i will admit that im not the smartest when it comes to engines but i am pretty sure that when a fireball shoots out of the carburetor that is a bad sign. I thought it was cool for a second but then relized what could happen. Well my mom is going to make me sell it and i love working on it and im trying hard to get it ready for some insane 4-wheelin so i would appreciate any advice or help. This is what happened. i bought the truck a few months ago and we new it had a carb problem but ran good enough. ever since then it has gone down hill. i was hoping not to mess with the engine but i have had to. We rebuilt the carb 2 months ago, new plugs, new wires, new cap and rotor, new fuel pump, new ignition module, new voltage regulator and a new coil, and last week a new starter. Since i only paid $700 for the car and about $600 for everything so far including paint and a front driveshaft im not to worried. We can get it to run every now and then but when it comes time to get it inspected something bad happens everytime. today it still has a rough start even after i shimed the starter but it started and drove great after we reved it a while. slowly it got better and didnt sound like it was going to die. Then later i started it and it turned over then turned off and agian and then again but this time it sounded like something either got sucked into or shot out of the carb and i heard a little pooff and then i see a giant fire ball surrounding the engine. Not good to me. i dont knonw if the carb all together is shot but i dont want to start it again without having the problem fixed. Hopefully i dont have to sell it and lose alot of money cause that would really suck right now. if anyone can help. i know i have posted alot of help but im a little new to the engine area and that has been the only problem with the truck. But thankyou to all those who have helped and i hope this wont be the last post due to me having to sell the 78 ford. Please help. thankyou.
joseph

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 26-Apr-01 AT 03:49 PM (EST)[/font][p]Usually when you get the infamous fireball out of the carb, it means your timing is way off. What's happening is that the intake walve is still open when the cylinder fires, and it's allowing the cumbusted gasses to escape back through the intake and out the carb.

Get your timing properly set, and I'll bet you're hard starting problems go away as well.

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg

 

Yeah I would check the timing and make sure the timing gears are also aligned correctly. Timing is probably advanced to far, you will need to retard it back to 10 degrees BTDC.


1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

LOL.....just read my other reply. I really need to learn how to spell (or type).

TrailDawg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/User_files/3aaa4bac6f539876.jpg
1993 F150 2WD
4.9L-Auto
Pro-Comp Stage-2 6" lift
Auburn Pro-Series Diff. w/4.30:1 gears
35x12.50x15 General Grabber MT's
http://www.geocities.com/ProjectTrailDawg