Hey everyone, new to the forum but have been reading old posts for years!
I'm having issues starting my 74 f250 custom. It has sat for maybe 2 years. Went to start it and as usual it took a bit to get going. Died after about a minute of running and having to feather the throttle. Got it to fire again with starting fluid, then backfired out the carb with some flame. Removed air filter and didnt notice the choke was stuck wide open. Figured it was a fuel issue. Bowl had fuel, float wasn't stuck, and disconnecting fuel line at carb verified the fuel pump was working. Currently have the line between tank and pump disconnected and fresh fuel being sucked from a can. Adjusted choke to closed position, and she fired up and ran at a very low idle. Died again. Will only start and run on starting fluid. Soon as I open the throttle even the tiniest amount it dies out. Open the choke a tiny amount and it dies out. Also I did see fuel squirt when I pushed the accelerator pump. Any and all help would be extremely helpful!

 

Sounds like the carb needs a rebuild. When they sit around gaskets get dry, fuel deposits form.

 

Thanks Mark. It definitely needs a rebuild, but do you think that would cause it to not run at all? I was starting to wonder about the spark side of it. Now I'm not positive, but it seemed like when I tested the plug had a light yellow/orange color. It may have also only sparked at the end when turning the key. I'll double check that again today if the rain let's up.

 

May need new fuel filter, dirt or rust in carb from fuel tank, and as Mark a. posted , a good clean and rebuild.

 

Make yourself a Primer-Gas container with nozzle and a piece of fuel hose for a string trimmer.
Fill the carb float bowl full of fuel and restart. See if the engine will then idle or run partial throttle.

I don't like to use starting fluid, and instead use Berryman's Carb Cleaner in spray can.

I had a similar issue with my '77 F350 with 300-six engine. It was a No-Start, but would run with primer gas for a sec.
Come to find out, the fuel hose had a split where it connects to the inlet side of the fuel pump.
I trimmed the hose back 3/4" and pushed it back on and tightened the clamp. PRESTO

You have spark if your engine starts on starting fluid.

 

if you can only get it to run with the choke closed and it dies if you try to open it at all, it's obviously super lean. I'd start with chasing all the circuits with carb cleaner or brake clean (something that's mostly acetone) and if that doesn't do it, i'd start looking for vacuum leaks. with the same can of carb cleaner or brake cleaner spraying around the base of the carb and the intake manifold.