Jaydog

Thanks everyone! By now, I'm getting really good at the "Ford two-step." Two steps forward, one back. Drove the truck to the gas station around the block, noticed a bit of a burning smell when I got home. It's about a 5 minute drive. Couple of hours later I drove it 10 minutes away to a self-serve car wash. Got it as clean and shiny as it was going to get, and by the time I got home, the passenger front disc brake was smoking. Halfway home I could smell the burning brake smell. I cooled it down with a fan but didn't have time to take it off. There's plenty of fluid and the other brakes work just fine. I believe it's probably a frozen caliper or maybe the rotor is warped. I'll be taking the wheel off sometime this week. I'm glad the truck is up and running, now I just want it to be driveable!

It's alive! My brother-in-law and I got the new carb on it yesterday, and after a squirt of starter fluid, it started right up! I turned it off and then started it again about three more times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Each time it started up quickly and the engine purrs! I have no idea how old the spark plugs are but I wanted to make sure it was running before I changed them. Woo hoo!

Well, finally some progress to report! Got the carb off, pretty easy actually. :-X0A6 I had a mechanic buddy over for adult supervision. I took pics of it every step of the way. I ordered a reman carb for $150 so I can get that sucker on. I checked with a couple of shops and with hourly rates of $80-$95, it would cost more to rebuild my current carb than get a reman one. My mechanic buddy agreed that the culprit for it not running is probably the carb. We did the "spray starter fluid in it" and it ran as long as there was spray but died after that. In the meantime, I'm going to get a new set of plugs and wires and teach my son how to change both. Every challenge is a teaching opportunity!

My goal over this weekend or next is to pull the carb. I'm going to see if my shop will rebuild it for me. Much cheaper than a new one, since it has the stupid computer stuff.

So, what are the odds that this is just a completely gummed up carb? I'm willing to swap it out for a new one, even keeping the feedback crap on it. I just want it to run. Three years worth of sitting wouldn't have screwed up the computer would it? It does run when you pour gas down the carb or are shooting starter fluid directly into it. I'm hoping it just needs a new carb. My plan is to have my local shop replace the rear gas tank and carb at the same time.

I'll hit it again...I mean...tap it again a few times. I did that already and then sprayed a half a can of carb cleaner in every port and orifice I could find. I'm hoping just swapping out the carb will fix this. I don't think I'm ready to convert this to the older style ignition thingy. Hell, I'm still using pliers to get it to crank!

Checked last night, no fuel going into carb. No gas squirting in. And yes, it does have the dreaded EEC-II system. I don't think I'm up for swapping out the carb and ignition system. Could all of this have crapped out after three years of sitting? My extremely layman's brain is wanting it to be just a gummed up carb that I can swap out.

Yep, it was the steering wheel lock/shift actuator. I don't think I'm going to tackle that right now. My attention is turned towards the carb. The fuel pump works, it's pulling clean gas from a gas can, the filter is new, but it won't start. I think I'm going to swap out the carb. BUT, now I'm learning that my truck is blessed with the "feedback" carb. Any suggestions on this issue?

So, as I used say when I was DJ'ing "The hits just keep on coming!" I got the carb cleaned out, everything set to try and see if the truck would run...I put the key in the ignition, turned it...and it decided to turn all the way too easily, without starting the truck. Hmmm. Now the ignition switch turns freely without or with the key, and doesn't crank the engine. Grrrr. I know this has to be a common issue but....grrr. Thoughts, oh wonderful group?

Welcome!

Welcome!

Yep, to the carb, not in. I'll do a "down the carb" peek today. It sure cranked like an engine not getting any gas. It ran fine on what I poured into the carb but then died after that. Thanks!

Update! Fuel pump will pull from a gas can, fuel filter in front of the carb is clear of debris. Pulled off the fuel line from the pump to the carb, and cleaned it out and observed gas being pumped during cranking, so I know fuel is getting to the carb, but it won't start. I poured gas straight down the carb several times and it started right up and ran and then it would die. Looks to my novice eyes that the carb isn't doing it's thing. Thoughts?

Welcome!

Ahh. I don't think the Goddard Eisenhower band marches there. May be a Class/school size thing.