Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Stalling/Bogging down on acceleration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 17, 2007 | 09:21 AM
  #1  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Stalling/Bogging down on acceleration

Hey everyone,
I did some thorough searching and I also read the carburetor's owner's manual before posting.
I have a 1986 F250 Supercab Longbed with the 351W and the C6 transmission.
The carburetor is an Edelbrock 1406. When I'm driving at higher speeds (45+ mph) and I begin to climb a grade (especially a steep one), the 351 begins to cough and sputter. Applying more throttle makes the problem even worse. At some points it gets so bad that after I pull off the the side of the road the truck just dies. I'll pump the gas a few times, start the truck, and then she's good to go - until the next steep grade.
At slow speeds there's no trouble to speak of. I'll climb a steep grade under 3/4 throttle at slow speeds and have no issues - in fact, she pulls really strong!
I'm confused and have no idea what I'm doing here. Can someone help me out?
Thanks,
~oz
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2007 | 03:28 PM
  #2  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I was perusing Google and someone in another forum was having problem with their Toyota 22R motor, symptoms sounded a lot like mine. One of the suggestions was the fuel pump - could it be time for a new fuel pump on mine?

Also, would it be a good idea to install an electric fuel pump on my truck since she's carbureted?
 

Last edited by ozyran; Dec 17, 2007 at 03:34 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2007 | 05:44 PM
  #3  
Piffery1's Avatar
Piffery1
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
First, replace the fuel filter. If it's nearly clogged it won't flow enough fuel under load but may run fine in neutral or under very light load.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2007 | 08:31 PM
  #4  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Yup, just picked one up, I'll replace it and go from there.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2007 | 10:18 PM
  #5  
Holmesuser01's Avatar
Holmesuser01
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, NC
If the filter doesent do it, the float levels on the carb should be checked along with the fuel pump flow rate.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 09:34 AM
  #6  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I haven't run the truck out on the highway with the new filter element yet, but she seems to be running a bit better. I'm thinking I might drop the cash on another fuel pump anyways, I imagine the one installed on the truck now is getting a little tired.
I think it might also be time for a carburetor rebuild, too.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2007 | 09:43 AM
  #7  
fairfield86f150's Avatar
fairfield86f150
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
i had the same problem with my truck. check both float levels, and then check the accelerator pump circuit.....you might need to get a different size squirter, or a different profile for the pump cam.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 01:34 PM
  #8  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Update - truck still seems to be bogging down, I'm thinking now it's more along the lines of what ff86f150 said - squirter/pump cam profile.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 01:55 PM
  #9  
mward69's Avatar
mward69
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Don't know if it's the same as what I had, mine would spit and sputter under a load {going uphill} was fine on straights....I changed the plugs and wires...been running great since. My brother is a mech. he was saying usually thats a sign of a foul in the spark {spitting and sptter under load}
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 02:43 PM
  #10  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
No, I don't think that's what it is - although I haven't changed the wires yet.

Also, when the engine is still warming up, I can lay the hammer down and the 351 will roar - and I mean ROAR! However, once she's warmed up and I've been on the highway for a while, she acts like she's starved for fuel sometimes.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2007 | 07:43 PM
  #11  
Piffery1's Avatar
Piffery1
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
ozyran,
A few questions: 1. Has it done this since the Edlebrock was first installed? 2. Do you get any pinging under load? 3. When it runs really well while it's cold, is the choke still partially closed? 4. Is the distributor vacuum advance hooked up and working properly? 5. Does it idle well? If so, is the curb idle speed adjustment screw holding the throttle plates open a significant amount to obtain the proper idle? 6. Are the carburetor floats adjusted to produce the proper fuel level? Your carb manual should provide instructions on how to measure & adjust. 7. Are the secondary throttle plates opening under load when the vacuum drops?
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2007 | 06:00 PM
  #12  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
I'm gonna have to check that laundry list of questions on my truck; thank you, it gives me a definitive starting point. The previous owner jacked up the vacuum lines and capped lines like crazy, so only a few lines are even hooked up!

Stupid question:
My truck has an AIR pump but no catalyst. Is it emissions controlled or not?
(The emissions sticker says NON-CATALYST right on it)
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2007 | 06:43 PM
  #13  
Piffery1's Avatar
Piffery1
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
During this era trucks with GVWR over 8500 lbs. were exempt from using catalysts but still required some emissions equipment such as an air pump (some had two), retarded camshaft timing,
PCV valve, vacuum advance rate restrictor, EGR valve, throttle kicker, charcoal cannister(s), et.al. The actual number and types of emission items apparently depended on vehicle being built to Federal, California or Canadian standards as well as GVWR and which engine was installed.
 
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2007 | 07:44 PM
  #14  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Roger that. This will help me set up the Edelbrock carb the right way - I don't think the previous owner really had a clue what he was doing. It's almost like he just kept cutting hoses until he was down to the bare minimum that he could get away with. Sorting this all out is going to be a LOT of fun.

Thanks for all of your help, guys! I'll keep this updated as I go on - and hopefully anyone else who runs into a similar problem will be able to use this thread as a reference.
 
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2007 | 01:39 PM
  #15  
ozyran's Avatar
ozyran
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Well, I chased down some vacuum connections, and now the problem seems reversed: she's making good power while driving, but now she's idling rough.

I am at the end of my rope with this truck. If this goes on any longer, I'm going to - erm, I dunno. I'll do something with it though.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:14 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE