problems with my new 77

[mclovn82]

i just bought a 77 ford f150 ranger xlt has a 460 with headers mild cam lifters and an edlebrock carb 650 drove it home and all had to put gas in it cause he ran it outta gas started it up the next day headed out and hit traffic and it kept dying on me but would start right back up been to three different people and they all say its the timing and they cant get it right it goes down the highway alright with a big lack of power but i have to feather the gas when i sit at a light or it will die after the last mechanic tried tuning it i was driving home and lost all power had my foot in the floor and it wouldnt gain anything but it still got me home some answers would be appreciated

 

[bucks77ford]

Before it ran out of gas, did it run well before?

 

[DNFXDLI]

Might be pinhole leaks in the rubber fuel line by the gas tank.

 

[mtflat]

Does it need a new filter - restricted flow of fuel can cause your condition. Or idle speed set too slow.

 

[loudandlifted]

i had a holly 750 on my 351 and the power serve valve went bad and it did the same thing. so i bought a speed demon 750. havent got it yet but im sure it will fix the problem

 

[mclovn82]

well i called the guy before i went to look at it and he had already gotten it started and ran it outta gas and had just put about a gallon or so in it when i got there so i dunno how it did before it ran outta gas im about to change the fuel filter cause i did notice some trash in it and im going to check the fuel pressure and all three guys fiddled with the carb and got nowhere but they all say that its the timing thats off on it but when they check it its all good and it not having any power really sucks i also need the passing gear linkage if anyone knows where to find it or at least a picture of it so i can fab one up

 

[mclovn82]

also the middle tank has been removed i dunno if that would affect the fuel lines though

 

[TexasRho83]

I had a 76 F250 with a 460 that had the same problem. Motor was just whipped, so I replaced it with a rebuilt hi-po 460 and guess what - problem went away! lol

 

[chuck101st]

I would say that it's either sucking alot of air, or it's starving for gas... Since you mentioned it check where they deleted the tank and make sure the fuel line is sealed good somehow..Then I would check for massive vaccume leaks...Then fuel pressure... Good luck!!!

 

[DNFXDLI]

That's why I mentioned the fuel line..I had the same problem with a 79 Bronco and that is what it turned out to be...air was being sucked into the fuel line and it behaved like a vapor lock.

 

[mclovn82]

yeah ill check all that stuff out i got some new fuel line gonna just replace it and put the other tank back in as soon as i get it cleaned i also have a new fuel filter to put in it and some sea foam one mechanic did say it seemed like the fuel pump was surging from what he could see through the filter and that it sounded like it was gasping for air but im kinda in a bind cause my wife had to go have surgery the day after i got the truck so i havent really had time to play with it

 

[dakonthemountain]

Best wishes on your wife's recovery!
Dak

 

[mclovn82]

they took her gallbladder nothing serious i think she is in less pain then she was before and thanks

 

[mclovn82]

ok just to let everyone know i disconnected the vaccum advance on the distributer and plugged up the line and now everything runs fine i also replaced the fuel filter and checked the fuel lines they all seem to be new lines

 

[mtflat]

Glad its got power now, but you need that vac advance. Good chance the diaphragm in the vac advance is shot. New ones are usually inexpensive.

Glad to hear your wife is doing better.

 

[mclovn82]

well i just took it down the road to the store then on the way back after the truck was good and warmed up it started to spit and sputter again when i tried to give it gas i had to let it idle home so i advanced the timing a bit and ill try it again tomorrow

 

[mclovn82]

ok question on my vacuum lines my vac advance it going to the intake manifold where there is a port where i can connect three lines one is going to the vac advance and the other two just go back into each other then on my carb there are 3 on the front the center one is capped off and the side ones just goes from one to the other is this how its supposed to be?

 

[Mil1ion]

maybe the diaphragm in the vacuum advance is seized or torn ?

fuel line should be steel not rubber.

rubber line when it gets old can leak in air

the VCV ( heat actuated switch) allows for heated vacuum to be directed to the distributor V/A

 

[mclovn82]

well i got it figured out they had the vacuum advance hooked up to the wrong port so i have it straightened out thanks for the help till next time