Ok guys - I am at my wits end here. Just got ahold of a a 79 F-250 4x4, XLT Ranger, Camper Special......Will start when jumped only. Altenator is putting out fine. Voltmeter says that both batteries are fine. Voltage regular sems to be fine becasue voltmeter shows an increace in voltage across the battery when RPM increaces. I have no idea what to do now, I am clueless. Tried the test light between the post and the disconnected neg. terminal ....the light didn't come on at all. How are dual batts sopposed to be wired into the system together? I just have more problems than I can deal with right now and need help!!!!
Also, under loads it backfires and loses all power....when I let off the gas when I am moving it sputters (hard to explain) sounds like a race car at idle I guess......oh yeah it is a 351M swapped in after the original 400 went. I have the good block stripped and a set or rods and pistons and heads if anyone wants a cheap M block 400.
Anyone know about other little things like blower motors, dash backlighting, shift indicator light (Auto - C6), horn relay, cruise control reconnect? It had it originally but doesnt work since the swap.
I was looking at replacement headlighs to convert from the sealed beam to those little "modern" plug in style....my headlights suck! ANyone ever hear of or use these? Are they any good?
I want to lift the truck too, but want to do it CHEAP - any ideas?

Please help ASAP.....anything...?

-Shawn

 

forgot to mention its a supercab if that matters at all.....has a ford FACTORY topper on the bed....in case anyone was interested - I never knew that was even an option until I bought the truck. Also, the rear seats are the "jumpseat" type that is found in some of the newer ranger extended cab mini-pickups where the seats fold down from the sides - is this factory? It looks good and I like it, but I've never seen it before. I also have the backseat bench style for a supercab as well as a pair of front buckets from a 78-79 bronco if anyone is interested. Also have a chrome grille surround and two of the interts as well as a center console for inbetween the buckets from the same bronco.

-Shawn

 

Hey,

I will try to help as best as I can.

As for the starting problem, I would begin at the starter motor and work backwards, looking for voltage when turning the key to "start"

I would begin at the starter, then move to the solenoid on the inner fender, then to the battery.

Also look at the drive to the solenoid, the two little wires that go to the front of the solenoid, I think there should be a 12V signal there when the key is turned to "start". You could try posting in the electrical forum. The guy you really need to hear from is "Sparky", he is quite good.

As for the sputtering problem, there are so many things it could be.

1) Is the choke OK? (IE not stuck on?) Does it only act up when cold?

2) Is the timing OK? (IE does the vac advance work?)

3) Are there any vacuum leaks? You can check for them with your fingers, or spray carb cleaner around the carb. If the idle picks up you have a leak. Sometimes you can hear them if they are bad enought. If you have access to a vacuum gauge it would be worth hooking it to the manifold vac. to see what it is doing.

4) Is the accelerator pump hooked up/working on the carb? Is should be located at the front of the carb with a small linkage back to the accelerator linkage. This pump is supposed to give a strong shot of gas when you open the throttle.

5) Are the ignition parts OK? (IE Plugs, wires, cap etc?)

6) How long has the truck been sittiing, if at all?

7) Is the fuel filter clogged?

8) Fuel pump OK?

Post back some more details and we can try to help more,

good luck,
-Brents

 

I suggest your battery is toast.
Because of the enormous energy the starter needs,compared to a headlight to illuminate,it just doesn't have the power.
Take it in and have the battery tested.


Regarding your parts for sale.
I suggest putting an AD in the classifieds.
Although there are some people here looking for most of those parts,
It's a better place for you sell them.
I think there were 4 guys here looking for a topper.

It looks like your problems can be rectified easily from reading the tech articles.
Headlights
Dual-Battery hook-up

Check the Electrical section too.

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