1977 F250 questions, new used truck owner

jacksorbetter · Sep 1, 2014

We just bought a used 77 F250.

1) what is the fuel tank capacity (main and reserve tank)?

2) we replaced the distributor cap, rotar, wires, spark plugs, air filter, power stirring and alternator belt, did a complete oil change, and added a carb cleaner in the tank, flushing old gas by pumping 91... the truck ran good for a few miles, then started back firing and would shut down...we would let it sit for a few minutes and she'll start back up after a few attempts, but does anyone know what could be causing this?

Thank you guys in advance.

Skitter302 · Sep 1, 2014

Welcome!

1)The Rear Tank should be a 38 gallon and the Front is a 19 gallon.

2) Did you check your fuel filter? is the filter before or after the pump?

If your filter is after the pump and filter has some dirt in it, junk from the tank could of damaged the pump.

My last thought is that the carb could be in really bad shape, or since it sounds like you blended old fule with new fuel, the fuel could just be terrible.

jacksorbetter · Sep 4, 2014

Thank you so much.

Okay so update:

We took the carb off and cleaned it. Put it back and now it won't start at all. I think we may have threw off the idle, there was one screw that we kept turning, age watching and reading a bunch oF things on the Internet, i think that might be it.

Some people mentioned putting gas is the bowl. ... thoughts anyone?

When i put the carb back on after cleaning it, is there any setting that needs to happen, like is it okay that the butterfly trap is open, or should it be closed?

Thank you guys again for the tips/help. I really can't get a mechanic to do it. Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

jacksorbetter · Sep 4, 2014

Oh and while cleaning the carb (which wasn't as dirty as I thought it would be) we changed the fuel filter as well.

Skitter302 · Sep 5, 2014

Are you sure you don't have an electrical issue? Does the engine cough when you try to start it?

IF no,
Check for spark.

IF indeed Fuel issue:

You can prime the system by putting gas in the float bowl.
For a cold start the choke needs to be on for the best chance of getting the engine fired.
Are you sure that the carb is assembled properly? If anything is out of place, that could be your issue.
If you think the idle might be out of whack: back the idle screw all the way off. Then use the gas pedal to crack the throttle open just a lil.