1973 Ford F-250 HELP

BARRYSATHER

MEMBER
1973 FORD F-250
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

I just purchased a 1973 Ford F250, that has been rebuilt. It has approximately 3,000 miles on the engine. Its a 360 2 bl carb. We had an extremely hot day today when picking the vehicle up. 95 degrees and humid; the truck was running smooth at all speeds until coming back from a 20 mile trip on the highway going 65mph the truck started to lurch or jerk. This continued on an off for a couple miles with the truck losing power and momentum until the engine would stop. I would put it in neutral and it would restart with applying gas, but continued this progressive slow down and repetitive engine killing until we could depart the highway and to a Ford dealer. We sat for about a half hour and I restarted the truck and drove around the parking lot with no noticeable effects. Is this a vapor lock; or somekind of fuel issue? Or could this be a transmission problem?
After a while, we adjusted the carburetor less lean and then drove it home about six miles with no problem?

7 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok some info first. Does this truck have points or electronic ignition? Does it have a cat? How do the fuel lines look between the tank and the fuel pump? Get back to me with as much as you can and we will go from there.

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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 AT 10:00 AM

BARRYSATHER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

This truck is a 1973, its pretty old school with points and dual exhaust (no Catalytic converter). The fuel lines look good. Like to offer a little more info; the former owner just filled the gas tank up, he never really kept the tank full? We disconnected the fuel line from the filter and removed the filter from the carb, then physically blew it out and replaced it when we stalled yesterday. It runs strong and smooth at all rpm's with the transmission disengaged and the short time we were driving it (20 miles) until we experienced the jerking and engine repeatedly killing up to that point. After sitting a half hour, I started it and drove it around the parking lot at low speed and experienced no hesitation or sense it was going to stall? Had someone follow me home another six miles and no problems. I'm totally guessing, but something heat related?

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Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 AT 11:24 AM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok when it does this check the coil. It may be breaking down when it is hot and not delivering spark at that time. Once it cools then it is working as it should. Let me know what you find.

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Thursday, June 25th, 2009 AT 8:58 AM

R0LL1NPCRAFT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I have the same problem. I had the carburetor replaced, but the dealer said there was a part that attaches somehow that Ford doesn't make anymore. Can you help me find it?

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Thursday, March 8th, 2012 AT 4:28 PM

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

What is the part? Also I don't believe the carb to be the problem. I was more thinking either condenser or coil sense it wants to stall when warm. Do you have a digital multi meter? If so then I can run you through a test to check the coil.