This, as Paul Harvey says. is a strange..
I have a 64 f100 with a transplanted 70 390.
It will stall, but only when:
1) engine is good and hot,
2) engine is stressed i.e., going uphill
3) it will start back up immediately and then run fine.
4) seems like it happens after I have traveled somewhere and then stopped and started it back up, which means the engine is good and hot, back to condition #1.


I'm thinking it's got to be fuel... Maybe the filter is too close to the block??
Anybody ever heard of the 390 referred to as a boat anchor, because that's all it's good for?
Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

things I would check are
1) Battery to engine ground wire. "looks ok" isn't a good test. sometimes they loosen when hot.

2)Carb bowl venting. if it's plugged up, it may not be getting gas right

3) Fuel pump. It may be getting ready to kick the bucket and not giving enough pressure

4)Coil. these can fail, and that can show up when they get hot.

5) General engine tuning. Timing, dwel, points. condenser. Cap. Rotor. Plugs and wires.

 

It sounds like a possible vapor lock, altho it likely would not start back up so readily. You might want to check next time if there is fuel at the carb, the acc. pump should squirt a steady stream when you pump the acc. looking down the carb throat. Might also check your gas cap for proper venting. The other heat related items mentioned are good parts to check.

 

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If your 390 is like all the 390s I ever had, or to be more specific anything with an Autolite/Motorcraft carburetor then the carb is causing the problem. For some reason these carbs like to keep feeding gas slowly after the engine has been shut down. Especially in hot weather. Again all my 390's did this and recently I have had the same problem with a one barrell on a 300 six. The engines always seem flooded on a hot start after sitting several minutes. Once I'd get the engine started they had a tendency to stall once or twice and then go. Your engine stalling on hills sounds is indication of fuel starvation. Believe it or not ignition troubles are not out of the question but I say fuel.

I am pretty good with carburetors but I have never found a cure for Autolite/Motorcraft post nasal drip other than using another brand of carburetor. With my 300 I went to a Carter YF and the problem is gone. With my last 390 I went to a Rochester Quadrajet and the performance improvement was so great that if I ever own another THAT is the first thing I will add.

For now with Uncle George's oil war I am enjoying my 65 with 300 3spd overdrive. Maybe one day the price of gas will be reasonable again so I can afford to cruise a big iron again.

 

I had carb problems with Holley carbs on a 390 also. Went through 2 Holley 4 barrel carbs. I switched to an Edelbrock 650 and an MSD ignition box. Made a big difference in performance and no more problems. Gas mileage was poor but it had 4.10 gears in a Dana 60 rear axle. It would pull great.

 

The going uphill issue sounds like fuel, replace the inline filters.

As far as the boat anchor comment, that will only come from an airhead bowtie owner, because they aint got nothing that will touch it. Their 350 is a good engine, but it won't hold a light for the 390. IMHO

John