Help!! My engine won't start
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Help!! My engine won't start
OK so here is my truck: 78 F150 4x4 with a 400. It has an Edelbrock Performer carb, intake, MSD 6A ignition box, MSD Distributor and an unknown cam. This thing has run like a dream ever since I got it. UNTIL now. I noticed as time wore on I had to pump the gas pedal more and more to get it started. As of lately pump like crazy to get it going. Now it won't start. What gives? I'm not an expert mechanic by any means but if you describe what I am looking at and what to look for I could figure it out. Thanks
John
John
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 886
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From: Houston/Hope BC
First thing I'd do is pop the air cleaner and see if the accelerator pump is pushing gas out when you operate the carb. It may be as simple as a clogged fuel filter.
Go to the basics: must have fuel/air, spark, compression. GL
Go to the basics: must have fuel/air, spark, compression. GL
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Likes: 24
Here's something to try.
Get under the hood and pump the acellerator with your hand and look in the carb while doing this to see if fuel is actually being sprayed into the carb instead of pumping on the pedal and not knowing what is going on.
Your problem may be a loose wire on the ignition (that sometimes doesn't connect) and not fuel related.
If it is fuel, Sometimes these trucks require a special technique to get started and running,.
ie:from cold : 2 pumps - full choke ...3 cranks and it's running.
Look for fuel leak around the butterfly shaft.
If it leaks out fuel...it will leak in air.
Get under the hood and pump the acellerator with your hand and look in the carb while doing this to see if fuel is actually being sprayed into the carb instead of pumping on the pedal and not knowing what is going on.
Your problem may be a loose wire on the ignition (that sometimes doesn't connect) and not fuel related.
If it is fuel, Sometimes these trucks require a special technique to get started and running,.
ie:from cold : 2 pumps - full choke ...3 cranks and it's running.
Look for fuel leak around the butterfly shaft.
If it leaks out fuel...it will leak in air.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,377
Likes: 82
From: MA
It could be a bad fuel Pump. My sons 77 had the problem. When it sat he would have a tough time getting fuel topside. His eventually started leaking out the hole in the side of the fuel pump. I would check to see if there is fuel coming out the hole while cranking. I would also check the condition of the rubber hoses. They could be causing air in the lines.
Pretty cheap to replace fuel pump, filter, and hoses. If they don't fix it then it must be in the carb.
Pretty cheap to replace fuel pump, filter, and hoses. If they don't fix it then it must be in the carb.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
I had this same problem with my '73. If it sat for more than a day it took lots of cranking and pumping to get started. I replaced the fuel pump and filter (with a clear one) but didn't help. Then I looked over the rubber lines. There are a couple rubber hoses between the tank and the fuel pump. The one along the frame rail had cracked and was sucking air. Replaced ALL the rubber hoses and no more problems.
On a side note, I would recommend using the clear filter if you are having fuel delvery issues. Then you can see if fuel is flowing to the carb. It has taken a lot of the guess work out of my fuel problems. Only a couple bucks at the parts store.
Marty
On a side note, I would recommend using the clear filter if you are having fuel delvery issues. Then you can see if fuel is flowing to the carb. It has taken a lot of the guess work out of my fuel problems. Only a couple bucks at the parts store.
Marty
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Junior User
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Thanks for the idea's I hopefully will be able to give a few of them a try tonight.
John
PS I'll let you know what I find out.
John
PS I'll let you know what I find out.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Well today I took a look at my baby. Following th advice posted here I first checked the carb. Manually hitting the gas on the carb did not shoot any gas in. But I wasn't surprised, considering it wouldn't start in the first place. So then I started checking fuel lines. The line from the pump through the filter and to the carb looked good. Then I saw it, more felt it than saw it lol. The rubber hose from the steel line to the fuel pump is SHOT!!!!! Like wow I am surprised it lasted this long. So tommorrow I will get some new hose and replace all of them plus the filter. Hose is cheap and then I know its been replaced. Thanks guys I appreciate it.
John
John
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Oh one more question
How much horsepower and torque do you think this thing has:
78' 400
Edelbrock performer carb. 650 cfm
Edelbrock Performer intake
MSD 6A Ignition Box
MSD PRo Billet Dist.
MSD Coil
Dunno on the cam. assume just a standard RV cam.
How much horsepower and torque do you think this thing has:
78' 400
Edelbrock performer carb. 650 cfm
Edelbrock Performer intake
MSD 6A Ignition Box
MSD PRo Billet Dist.
MSD Coil
Dunno on the cam. assume just a standard RV cam.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Well to start with: the stock 78 400 put out 160 HP and a couple hundred lbs of torque.
There is an article around here that does the math on what you have done to improve performance.
What grade fuel are you burning ?
There is an article around here that does the math on what you have done to improve performance.
What grade fuel are you burning ?
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Junior User
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Sigh, I am back but not for the reason I wanted. I replaced the said above rubber lines for the fuel. Still to no avail. I will take the line off the carb and turn it over to see if I am getting fuel or not. I'll let you guys know. I run regular unleaded 87 octane.
John
John
