I just got this truck, it's a 71, had a 3 on the tree, maybe 240. At some point it got a NP465 and I think a 300. It's running really rich. I think the carb is a 1946, but I'm not familiar with anything on these engines, and this was a ranch truck I got that has really shakey "repairs" on it. Baling wire throttle linkage, etc. So, anyway,
1. There's a solenoid looking device near the hot air choke, it's not connected.
2. There's a dangling vac line from the manifold over to the distributor. There looks like there could have been a vac cannister on the distributor where the vac line dangles, but there's not.
3. I will run the engine later today and see if the choke opens. I bet not, it runs really rich even when warm (black smoke), but I guess it could be flooding, too.
4. Idles rough.

I know this is pretty vague, but I"d appreciate your help steering me in the right direction. Thanks.

 

If you can post some pictures that might help on what carb you have and distributor and that vacuum line.
If the choke is not opening that would make it run rich for sure..
Also dont know about this solenoid? Picture wanted

If you do have a NP435 and 300 I dont think it would be the carb you listed but the Carter YF IIRC and why the picture.
Dave ----

 

Here's the carb, solenoid

 

Don't know model of distributor. Looks like it's missing a vac advance cannister?

 

Here's the truck. It is rough everywhere.

 

The truck dont look half bad. Mine was a LOT WORST that that and you got good tires & wheel too!
That carb looks like the Carter used on the later trucks like this one

As you can see it has "made by Carter for" and I think I see that on yours to.
That solenoid might have been for smog or AC to kick the idle speed up and on. If yours is idling good with it not working you can remove it.
I dont have one on my 81 F100 and I have AC and dont have any problems with idle.

On the vacuum for the distributor it does look like someone has removed it and left the hole open where it was installed.
There are 2 ways you can go with this.
Leave it the way it is if running it maybe a little doggy with no vacuum advance timing.
Or you a replacement distributor that has vacuum advance.

Now this is where it can get a little tricky on replacement distribbutors.
Being a 71 the truck would have points that go out of adjustment and need replacing so why would you put that back in where there are better ones.
Factory around 73/74 went to electronic distributors and Ford did DSII for a long time. This takes a little rewiring and a IGN box that sits on the inner fender well.
Around 83/84 Ford went to a feed back system, computer adjusts timing and carb, and getting part for this is hard as is the wiring for the DSII system so there is a easier way to go.

Check Ebay for a HEI distributor drop in for a Ford 300 six. It has the coil and IGN module all built in and you just need to give it 12 volts.
You can use your power wire to the coil now to trigger a relay that will send a full 12 volts to the HEI distributor.
A new set of plug wires, open the gap on the plugs a little and you are good to go.
And the HEI has the vacuum canister so you have vacuum advance just hook the hose up.
HEI is the way I would go and never have to deal with points again.

BTW it that carb needs to be replaced also check out Ebay for a knock off Carter pre 83 one. I run one on my 81 nad have not had any issues with it.
Dave ----