I would appreciate some advice from the older and wiser members of this board please.
I've got a 1976 F150 XLT with a 390 cu. in. FE, 4bbl. Holley carb, automatic C6 tranny, 2wd.
New timing chain and gears, rebuilt the carb, changed filter and the tranny fluid from the torque converter and tranny, new transmission vacuum modulator, newer power steering pump, new rear brake cylinders, new electric choke, and there's probably some othe things I don't remember right now. It's got a Ford Motorcraft fiberlass topper that came with the vehicle new from the factory.
It's got 130,000 miles on it and it reads between 16 and 20 on the vacuum guage. The engine runs quiet. And the exhaust system is new.

I've literally put blood, sweat, and tears into tring to maintain and keep this vehicle goin' but I'm tired of puttin' the time and money into it.

After I rebuilt the carb and put all the timing stuff into it, it still doesn't run right. Tranny slips and the timing which is supposed to be at 16 degrees BTDC is way off the scale. Carb probably needs to be professionally tuned. It needs someone with more diagnotic capabilities and equipment than I possess.

In other words, it probably needs to be brought into the shop which I can't afford at this time and to complicate the matter, the ##### neighbor that I have complains to the city about my vehicles and so I get the cops over here all the time checking how many cars I got parked around my yard. (I actually have to park one of my cars over at a friends house so that I'm with the city's allowable limits of four vehicle outside.

I don't know what to do. Should I sell it. Should I hang onto it.Keep sinkin' more money into it which I can't afford right now. It's probably close to running good but I'm at the point of givin' up If I do sell it I would give first option to someone in the club here because I know they would have an interest in the vehicle or it's parts.

I know some of you guys have gone through this and wondering what is the best thing a person should do at this point.

This vehicle has been good to me and I like it a lot but I'm wondering when to cut my losses and move on.
Thanks, John.

 

If you like the truck and can afford to keep it(without spending a bunch more$$$), then I say keep it. It probably needs to be tuned. I had a bunch of little problems with mine that drove me crazy. I backed off for awhile, tried to read and learn all I could, asked my buddies, and with help and patience I got it together and running. Surprising how some small things can keep you from enjoying your ride. If you give us some more details, I'm sure someone will be able to help you out.



68 F-100 Short bed 2wd
302 C4 9" w/3.50 gears
Soon to be sportin' power discs and steering

 

I agree with numbersix on this one. It seems it will take some "fine tuning" on the carb, timing, and the bands in the trans. But of course, YOU are the one making the decision.

Wayne
e-mail
http://home.pacbell.net/whomrig

 

No offense, but DEEP SIX that Holley... Holley's are nothing but a pain.. always fumbling with them... Get yourself a 600cfm Edlebrock! either the 1405 manual choke or the 1406 Electric.
Excellent CARB! I bolted a 1405 onto my 360 FE Engine 7 years ago.... haven't touched it since.. ran great right out of the box!


Uzi... Yamaha Sleds, Honda Bikes, and Ford Trucks....

 

i guess if you sell it, since you have 4 other vehicles, you won't have to replace it...

but if you're thinking about getting rid of it, and buying something else...i can say from experience that a car payment costs me a lot more than it does to tinker on my old rig.

 

You said the timing is off the scale? It sounds like the timing and idle circuit needs a little tweak. All it takes is time. Adjust the idle mixture screws out 2 turns from closed and see if it will start. adjust the idle speed screw to get it going. adjust the timing back down to under 20. by then you should be able to adjust the mixture screws. it takes some time and a little back and forth between the mixture screws and timing but when you get it, you'll know it. I do have to agree about the Edelbrock carb, but if you don't have the funds for a mechanic (who does?) you don't need a new carb. Good luck and keep checking in here, we'll help.
Dave,
79 F-150 4x4, 390 w/C6, Edelbrock carb, 33X12.50 never will be finished.