Has this ever happened to you ?

[Beach66Bum]

First time ever for a glitch. Truck is a 1983 F250 2 wheel drive with a 351W 2 barrel carb. Truck has been serviced top to bottom including fluids. My problem is that after I filled up at the gas station, it suddenly died. Coasted to the shoulder and tried to re-start, but got nothing.Finally got it started about 3/4 of an hour later. No problems what-so-ever now. Was this a case of vapor lock, never had this happen before. Thoughts...

 

[Alvin in AZ]

Not with my '75 F150 but used to with the "old junk heap" all the time.
'67 Bug! Turned out to be the ignition switch in that case.
Bump the key with my knee or the road could do it with just the keys
hanging from it. Got worse and worse 'til finally I could make it happen
on purpose, fixed it the next day.

Did it just shut off or kinda sputter and act up like it was running out
of gas or what?

How's it running since then?
Perfect?
Got an analog volt/ohmmeter?

My Dura-Spark ("System-One") in my '75 died with different symptoms
than the later Dura Spark systems display.

Alvin in AZ

 

[BuzzGun79]

sounds like the ignition module may be starting to go south.they give no warning of a failure & usually you will have to wait till the module cools before the vehicle will restart. a magnetic pickup in the distributor going bad will also show similar results.these items are difficult to trouble shoot cause if the vehicle is running they show no fault.if the module is an older unit i just replace it.if the magnetic pickup has more than 20,000k on it replace it.grant it ive gotten more life out of a magnetic pickup {100,000k}but it is recommended to be changed after 12,000k.because the module gives no warning of failure,i usually carried a spare in the vehicle.in my experiences ive had it go at 20,000k up to 100,000k.thats one reason why i went to an H.E.I. setup on my 79 F250.better reliability,less wires,less headaches than the Duraspark system.

 

[Fellro]

Being right after fill up, it is also possible there was a bit of water in the gas. Otherwise, it is possible to be the module, but it will show up more than just after a fill. For no apparent reason, it will shut off, then after a bit, you can fire it up and go. Had a 70 Mustang do that to me, would be cruising along, it would die, then wait about 5-10 minutes, fire up and take off.

 

[Beach66Bum]

Never any previous problem. Runs really strong with lots of power. Just seemed to sputter and stall, like running out of gas. I will check into the ignition since that is the last of the original parts. Thanks

 

[BuzzGun79]

"Being right after fill up, it is also possible there was a bit of water in the gas."


very true Fellro..glad you thought of that. one time a volks wagon came to our station filled up & made it 1 mile down the road & quit turned out to be water in the gas.we had to drain the system all out & refill with good.several days later Ashland was out digging up the tanks for replacement.

 

[Beach66Bum]

That's quite interesting. Haven't had a issue driving today. Seems to have gone away, but for peace of mind I will carry a few spare ignition parts. Don't want to be stranded at night now that winter is coming. Thanks guys.

 

[BuzzGun79]

interesting amkatt,how was the weather the day you filled up? cool,damp,dry? what? reason i ask, is now that we are in transitional weather & its been petty wet & cool here in the NE,there is a lot of moisture in the air.if the ignition box is getting weak. these kind of conditions also could have an effect on it,more so than when it is warm & dry..cold wet weather will bring out mechanical weakness of a vehicle.especially in the ignitions electrical system conponents.moister & condensation forms. i would monitor the situation & see if it does it again.

 

[Beach66Bum]

Hi BuzzGun79, it was a dry fall day, the sun was out. After the fill up I merged onto the highway and gave it the "old right foot". (I know that the 351W gets terrible mileage, but WTH it's fun!!) Was up to about 70 mph when it started to cut out. Luckily I was able to get off the highway on an exit. Did a road side check and all looked fine.No fuss issues, carb was getting gas,has a new carb,cap and rotor, wires... After cranking it for a while (new battery and starter) the engine finally started. Drove off and haven't had an issue since. No missing,hesitation,etc. Wet weather in the next few days, I'll see if that has an effect. At least OldOrange250 has been cheap to repair

 

[BuzzGun79]

hmmm rules out my moisture theory, if you have access to a fuel pressure gauge install it in the line where you can read it.all Ford v-8 motors{with mechanical fuel pumps} should have between 6-8 psi anything below 6 is an indication of trouble & usually lies in the fuel pump.yep thats one of the reason's i like these old rigs affordable & inexpensive to repair.i have managed to put my 79 F250 together on a very affordable budget,with all new or rebuilt parts.i am hoping by doing this it will give me good reliability....it Better..lol Bob

 

[5.0Flareside]

new mechanical fuel pumps aint but bout 20 bucks...

 

[Fellro]

Since it runs fine after the fact, I would likely rule out fuel pump, because they generally work or they don't, they don't self heal... Either got a bunch of water run through it, or the ds box is starting to play games.

 

[BuzzGun79]

i know Roger...just trying to cover the basics.something i would check if it was mine.this type of issue is difficult to call,if there is an issue.it might be alright now

 

[Fellro]

Just pointing out that mechanicals are a do or die issue. They can get weak, but the issue will remain. Now fuel filter, I have seen them self clear, only to plug again later. May not be right away, but they will reoccur.

 

[Beach66Bum]

Thanks again you guys ! When I bought the truck, I replaced almost everything under the hood. Carb, rotor and cap, gas filter, wires, spark plugs, starter, battery, battery cables, starter solenoid, all belts and hoses, all fluids, mechanical fuel pump, tires and brakes, the radio (bahahaha) and more... Truck runs like new, so I'm thinking it may have been the moisture in the tank. (I never fill the tank up to full.) Starts on first turn of key. Engine has really low miles since it was an old airport service truck, and being that, it was always maintained. I hope it's not the module starting to fail. Will check out a price for a spare. In the meantime, all is fine.
cheers, Roy