nagging idle problem
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
nagging idle problem
I just had a new 351 put in my truck last october, probably around this time, and I had a new carb put in shortly after, sometime in November. Now I have had Idling problems forever with it, and its starting to annoy me. In the cold, it never idles up, it idles like its ready to stall. When you drive it, it feels like its going to stall out at all times. The truck bucks hard after every shift, as if the truck had no idle to it at all while in between the shift. ANd sometimes it just plain stalls out while driving, which has almost gotten me into a few accidents (not cool). I remember the old carb in the morning, pump the gas a few times before you start it, and that sucker would idle up for you, tap the gas, and it would come right down. Boy I miss that.:-( . What can I be looking at as a problem or solution or anything. Sorry about the rant here guys, but it's kind of aggravating!
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Pocono Mountains, PA
nagging idle problem
Couple things to check first..
What make and model carb?
Was it new or just a rebuilt one?
What type of choke does it have on it?
Is the choke connected (especially if it's electric)?
Have you looked at the choke while someone else starts it?
Does the flap close down when you just tap the pedal before starting it?
Where's the choke setting set? (center of scale.. towards rich? towards Lean?)
Is the fast idle (screw on cam) setting correct?
Does the choke even close down before you fire it up?
Fire off some answers and we'll try and help ya...
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 HD Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - No Cat Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing Mags 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
What make and model carb?
Was it new or just a rebuilt one?
What type of choke does it have on it?
Is the choke connected (especially if it's electric)?
Have you looked at the choke while someone else starts it?
Does the flap close down when you just tap the pedal before starting it?
Where's the choke setting set? (center of scale.. towards rich? towards Lean?)
Is the fast idle (screw on cam) setting correct?
Does the choke even close down before you fire it up?
Fire off some answers and we'll try and help ya...
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 HD Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - No Cat Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing Mags 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
nagging idle problem
I know off the top of my head its a new carb, and it has an electric choke. I want to check some of the other things before I tell you though. My old mechanic who was a complete idiot used to fool around with it and adjust it a lot, so he says, so I'll have to check myself. But it is a new and electric choke.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Pocono Mountains, PA
nagging idle problem
Ok.. meantime here's another Q for you....
...Does it run ok once it's up to temp?
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing 767's 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
...Does it run ok once it's up to temp?
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing 767's 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
nagging idle problem
Once its up to temp it runs good. The problem is getting it up to temp. The other night, the first real cold night so far, it was outside for four hours, and I sat in my friends driveway for 15 minutes waiting for it to warm up and idle, it never did. The lights kept going dim, the truck felt like it was gonna stall. I'd press the gas to get it going, and it would immedietly go back down and feel like it was gonna stall. I finally gave up and tried to make the half mile trip to my house,and it stalled out while i was trying to make my turn.
Now, besides that while im thinking, sometimes it tends to run a little high once its warm, the truck will diesel when i shut it off. But that only happens once in a blue moon so, any suggestions? I'm assuming its a problem with the carb and not the timing.
Now, besides that while im thinking, sometimes it tends to run a little high once its warm, the truck will diesel when i shut it off. But that only happens once in a blue moon so, any suggestions? I'm assuming its a problem with the carb and not the timing.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Pocono Mountains, PA
nagging idle problem
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Oct-02 AT 09:21 AM (EST)]Hmm... Ok..
Couple more things to check..
Is there actually a thermostat in it (that works)? It's a 20 minute job to open the housing, clean the flanges and pop in a new one with gasket...
Also, it really seems to me that either the choke or the fast idle setting (or both) are either way off or just plain not hooked up ...
What make carb is it? I have a complete Holley manual in MS Word format I can upload to one of my servers for you to download if you need one...
If all else fails, a brand spanking new model 4160 Holley 4 barrel carb is only about 225 at your local speed shop. They come already setup and ready to go. NO adjustment needed.
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing 767's 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
Couple more things to check..
Is there actually a thermostat in it (that works)? It's a 20 minute job to open the housing, clean the flanges and pop in a new one with gasket...
Also, it really seems to me that either the choke or the fast idle setting (or both) are either way off or just plain not hooked up ...
What make carb is it? I have a complete Holley manual in MS Word format I can upload to one of my servers for you to download if you need one...
If all else fails, a brand spanking new model 4160 Holley 4 barrel carb is only about 225 at your local speed shop. They come already setup and ready to go. NO adjustment needed.
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing 767's 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
nagging idle problem
well, the motor like i said was replaced last year, but the guy who did it has been known to do some shoddy work and is out of business as we speak (thank God). I've tried learning some mechanics on my own to help myself out. The point you make about the thermostat may be something for me to check out. I'll check the choke and fast idle setting. I think the carb is a holley 2 barrell. If you could email me that Holley manual it would make my universe! And, 225 for a 4 barrell carb, brand new? Hmm, my birthdays coming next week?
Thanks a million for your help, you definetly cleared the jungle path for me a bit!
Thanks a million for your help, you definetly cleared the jungle path for me a bit! FTE Stories
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Pocono Mountains, PA
nagging idle problem
Glad I could help... I know how frustrating it can be sometimes when it SHOULD be fun twistin' a wrench!
Here ya go.. It's a little large to email so I put it on one of my servers..(I own a webhosting company and just play with my truck for fun)
http://xtreme-servers.com/Holley_Manual.zip
Good Luck!
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing 767's 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
Here ya go.. It's a little large to email so I put it on one of my servers..(I own a webhosting company and just play with my truck for fun)
http://xtreme-servers.com/Holley_Manual.zip
Good Luck!
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing 767's 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Pocono Mountains, PA
nagging idle problem
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Oct-02 AT 11:32 PM (EST)]Dunno why that link showed as broken like that .. lets try that again..
www.xtreme-servers.com/Holley_Manual.zip
*EDIT*.. ah...screw it..LOL.. I'll figure it out tomorrow..
Glad ya liked the manual...
Have a good one...
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing 767's 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!
www.xtreme-servers.com/Holley_Manual.zip
*EDIT*.. ah...screw it..LOL.. I'll figure it out tomorrow..
Glad ya liked the manual...
Have a good one...
80 F250 Ranger 4X4 cab on 87 Chassis --
1984 351W - Mallory Uni-Lite, MSD wires, Offy intake, 600 Holley, K&N filter, Shorty headers - Dual Exhaust with twin Flowmaster 50's, C-6 trans, American Racing 767's 33x12.5x16.5 sneakers--
Alpine stereo with 400W Jensen Amp and 2 x 300 Watt "boom boxes" behind seat - 2 x 180 watt Xplod's in the doors..
Still workin' on it!