Engine runs at idle, dies during while driving it

Tiny
THATDANGFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 1977 FORD F-150
  • 139,000 MILES
My engine runs at idle pretty clean. A little bit of a miss to it. But when ever I try and drive it, it will shut off and the whole truck will die.
Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 6:04 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
PAPAJOHNSLICE
  • MEMBER
  • 108 POSTS
There are a few things it could be, I would check your carb (make sure its getting enough fuel) then check your plugs and make sure they are getting enough spark, the easiest way to check is just take one out at a time, attach it to your wire, then ground the plug on the block of the engine, then have somebody else try to crank the engine and see if there is a decent blue spark, any other color of spark is week and wont work well enough, also, it might be time for a tune up, and some more information would be nice
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Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 8:05 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
I would be o/hauling the carby first along with a general tune up.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
THATDANGFORD
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The carb has been rebuilt, also has a new fuel pump, and fuel filter. I drove the truck about 52 miles before it started giving me this problem.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 9:49 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Well, if that is ok, just make sure that the float level is correct as this can cause these problems, then you will have to start troubleshooting the ignition system.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
THATDANGFORD
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  • 3 POSTS
I measured everything on the carb. And I did the ignition coil resistance test it came out fine. But I'm wondering if it's getting too hot.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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  • 31,938 POSTS
Coils do run hot and can break down if they over heat, you really need to see what the Kva is, a coil should never be to hot to touch.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
THATDANGFORD
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This is driving me nuts. Even the seasoned mechanic that's had been helping with this project is baffled.
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Thursday, April 19th, 2012 AT 12:59 PM

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