just bought a 79 f150
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Joined: Mar 2013
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just bought a 79 f150
So I recently purchased a 79 f150 regular cab short bed and got the truck running. The truck wasn't getting any fuel through the carb and so it was replaced with a brand new holley 600 with electric choke. Truck runs now I set the idle to what seems right seeing as how there is no tach and now the idle isn't consistent. When its cold and the choke is on it purrs like a kitten but once warm it slows down and speeds up to where I have it. I'm pretty sure it needs a tuneup, when I downshift slowing down it pops and sputters. I haven't messed with any of the ignition components, should I start there or is it possibly a carb tuning issue? There are a few exhaust leaks and it does have a 1 inch carb spacer I removed and didn't change the gaskets in could it be a vacuum leak? I'm sorry if these seem like stupid questions but I don't have much experience with carbuerated engines but I'm excited to learn thank you in advance to all who read this what I am sure is an annoyingly long post
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 898
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From: Chillicothe, IA
Well, my understanding is that Holleys are pretty well tuned out of the box. So I don't believe i would mess with it any more. One way to check for vacuum leaks is to spray area around carb with carb cleaner. If it revs up or smooths out, you have a vacuum leak. A tune up is fairly inexpensive, but you should at least pull the plugs and check them, pull the cap and look for heavy buildup or burning of the contact points of both the cap and rotor. Also, you don't mention a fuel filter being replaced, that is a must. A vacuum gauge is needed, if you are buying one, buy a dual use one that will do fuel pressure also.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Portland, OR
Since you just got this truck, if you do end up changing plugs out or at least inspecting them, I'd strongly recommend doing a compression test. It's just nice to know that your engine is in good health (or possibly not!). One bad cylinder can make it run just crappy enough to the point where you're certain that you're just dealing with a "tune up" issue.
Good luck, hope she purrs like a kitten (and soon!). BTW, when I picked up my '78, I was in a similar situation (running crappy) and by checking the compression I found out that one plug wire was barely on. Sure was an easy fix to gain a lot of improvement (and I found out the basic health was good).
BB
Good luck, hope she purrs like a kitten (and soon!). BTW, when I picked up my '78, I was in a similar situation (running crappy) and by checking the compression I found out that one plug wire was barely on. Sure was an easy fix to gain a lot of improvement (and I found out the basic health was good).
BB
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Well some more interesting news is that I found out its definitely not a 351w turns out it's a 460 haha no wonder it's got so much ***! The compression test is certainly a good idea but it doesn't smoke or burn oil or anything seems like I did pretty well considering I only paid 500 bucks for it lol already lifted motor swapped has a c6 in it I can't go wrong plus whoever built it wanted it to be a mud truck and in 4wd all 4 tires will dig trenches this thing is awesome!!!!!
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