[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-Mar-01 AT 02:39 PM (EST)[/font][p]I just got my truck(77 F150 4x4) running again we let it run and warm up well I shut it down let it cool because of the ratiator needs fixed so about a half hour later I went out to start it so I could bring it up and change the oil and pull the radiator. Jumped in turned the key turns over extremly slow let off turn it again turns over faster starts firing but dies out, turn the key again starts up but dies out, again but turns over extremly slow any thoughts? the motor is a 351M with about 130-140k on it. It only does this when its warm, when its cold we shut it off and checked to see if it would start before it was up to temp it would start right up.

Thanks
Curtis
77_F150_4x4 aka
"The BeAsT"

 

I would check timing ie timing chain. Also could be battery or starter problem. If you rule those out maybe someone has another idea.

 

You got it right when you said starter. Get another starter.

Speed aint all that important, there were Snails on board the Ark, along with the Cheetas!

 

yep thud said it starter espically if you have headers

 

Yes it does have headers, I just changed the oil on it now it seems to run alot smoother and starts easier. I will get a new starter or have mine rebuilt.

Thanks
Curtis
77_F150_4x4 aka
"The BeAsT"

 

Would there be any chance it could be the alternator? how would I check that I have been told start it and pull off a battery cable is this correct?

Thanks
Curtis
77_F150_4x4 aka
"The BeAsT"

 

I wouldn't pull the battery cable off. Do you have a good voltmeter? With the truck off, put the meter on the battery and take a reading. It should be in the neighborhood of 12 volts(meters can vary a little). Now start the truck and with the
truck running check the battery voltage again. It should be higher than it was with the truck off. How much higher will depend on the condition of the battery, but it should be higher.
If it stays the same or lower, something is wrong with the charging system.

 

Yeah you can pull the battery cable off too, start it turn on the headlights and take the negative cable off if it dies its not charging if it stays running its charging

 

Check batt. with a hydrometer to make sure cells are equal when fully charged
Test alt with voltmeter as pereviously mentioned
Make sure timing is ok
Have starter checked for draw down
Make sure ground cable is adiquate , I have found this to be the problm many times makes them turn real hard when hot.
try to make a shield between headers and starter, quite simple!

DON'T
pull bat cables with engine running as you have a good chance of taking out the regulator and diodes, it happens!!!!!!
Please e-mail me direct when you find the problem. Hope I have helped and good luck
Dave

 

Well yesterday I got home i was going to check everything now it turns over fires but I have to pour gas in the carb then it will die. Im going to try the timing on it I dont think my dad tightend the distributor hold down I hope i dont want to do that all over again.

Thanks
Curtis
77_F150_4x4 aka
"The BeAsT"

 

With the engine shut-off a voltmeter should read 12V. When you start the truck the alternator should charge at 14.5V. If its not charging at 14.5V its either your battery or your alternator. My truck has been sitting for 4 or 5 years and when I got around to getting it started again it was still charging at 14.5V.

Fordy

1978 F-250 Custom 351M,4 spd.

 

Okay i just put on the new starter now it wount start it turns over fires sometimes an then it will die. I checked the fuel pump is pumping gas the fuel filter is good the carb is dumping gas in like it should it has spark but it still wount start. We set the timing on it and it started right up before do we need to do that again? If it is the timing why would it jump off like that I barly got it past idle mabey hit 2,000rpms, help I am all out of ideas.

Thanks
Curtis
77_F150_4x4 aka
"The BeAsT"