i have a 1979 ford f-100 stepside with a 300 six,the truck was givin to me by a friend,it runs great but i have to pour gas in the carb to get it to start, seems like the carb is losing its prime when it sets.any suggestions where to start? it doesnt idle either, always dies. i know a little about mechanics,built my first car from local junk yards back in the 70's,1968 dodge coronet 440. lost a lot of knoeledge since then

 

I would try and rebuild the carb. Buy a gallon of cleaner to soak it in and a kit to rebuild it. Make sure even the tiniest passage is clean and open and follow the directions completely.