Engine dies in gear ?

[Dan-K]

I have a 71 C10 with a 350/350 combo . Engine is original with a quadrajet but runs O.K. The problem is is that I can start it and let it warm up for a couple of minutes and when I attempt to put it into drive or reverse it stalls . It will re-start right away but until it is really warmed up it does the same thing . Is it that the motor is so shot that it doesnt have enough poop to keep going or something else ?

[sick472]

Have you tried to turn the idle up some. My old 85 will do the same thing. Its got a pretty tired motor in it. I just turn the idle a bit, but not so much that it kicks hard into gear. I try to find the happy medium.

Other things that I have known to cause this kind of behavior is vacuum leaks and bad timing.

[geezer#99]

Lack of enough initial timing does that.
What’s your initial timing set at?

Or sometimes a cold intake does too.
Do you have headers?

Or poorly adjusted choke.
Does it work well?

[tdangle]

Welcome to the world of non computer controlled FI modern trucks. My guess is the choke is not working correctly. Get that fixed first before playing with the timing. When these trucks were built they specified anywhere between TDC to 4 degrees BTDC and they worked OK, didn't stall when cold.

[RustyPile]

What tdangle said ---- Probably need to adjust the fast idle screw.. This is done while the engine is cold and the choke is still engaged before the engine warms up..

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by tdangle

Welcome to the world of non computer controlled FI modern trucks. My guess is the choke is not working correctly. Get that fixed first before playing with the timing. When these trucks were built they specified anywhere between TDC to 4 degrees BTDC and they worked OK, didn't stall when cold.

That’s true but now 50 years later the heat riser is defunct and the exhaust crossover is plugged.
And then the choke doesn’t work like it should because the stove is cold, so we compensate by cranking up the rpm so it slams into gear.
So you clean it all out, make it like new or find a way to compensate the running condition.
Timing, jetting, heat to the intake all help.

[Dan-K]

Thanks for the responses/ideas . I have a new carb on the way and I hope it will be better with the new setup . I think the timing is good (HEI) not sure where it is set . I will play around with it and let you know how it goes .

[Boog]

A good rule of thumb I've always adhered to is get the timing correct 1st before making carb adjustments.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Boog

A good rule of thumb I've always adhered to is get the timing correct 1st before making carb adjustments.

Isn't the saying something like, "95% of carburetor problems are in the ignition"? Not saying it's the case here, it does look like the choke may be out of adjustment, since he says that the truck runs OK once warmed up.

[Boog]

Originally Posted by Dan-K

Thanks for the responses/ideas . I have a new carb on the way and I hope it will be better with the new setup . I think the timing is good (HEI) not sure where it is set . I will play around with it and let you know how it goes .

It's a good idea to check timing especially since he "thinks it's good, not sure". And it don't cost anything to check it and could save buying a carb, which he has already ordered.

[rockyrivermark]

Originally Posted by Dan-K

Thanks for the responses/ideas . I have a new carb on the way and I hope it will be better with the new setup . I think the timing is good (HEI) not sure where it is set . I will play around with it and let you know how it goes .

Eddy 1406 is a great carb choice. Runs great out of the box. May need to tweak choke adjustment slightly.
3 years on mine and been flawless
RRM