Any Shade Tree Mechanics Out There?

[branch37]

I have a '67 F100 pickup with a 351W V8.  The pickup has been sitting unused, in the open for nearly 10 years.  The interior is a wreck and needs a complete re working.  The paint job is also pretty much gone, but the body, frame, and engine are all in decent condition.  So far I have replaced the carburetor, breather, fuel pump and filter, shocks (front and rear), front wheel bearings, and the engine oil and filter.  Now to my problem.

I have little to no experience adjusting carburetors.  I have swapped them out and rebuilt them before, but they have always ran smooth afterwards.  This engine runs great at idle, but will not accelerate once in gear.  It is a 3 speed automatic BTW.  It also wont shift gears on its own but we will get to that later.  The only way I know how to describe it is that it seems like it isnt getting fuel.  On flat ground, it will move fine at idle speed, but once i accelerate it sputters and will die unless i take my foot off the gas.  Any advice?   

[KCDitto]

It could be a lot of things...

But start here...

 

[KCDitto]

Unless you got an Edelbrock

[Tec]

Sitting for that long I would be concerned about gunk a.k.a. varnish in the tank and lines. 

[The Fugitive]

Can you run up the RPMs when in neutral? Shifting and such could be vacume issues as well as accelerating in gear. 

[Shuffler]

Could be several things. I would start checking vacuum lines. They are probably dry rotted and cracked. The one leading to the transmission would also cause it to not shift up.

If you find any dried and cracked then replace them all. If that is the problem you will find that the idle will have to be adjusted up after repair.

What you describe sounds just like this scenario as it will run when idle but when you start dumping fuel into it the fuel air ratio is too far off.

[branch37]

Can you run up the RPMs when in neutral? Shifting and such could be vacume issues as well as accelerating in gear. 

I can but i still get a little sputter when accelerating gradually.  If i floor it it runs up fine. 

Could be several things. I would start checking vacuum lines. They are probably dry rotted and cracked. The one leading to the transmission would also cause it to not shift up.

If you find any dried and cracked then replace them all. If that is the problem you will find that the idle will have to be adjusted up after repair.

What you describe sounds just like this scenario as it will run when idle but when you start dumping fuel into it the fuel air ratio is too far off.

I have not checked the vacuum lines going to the transmission, but the one going to the carb and the big one coming out of the head is fine.  I know the gears do work because i can start in first then shift manually into second and it will work, it just wont shift up into third.  If i then shift back into drive and slow down it does downshift like it should. 

[SFRT - Frenchy]

What is your timing set at? How does the vaccum guage acts. Start with the basic, you are shooting in the dark right now my friend.

[Randy1]

In Park when you give a quick jab to the gas pedal does it stall?

Second, is the 351 a motor replacement?  The 351w was not an option that year if I remember right.

[8thJinx]

Could be a blockage or a nest in the exhaust pipe, also.  A blocked exhaust pipe will act like a governor, restricting air flow below a certain volume.  I had a catalytic converter break apart in the wife's car, and it had the same symptoms as yours.  Purred like a kitten at idle, but I couldn't get it above 2000 rpm.  On the road, it had trouble getting into 2nd gear.

[branch37]

In Park when you give a quick jab to the gas pedal does it stall?

Second, is the 351 a motor replacement?  The 351w was not an option that year if I remember right.

yes.  If I go all the way to the floor it runs up fine, but if i jab it it will stall.

Yes it is.  My dad put the motor in it sometime in the late 70s or 80s.  You can go about 20 miles on a tank of gas.

[Hajo]

There could be so many things wrong it would be a waste of time to isolate on a bulletin board.


Could be as simple as choke that is stuck, to a leaking Gasket on the carburetor. Timing, and everything that has been listed.  Make a list and work them one at a time.

Else you will go crazy with a scattershot attempt to fix it.  Eliminate the problems one at a time the best way to isolate it and only spend on parts you definitely need.


Otherwise you may purchase parts that aren't needed.

[morfiend]

Yup listen to Hajo!

 I would get the motor running first,then deal with the tranny after. Been sitting long,likely needs new fluid and filter for trans anyways.

 Something silly as the PCV valve could be plugged but not being able to be there it's all just guess work and as Hajo said that could lead to you getting things you just didnt need!



   

[branch37]

There could be so many things wrong it would be a waste of time to isolate on a bulletin board.


Could be as simple as choke that is stuck, to a leaking Gasket on the carburetor. Timing, and everything that has been listed.  Make a list and work them one at a time.

Else you will go crazy with a scattershot attempt to fix it.  Eliminate the problems one at a time the best way to isolate it and only spend on parts you definitely need.


Otherwise you may purchase parts that aren't needed.

As far as these things go the choke is working properly, gaskets on the carb are all brand new and not leaking, from what I can tell the timing is good.  I'm starting to think it's just the carb needing adjusting.  I fiddled around with the idle screws a little this morning and it seems to be running better.  Still not where I want it but it is better.  I can now drive down the street and back without it dying, but i'm still stuck in first gear. 

[Shuffler]

yes.  If I go all the way to the floor it runs up fine, but if i jab it it will stall.

It could even be a bad accelerator pump on the new carb. It should spritz some gas into the Venturi when you quickly press the pedal.

Some many things it could be.