Here is what happens- when the bronco starts it will start up and then die like someone turend the key off after about 3 -4 mins. Then it acts like its flodded. It will start up again after waiting a few mins. This also happens when going down the road and some times it will start right back up - other times you need to pull over and wait 2 -3 mins. Is this electrical? Vapor lock? Vaccum issue? Help!!!! It is driving me crazy! I replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, plugs, re-installed the intake gaskets, nothing works. Thanks in advance for the feedback.
-ddh

 

When it dies, are you getting spark? Have you removed the air cleaner and worked the throttle to see if the accel pump is squirting fuel?

Jason

 

Check for spark the next time it dies. Take an old spark plug wire and cut off the plug boot and strip off some of the insulation exposing about 1/4 in. of the internal wire core. Snap that on in place of one of the cylinder wires on the distributor and hold the exposed wire against the block or valve cover. Have someone else crank it. If you see a spark, it's not a spark issue.

Does it surge before it dies? Surging is a tell-tale sign of fuel starvation. If so, it could be rust in the gas tank - that's what happened to me. The rust starts to collect in the fuel filter, and eventually clogs it... I would get about half an hour of drive time before the surging kicked in.

Would have to let it set for 10 minutes, an then could restart it and drive for antoher half hour again. I tried everything else first.. coil, plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump, etc. Eventually arrived at spliting open the fuel filter and finding it filled with rust.

What was happening was the rust would clog the filter. When I let it sit, most of the rust would flow back to the tank - freeing up the filter enough to start and drive some more.

I got a plastic tank from MTS.. available directly from the mfctr or through Jeff's Bronco Graveyard. Had no problems at all after that.

If it does end up being the tank, it's a great time to replace the in tank filter/strainer and fuel filler hoses.

Good luck.

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stanz
74 Bronco Sport, 302 Stock
79 F250 Trailer Special, 460 4x4 Extend Cab

 

No rust going on. I put a new fuel filter in and it does the same. Engine shutters when the key is turned and then it makes a whirring noise and wont turn over. Could it be the ingnition? Or could the distributor be freaking out. Just trying to figure out if it is fuel or electrical. I have heard that with a 4 barel carb the stock fuel pumps are not good enought and I should upgrade to an electrical fuel pump- Thoughts??

 

Has this suddenly come about? Did you fill up at a different place then usual? Try a little "Heat" additive in the tank. I had a 302 in a mustang and if I filled up at a Phillips 66, Texaco, and other no-name places, I had similar trouble. But then I would have to keep the rmps pretty high to keep it running after that.

Check your battery. test your alternator. I think an electrical pump is good anyway, but it could be symtoms of a failing mechanical pump. I had to bypass my mechanical pump for heat reasons, but if you want to replace yours and add an electrical pump, that's good. Just make sure and put the Elec. pump as close to the tank as possible.

J.D.

 

To test the ignition, follow my instructions above. To test the fuel, pull the fuel hose off and aim it in to a cup or can. Then have a friend crank the motor. Check to see what kind of volume you're getting. You can also hook up a handheld pressure guage to check your pressure.

Is your distributor points or electronic?

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stanz
74 Bronco Sport, 302 Stock
79 F250 Trailer Special, 460 4x4 Extend Cab
03-24-2005 05:30 AM

 

its an electronic distributor. Also it works better with a full tank of gas. Any ideas?

-ddh

 

Still sounds like rust in the tank. There's a strainer on the fuel pick up inside the tank. Sounds like when the gas is low, it's clogging with sediment.

The rust may not even be leaving the tank. That's my bet.

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stanz
74 Bronco Sport, 302 Stock
79 F250 Trailer Special, 460 4x4 Extend Cab

 

Somebody pulled a trick on you and dropped a ping-pong ball in the tank. gets sucked up, but when the truck dies...it floats again.

 

I thought about that too- I think its the fuel pump, i just orderd a new high out put (110gph) to use instead of the stock one I just replaced. When it dies the see-through fuel filter just has gas trickleing through it until it dies and restarts a few times and then once it is warm it seems to bee better. Oh the fun!!! I think the fuel pump will help. But it does run grat once it has been running for 15-20 mins.

 

Its all fixed!!!! Put in a new Mallory HEI distributor and it runs like a champ! Thanks for all the help.

-ddh