carb trouble
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Junior User
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carb trouble
When I go to start my 82 ford f-250 it takes around 15 pumps to get it to start, if I pump the gas twice then hold it wide open it will just turn over and net even try to turn fire. It will always start it just takes some time also when I get it started it idles rough and wont run to good with the gas open just alittle, it is the origional Motorcraft carb. Does it sound like I should just get a new carb or would a good cleaning and a rebuild fix it? Thanks
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
You don't say what engine or carb you have, but... With the engine not running and the choke
open, look straight down into the carb while you open the throttle with your hand. If it's a 2- or
4-barrel carb, you should see two strong streams of fuel being injected into the carb (one for a
1-barrel).
Have you looked at the condition of your basic ignition components? Plugs/wires/cap/rotor?
open, look straight down into the carb while you open the throttle with your hand. If it's a 2- or
4-barrel carb, you should see two strong streams of fuel being injected into the carb (one for a
1-barrel).
Have you looked at the condition of your basic ignition components? Plugs/wires/cap/rotor?
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Junior User
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carb
The carb is a origional Motorcraft 2-barrel carb in a 302 motor and I just tuned it up, It did sit for some time before I got it and I never cleaned it, If it was dirty would it affect starting it?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Mexia, TX
How did the truck run before you put this carb on it?
On my truck, the carb was out of adjustment and had fuel-fouled the plugs, which made it run really choppy like yours. I removed and sprayed down the firing end of the plugs with GumOut Carb Cleaner (B12 Chemtool will work too, it's pretty much the same stuff) and cleaned all the carbon and junk off with a small wire brush (looks like a big tooth brush). Then I gapped them to spec and put them back in.
It ran PERFECT til the carb fuel fouled them out again.
I'd make sure it's getting enough fuel and replace the fuel filter (cheap insurance). Also make sure your timing's good. You might want to go ahead and rebuild the carb though, since it's cheap...here in Texas, my local O'Reillys only charges $12.99 for a rebuild kit for these carbs.
On my truck, the carb was out of adjustment and had fuel-fouled the plugs, which made it run really choppy like yours. I removed and sprayed down the firing end of the plugs with GumOut Carb Cleaner (B12 Chemtool will work too, it's pretty much the same stuff) and cleaned all the carbon and junk off with a small wire brush (looks like a big tooth brush). Then I gapped them to spec and put them back in.
It ran PERFECT til the carb fuel fouled them out again.
I'd make sure it's getting enough fuel and replace the fuel filter (cheap insurance). Also make sure your timing's good. You might want to go ahead and rebuild the carb though, since it's cheap...here in Texas, my local O'Reillys only charges $12.99 for a rebuild kit for these carbs.
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carb
The carb on it is the origional carb so there has never been a different carb on it, at highway speeds it will run like a champ but idling and starting off with the gas just barely open it will cut out and run really bad, I have the tried to adjust the carb but I dont have the exact number of turns to set it so if you know or have any paperwork on adjusting it that would be a big help. Also how would I know if the plugs are fouled. Thanks
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
You can look that up on Holley's site, it can be done with a hand-held tachometer.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Mexia, TX
They'll be dark black, dry and sooty. When I cleaned mine, I noticed a major improvement in the idle in park and at idle in gear, but the carb quickly fouled them out again.
Get some spare spark plugs before you get to cleaning your current ones. On the 302, the plugs are at an angle in the heads, and they're a pain in the rear to remove sometimes, especially if they've been in there for a while. I broke three when I was cleaning mine. Might consider picking up some anti-seize compound to save yourself some trouble in the future.
And you could try spraying a little carb cleaner down the carb with the engine running to clean it out. Just be prepared to jump back if it decides to backfire! :P
BTW I'm dealing with some carb issues myself right now, using a carb that's sat for about 3-4 years. I've been told that it'll take a bit for everything to get working as it's supposed to again, since over time the inside parts have gotten stiff and they need some time to get back to normal. So I feel your pain....
Get some spare spark plugs before you get to cleaning your current ones. On the 302, the plugs are at an angle in the heads, and they're a pain in the rear to remove sometimes, especially if they've been in there for a while. I broke three when I was cleaning mine. Might consider picking up some anti-seize compound to save yourself some trouble in the future.
And you could try spraying a little carb cleaner down the carb with the engine running to clean it out. Just be prepared to jump back if it decides to backfire! :P
BTW I'm dealing with some carb issues myself right now, using a carb that's sat for about 3-4 years. I've been told that it'll take a bit for everything to get working as it's supposed to again, since over time the inside parts have gotten stiff and they need some time to get back to normal. So I feel your pain....
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 207
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From: Oklahoma
i have an 85 F150 with a 302 2bbl. carb that sounded a lot like you're problem. I removed, cleaned & overhauled the carb & all my problems went away, now it idles like a new engine & no more jerking and hesitating on takeoff.
just my input
okiepc1
just my input
okiepc1
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