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Fleetlover · 09-16-2003, 09:37 AM

Have a problem with the 250 in my 71 that I can't seem to correct . bought the truck about a year ago and drove it some but not a lot . Always needed to be choked and accelerator pumped to start and would not run decent until warmed up . When warm it ran ok but no powerhouse . Also many times if accelerator was releasedquickly it would stall . I attributed this to worn carb . Over last month or so has gotten progressively worse . Will start but can't be driven. Acts like advance is not working . PO installed HEI . Mechanical weights are free and Vacuum canister looks good . Pulled three plugs randomly and all were perfect coloration . HAs new carb fuel pump cap rotor and ignition module . Yesterday while looking things over again and hoping for divime inspiration I noticed that three of the manifold bolts had not been fully tightened In fact one was barely in the head and thought it was stripped but replaced and got them all tight . Could I still have a vacuum leak from running like that which would be great enough to affect the vacuum advance ? Burnt valve crossed my mind but seems would still start and run but skip if that was case . Would sure like to take a drive . Any help would be greatly appreciated . Thanks George

hgs_notes · 09-16-2003, 10:03 AM

Sounds to me like it may be starved for fuel. Have you replaced the fuel filter or worst case, looked in the gas tank?

Hard starting isn't unusual if the the choke isn't adjusted coreectly or working at all. Might even be something as simple as idle mixture adjustment.

Overall though, sounds like a clogged fuel line/filter.

Good luck

HG

Fleetlover · 09-16-2003, 10:15 AM

New filter is clear and full . Fuel pickup not plugged. Doesn't seem to be gas problem . George

hgs_notes · 09-16-2003, 10:40 AM

There was apost a couple days ago about installing an HEI. It mentioned running a new wire for full voltage to the HEI because the original didn't.

Did the problem get worse after the HEI change? Does the enginr rev good while parked and sputter while driving? Is it a new carb or used? New HEI or used. Good coil or questionable? If it got worse after any changes, I'd look there. Otherwise, I'm stumped.

HG

Fleetlover · 09-16-2003, 10:48 AM

HEI has been in since I bought the truck . Does not rev good whether parked or moving New rebuilt carb HEI unknown age coil unknown All changes listed made after things started getting bad Guess it could be the coil Haven't changed that . Beginning to look like process of elimination When everything has been replaced except one then it must be that one thing

Longhorn Man · 09-16-2003, 11:22 PM

You messed with the timing yet?

Fleetlover · 09-17-2003, 08:58 AM

Yeah I've messed with just about everything . Was going to replace the intake gasket but tried spraying starting fluid around possible leak area with engine idling and no change Did notice air entrained with gas in filter Now wonder if I have a leak in pickup tube in tank . Pulled main fuel line and it was not plugged nor was line thru cab floor . Other than the air leak only thing I can think is I bought a defective pump or cam lobe is worn and pump won't deliver enough fuel . Am going to do a pump test tonite and if OK may cut steel line in tank and replace with rubber temporarily to see if anything changes . This is drivin me crazy which is a pretty short drive on my best day .

TROYLV · 09-17-2003, 09:41 AM

had the strangest thing on a 65 elcamino i built. sometimes it would starve for gas, then run fine. long story short, ended up being something like mold in the steel fuel line from tank. replaced fuel line no more problems. truck had set for several years before i got it.never run into this before or again. the stuff was a black tar like stuff and was sticking to the inside of the fuel line. coundn't get it out so new steel line was put in. i found it buy blowing air through the line. just another thing to check.

09-16-2003, 09:37 AM	#1
Fleetlover Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Along the Erie canal NY Posts: 124	A slow death Have a problem with the 250 in my 71 that I can't seem to correct . bought the truck about a year ago and drove it some but not a lot . Always needed to be choked and accelerator pumped to start and would not run decent until warmed up . When warm it ran ok but no powerhouse . Also many times if accelerator was releasedquickly it would stall . I attributed this to worn carb . Over last month or so has gotten progressively worse . Will start but can't be driven. Acts like advance is not working . PO installed HEI . Mechanical weights are free and Vacuum canister looks good . Pulled three plugs randomly and all were perfect coloration . HAs new carb fuel pump cap rotor and ignition module . Yesterday while looking things over again and hoping for divime inspiration I noticed that three of the manifold bolts had not been fully tightened In fact one was barely in the head and thought it was stripped but replaced and got them all tight . Could I still have a vacuum leak from running like that which would be great enough to affect the vacuum advance ? Burnt valve crossed my mind but seems would still start and run but skip if that was case . Would sure like to take a drive . Any help would be greatly appreciated . Thanks George __________________ 71 C10 Short Fleet coughing and sputtering down the backroads 59 Apache short fleet resto started now suspended 1884 victorian home Current restoration project 1997 GMC Sierra Z71 1973 Harley FLH undressed 1949 male body somewhat abused but still starts most mornings

09-16-2003, 10:03 AM	#2
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	Sounds to me like it may be starved for fuel. Have you replaced the fuel filter or worst case, looked in the gas tank? Hard starting isn't unusual if the the choke isn't adjusted coreectly or working at all. Might even be something as simple as idle mixture adjustment. Overall though, sounds like a clogged fuel line/filter. Good luck HG __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

09-16-2003, 10:15 AM	#3
Fleetlover Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Along the Erie canal NY Posts: 124	New filter is clear and full . Fuel pickup not plugged. Doesn't seem to be gas problem . George __________________ 71 C10 Short Fleet coughing and sputtering down the backroads 59 Apache short fleet resto started now suspended 1884 victorian home Current restoration project 1997 GMC Sierra Z71 1973 Harley FLH undressed 1949 male body somewhat abused but still starts most mornings

09-16-2003, 10:40 AM	#4
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	There was apost a couple days ago about installing an HEI. It mentioned running a new wire for full voltage to the HEI because the original didn't. Did the problem get worse after the HEI change? Does the enginr rev good while parked and sputter while driving? Is it a new carb or used? New HEI or used. Good coil or questionable? If it got worse after any changes, I'd look there. Otherwise, I'm stumped. HG __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

09-16-2003, 10:48 AM	#5
Fleetlover Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Along the Erie canal NY Posts: 124	HEI has been in since I bought the truck . Does not rev good whether parked or moving New rebuilt carb HEI unknown age coil unknown All changes listed made after things started getting bad Guess it could be the coil Haven't changed that . Beginning to look like process of elimination When everything has been replaced except one then it must be that one thing __________________ 71 C10 Short Fleet coughing and sputtering down the backroads 59 Apache short fleet resto started now suspended 1884 victorian home Current restoration project 1997 GMC Sierra Z71 1973 Harley FLH undressed 1949 male body somewhat abused but still starts most mornings

09-16-2003, 11:22 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	You messed with the timing yet?

09-17-2003, 08:58 AM	#7
Fleetlover Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Along the Erie canal NY Posts: 124	longhornman Yeah I've messed with just about everything . Was going to replace the intake gasket but tried spraying starting fluid around possible leak area with engine idling and no change Did notice air entrained with gas in filter Now wonder if I have a leak in pickup tube in tank . Pulled main fuel line and it was not plugged nor was line thru cab floor . Other than the air leak only thing I can think is I bought a defective pump or cam lobe is worn and pump won't deliver enough fuel . Am going to do a pump test tonite and if OK may cut steel line in tank and replace with rubber temporarily to see if anything changes . This is drivin me crazy which is a pretty short drive on my best day . __________________ 71 C10 Short Fleet coughing and sputtering down the backroads 59 Apache short fleet resto started now suspended 1884 victorian home Current restoration project 1997 GMC Sierra Z71 1973 Harley FLH undressed 1949 male body somewhat abused but still starts most mornings

09-17-2003, 09:41 AM	#8
TROYLV Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: LAS VEGAS, NV. Posts: 157	fuel line had the strangest thing on a 65 elcamino i built. sometimes it would starve for gas, then run fine. long story short, ended up being something like mold in the steel fuel line from tank. replaced fuel line no more problems. truck had set for several years before i got it.never run into this before or again. the stuff was a black tar like stuff and was sticking to the inside of the fuel line. coundn't get it out so new steel line was put in. i found it buy blowing air through the line. just another thing to check. __________________ troy wilson



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