I feel like I messed up bad - new to me truck issues after purchase

[Carl Spangler]

Congrats on the 'new' truck. These trucks are GREAT but they are 50+ YO and generally need a close eye on neglected issues. It will likely take a while to iron out most of the bugs. One word of caution (since you mentioned putting a "new ignition" in) is to resist the urge to "upgrade" to non OE type parts. Points type ignitions have worked great for over 100 years. JMO............. and good luck sorting the stumble issue. Try to find a mechanic that is older than the truck.

[IT Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Carl Spangler

Congrats on the 'new' truck. These trucks are GREAT but they are 50+ YO and generally need a close eye on neglected issues. It will likely take a while to iron out most of the bugs. One word of caution (since you mentioned putting a "new ignition" in) is to resist the urge to "upgrade" to non OE type parts. Points type ignitions have worked great for over 100 years. JMO............. and good luck sorting the stumble issue. Try to find a mechanic that is older than the truck.

I am planning on going to a car show in a month and I am sure I will find someone there that can help. Most of that crowd would come help me do a overhaul in my drive for a 12 pack and lunch. The other issue is that our town is pretty small and they only offer drivers ed on one day or the donkey will get too tired.

I remember in HS we had the HUGE Sun scanner for diag and tuning.

[IT Cowboy]

Another updated added to the OP

Fuel filter by the carb was plugged up real guuud

I do feel quite a bit better knowing that now!

[Stocker]

Glad you found the problem! I thought your symptoms were similar to mine (post 30 in this thread).

[IT Cowboy]

II feel like and idiot like I have said before but I didn't feel like getting hit along the highway after dark either.

[IT Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Congrats on your new truck, it looks like a real beauty. My truck once ran similar, at least in part, to what you're describing. Turned out to be a clogged filter in the Q-jet carb. I replaced the old paper filter with a new sintered bronze filter and the problem was solved. Good luck, you'll find / fix it.

Winner winner, you called it!

I am relieved.

[IT Cowboy]

Final update in OP

[KevinK7]

First, Congrats on what looks like a real cool truck
I read through the posts real quick, as someone else mentioned, ...fuel filter sock (on the sending unit pickup).
You mentioned sputtering, fuel starving, smell of gas, plugged up carb filter, etc. ...(sadly) been there done that. Absolutely 100%, if you haven't replaced the fuel sock, do it now.

Long story short, when I got my truck (68 C20 Utility, in signature) I went through it, rebuilt carb, pertronix, etc, etc. It ran fine...for a week or so. Gas all over the carb, so I sent it back to the rebuilder (In CA). Get it back a 2nd time, truck was running fine. Second trip to gas station, spitting and sputtering.
It turned out the fuel sock was totally disintigrated and (no surprise) were clogging the filter, clogging up the carb, etc. When I did pull the sending unit, I decided to clean the tank too. The tank (still in cab, along with it being an Arizona truck) was spotless inside, BUT ...fragments of the fuel sock all over sitting at the bottom. Once that was done, I have not had an issue since.