb 10, 2002 | 11:57 PM

rocky

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Sounds like a problem I had last week, maybe it will help. Had a lousy idle, got better when I touched the plug wire. Turned out the spark-plug wire and cap was bad, and spark from one cylinder was arcing to the radiator hose-clamp. Drove me nuts until I looked at it in the dark, then the problem was revealed.