Hey guys,

Truck starts up after a few tries but wont idle I have to press the throttle or it will stall. It was running fine up until yesterday after I took it on a long drive and it stumbled to a stop like it was out of gas. I figured it was just empty because when I put some gas in it I was able to make it home (the gauge is broken). The tank is now full but the problem is still at large. It idled ok in park when cold but still died in drive. Now thats its warm it doesnt idle in either. Thinking of replacing the carburetor and distributor because I planned on it anyways but I wanted to see what you all think first. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Thanks all

 

It could be fuel starvation. First I'd check the fuel filter. It ought to be between the fuel pump and carburetor. I've seen people move them around. Before you do anything though, I would unhook the fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump. Run a hose from a gas can to the fuel pump. See if that makes any difference. If it runs better, you may have a pin hole in the fuel supply line. This can suck a little bit of air but as it gets bigger, you get a foam of fuel inside the line. This gives you a starvation issue with your fuel supply. Check this first. If it's the problem, you've solved it. If it isn't, it's a major issue you DON'T have.

 

Could be the fuel pump on it's way out also. When was the last time it had a tune up(cap rotor wires plugs)?

 

Fuel filter is full and there is a regular squirt inside the carburetor when I turn the throttle by hand. Maybe idle circuit? I will try using an external tank though.

 

I just replaced the fuel pump recently but havent touched the distributor. Could be almost 50 years old for all I know. Is it best to just buy a new distributor or go with the parts you mentioned?

 

You've got electronic ignition so you don't have to change points and condenser. It might not be a bad idea to replace the cap, rotor and maybe plugs and plug wires. That's just plain basic maintenance. There was no ethanol used in fuel back when your truck was built. That's why I mentioned the fuel line. Fuel pumps can also get eaten up inside. If it's the original or an older pump, the diaphragm might be leaking. You might be getting fuel, just not enough pressure to keep it going. Also, I'd replace the filter and cut the old one open and see if there is any rust inside it. Your truck was built about the time plastic tanks were coming into use. If it's metal, you might have rust in it. A simple solution for that is a could of large ceramic magnets on the bottom near where the fuel hits the floor of the tank when you fill it.

How many miles on the engine? I don't think I've seen how many on it. I'd also slap a vacuum gauge on it and see what you're pulling at idle. It should be around 17-20 inches of vacuum at idle. A vacuum gauge can tell you a lot about the inside of the engine without pulling it apart. For instance, if you have around 80.000 to 90,000 miles on the engine, your timing chain might be worn but still good.. You have a Nixon speedometer so it will only read to 99,999 miles. If it's flipped, you might have jumped a tooth on your timing chain.

 

Hey ol grouch thanks for your help but I should have just kept it simple stupid to begin with. All I did was pop off the fuel filter and cleaned it out and its back to running like a dream lol. Definitely gonna clean out the fuel system and maintenance the distributor but thankfully theres no major issue.

 

Do you have a metal or plastic fuel tank? If you have a metal tank, rust may have plugged your fuel filter. Some large magnets will catch the metal and it will stop the rust from getting into the fuel system. Your fuel gauge float is probably rusted due to age. If you ever drop the tank to replace it, you'll see little flower like piles of rust flakes.

On your fuel gauge, is it always on full or empty? If it's always full, you have a short in the power wire to the sending unit. If it's always empty, you either have a bad ground or the wire coil on the float itself is broken or rusted.

 

I have a plastic fuel tank and I will check the gauge