Resurrecting my 77..

[deluxe77]

I have some technical problems i need help with.  Im not a mechanic but am generally mechanically inclined.  I am trying to revive my '77 custom Deluxe.  It has a Stock 350 with a holley 600 carb.  Factory Transmission and Transfer case.  All original is my understanding.  Tranny has been rebuilt once.  My problem is the truck has been sitting in a field for about three or four years.  It does start and run.  I replaced the carb, changed spark plugs and wires, and adjusted the timing.  The motor seems to run fine when idling but when driving down the road had no power what so ever.  Its almost like when you shift out of first it falls on its face...  I think i topped out at maybe 45 mph.  It backfires through the carb when warming up and when you press the gas pedal to first start out.   Any ideas on what could be the problem would be greatly appreciated and checked on...  This is a new problem for me...   Right now i am down to my motorcycle being my primary vehicle and need the 77 up and running.

[VileZambonie]

Change the cap and rotor too. Set the timing. Drain the gas and put fresh gas in it. Change the fuel filter

[deluxe77]

Ok ill get the cap and rotor...  but the gas has been changed due to it running out of gas while setting the timing and i replaced the fuel filter at the same time as the carb.   Thanks for the sugestion will let you know if that solves it.

[Stroker 79]

Ok ill get the cap and rotor...  but the gas has been changed due to it running out of gas while setting the timing and i replaced the fuel filter at the same time as the carb.   Thanks for the sugestion will let you know if that solves it.

I talked to Adam the other day and he had said something about you having issues. I also said something about the gas....but didn't know you had changed it out! Do you still have a header leak or broken header bolts? I think Adam was saying something of that nature but I could be wrong. I'll try to remember to talk it over with my buddy in the morning and see if he's got any idea's to add to the mix. Oh, is this carb your running the one you had issues with awhile back or is this the other one you got??

[adamsredlines]

Not to speak for Eric but this is yet another carb, this one was from a Co-workers Bronco.  This isnt the original one to him, or the other one I asked you about LOL...
I think this is #6 

[deluxe77]

This is a different carb.  And Adam is Correct it is the 6th carb i tried.  It is the only complete carb that i received all others had serious issues with them.  As for the Header leak.  I have one bolt that i believe is stripped out.  I can't get a bolt to thread into the hole.  But this has never been an issue before I have had header bolts back out and fall out many times before.  All this does is make me have to change header gaskets alot more often than usually necessary.  The bolt in question that is missing is on the passenger side 2nd one back from the front of the motor. 

[Lt.Del]

when a vehicle sits for years, usually the fuel pump goes.  It'll push some gas up to the carb (letting it idle) but when put under a load, it may not be enough gas gettin to it due to a rotted diaphram.
Just an idea.

If not that, then perhaps on the carb, you have a sticking float/seat needle (unless it is doing the same thing on all the carbs you tried.

[82k5diesel]

Backfiring through the carb sounds like a valve or lifter  sticking. Pour half a quart of atf in with the oil to free it up. Just a thought.

[deluxe77]

Well i put the new cap and rotor on.  It alleviated the backfiring problem but it still has no power through the range of gears.  I guess i am going to break down and save to buy a brand new carb instead of using hand me downs...

[Donut]

By chance, when you changed the cap and rotor, did you check to make sure the advance weights in the distributor weren't hung up?

[adamsredlines]

Unless he messed with it after I left, I dont think the distributor ever actually came out.  He set the timing on it, I believe 2 degrees advanced and it idles good....but he's not kidding when he says there's no power.  It kinda gets up to "speed" and you can MASH the gas and NOTHING happens.

[deluxe77]

Everything inside the distributor or under the rotor is should say,  that was supposed to move moved freely.  I heard again that it might be the fuel pump so i am going to replace the fuel pump before the carb.  Thanks again to everyone for all the help!!!!

[deluxe77]

Well I replaced the fuel pump and its still doing the same thing.  All i can think of now is that the carb i put on it needs rebuilt.  So i think i will save money and just go ahead and buy a new carb for it.  eventually i will go through the carb i have and learn to rebuild it myself just for a spare. 

[adamsredlines]

D'oh, I was hoping the fuel pump would do it!

At least it wasnt hot out when you did the install.   

[adamsredlines]

Just an update for you fellas....
Borrowed a carb from a friend of mine last weekend that he KNOWS is good (Was from his running Cobra Mustang) and put it on Erics truck, and it had the same symptoms....so back to the drawing board on that.

Eric picked up a compression tester this week, we did that this morning and found less than desireable results....7 of the cylinders are between 145-155....but that "other" one is only at 35, sooooooo we have a dead cylinder.  I think he's going to put some oil in the cylinder and test it again and see what happens, then take the valve cover off to try to determine if its a sticky valve, or bad rings or maybe something else...one step at a time.

On the positive side, he scored a basically complete 350 today for free...needs to be cleaned up but he's talking about throwing that on an engine stand and maybe punching it out a bit...could be fun