The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop truck woes, need help

Was on my way to the yard to bolt on a new box but the truck died about .3 miles away from the yard. I was travelling down a washboardy gravel road and it back fired twice, then quit. Keep in mind this is on a 250 inline 6. So i sounds like i'm outta gas, i wouldn't know because my dash bezel is off being painted. So i get to the yard and they give me some gas. Get back to the truck fire it up but it's running like a POS!!! Kept flooding itself out. Then i noticed the vacuum advance on the bottom of the distributor isn't moving the way it should be. It should move whenever the throttle is moved. This is moving whenever it wants and makes the truck sputter like a [censored]. Any suggestions on what to replace? cap? rotor? vacuum? I will be changing this motor in a month or so, so any cheap solutions are welcome. I may just end up towing the thing back. any suggestions
Thanks guys

I am probably so far off on this one that most on here will give me *ell but here goes. From what you are discribing I would venture to say that as you ran out of gas on that washboard road you got some crude bouncing around in your carb and and it has fouled you up considerably. The reason it is flooding is because your float is sticking open and running rough because your jets are fouled. This crude is still trying to pass through your system. I have heard of better ways to clean the gas tank-LOL No- I don't believe that there is anything wrong with your distributor or vacuum lines.

I was thinkin it might be that, this morning. I will have to tap on the side of the carb and see if it will come down. Thanks

What carburetor do you have on this engine?
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If it has a screw-in filter on the carb, take it out and clean it or replace it.

Dubie, I had the exact same situation... light taps on the side of the carb fixed it up. It's running nice now, hasn't done it again, but I haven't had time to pull the carb and take a look. So I'd say give a few light taps on the side of the carb and give her a try.

Lorne.

P.S. If you're down in Winnipeg some time, maybe we can meet for a beer.

Sounds like a classic stuck float to me but what do I know, my 36 was doing the same thing when I first got it running. I pulled the top plate off the carb and cleaned the needle and seat and, the float chamber. Check the float also it should be set at about 3/8" below the top plate I think. All these things are easy to do and only take a screwdriver and a couple of wrenches and their FREE!

On a 53 chevy I bought,someone had used the "fuel soluble)blue silicone sealer on the sending unit in the fuel tank.I figured it out where the sealer was coming from after I had taken the top of my carb off about 20 times to remove the sealer which was blocking the flow of fuel at the needle-valve.I bet I can still do the job in less than 20 minutes with my eyes closed.

OK, I tapped on the carb and the truck started, but now it's running like a POS. It sounds like it's running on 3 cylinders when idling, and as soon as you throttle it, it wants to stall. Not sure if my timing chain is buggered now, or if my vacuum advance is gone or if my jettings are all clogged. Any ideas??

Check your fuel filter and fuel flow. Sounds like you might have stirred the gunk in your fuel tank. Probably invaded your carb, too.

Also check and clean your sparkplugs. Probably fouled a couple flooding it out. Would really surprise me if it was something complicated. These engines can take a lot of abuse- Just ask mine-LOL

look for vacuum leaks/ loose carb. that's what always gave me fits on a 250 - hate'em. easiest thing is replace the engine w/ different kind!!

Bill

Like Squeeze said, check for vacuum leaks.When it back-fired, it may have blown off a vacuum line or even(rare chance) that it could have blown out the carb base-plate gasket.
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The fuel flow could still possibly be restricted wil crud.Does the system have an in-line filter?

When my truck was running like a POS, and not having a vacuum tester (yet!) I pulled off the gas line at the carb and had someone turn it over for me just to see the flow. You could try that and see if you have a restriction in your fuel flow.

Lorne

I thas a new inline fuel filter and a 3 year old gas tank, so I don't think that is the problem. But I will definately check the base gasket on the carb and clean the plugs off.
This engine will be swapped out for a built up 350 in about 1 year from now, so it has to at least run until then. Then it will probably be retired in the dump unless a Canadian member is interested in it.

OK, I finally had a couple minutes to check the truck over and I found the problem. The rear bolt on the distributor cab was shaken right out after hitting that washboard. The bolt was still there, so I tightend down both bolts, turned the key and she fired right up. Now I jusyt have to time it and I'm back in business. Thanks for all the help and tips guys.