Guys, need help...

It's actually with my truck, as the 5.0 is sleeping now, but the concepts
are the same, so I'm hoping someone can help me... here's the deal for
anyone who would like to help....

This just happened today. My 1980 Bronco, 351M, C6, with a Holley 600 and
manual choke is flooding, I think, something fierce. Here's the deal, and I
hope someone can help!

I'm driving it home today and it's running like a dream - like it always
does. I just start to go down a steep hill and it suddenly just dies.
Sputters and dies.

It won't start. But is cranking like mad. So I hold the gas to the floor and
hold the key on. After a few seconds it starts something rough, black smoke
billowing from the exhaust and the smell of gas. I take my foot off the gas,
it idles good for two seconds then the idle drops down (as it should) and it
sputters and dies quickly. It always starts with the gas pedal on the floor,
but dies as soon as you take your foot off and the revs go down. It's
impossible to drive, needless to say.

Also, the battery gauge has moved from dead centre towards the "C", about
half way. Keeping the revs up makes it come back to the centre a bit. The
battery is new and the connections tight. And it turns the starter like
crazy!

Also, I noticed it was running a little hot today as the weather warmed up
today and I had the grill bra on, but it was open, and the needle was still
in the "normal" zone.

The truck has about 250K (150 miles) on it and I am the second owner. It has
been exceptionally well taken care of, but I'm not sure how old the carb or
ignition and fuel systems are, as it's always ran great and I never screwed
with any of it.

I'm not sure what to do here. As long as you floor it to start it, it will
start (with a lot of black smoke and a strong gas smell), but take your foot
off the gas to put it in drive and it sputters and dies. Some gas comes
sputtering out the top of the carb when it dies and then it smokes from the
butterfly. (Setting the high idle with the manual choke does not help, nor
did turning the idle screw to increase the idle.)

Well guys, until I can get some assistance in this group, I'm hoofing it.
Please help if you can...

Thanks!

Brad

Sticking needle value and/or float would be my guess. Have you ever had the
carb overhauled? At 250K I'm certain that it needs work.

--
Richard

'94 GT 'vert
Under Drive Pulleys
Transgo HD2 Reprogramming Kit
High Stall Torque Converter
4:10 Gears
Gripp Sub Frame Connectors (welded)
FRPP Aluminum Drive shaft
FRPP M5400-A Suspension
Laser Red

"Brad and Mia" > wrote in message
news:kJyud.479442$nl.33099@pd7tw3no...
> It's actually with my truck, as the 5.0 is sleeping now, but the concepts
> are the same, so I'm hoping someone can help me... here's the deal for
> anyone who would like to help....
>
> This just happened today. My 1980 Bronco, 351M, C6, with a Holley 600 and
> manual choke is flooding, I think, something fierce. Here's the deal, and
I
> hope someone can help!
>
> I'm driving it home today and it's running like a dream - like it always
> does. I just start to go down a steep hill and it suddenly just dies.
> Sputters and dies.
>
> It won't start. But is cranking like mad. So I hold the gas to the floor
and
> hold the key on. After a few seconds it starts something rough, black
smoke
> billowing from the exhaust and the smell of gas. I take my foot off the
gas,
> it idles good for two seconds then the idle drops down (as it should) and
it
> sputters and dies quickly. It always starts with the gas pedal on the
floor,
> but dies as soon as you take your foot off and the revs go down. It's
> impossible to drive, needless to say.
>
> Also, the battery gauge has moved from dead centre towards the "C", about
> half way. Keeping the revs up makes it come back to the centre a bit. The
> battery is new and the connections tight. And it turns the starter like
> crazy!
>
> Also, I noticed it was running a little hot today as the weather warmed up
> today and I had the grill bra on, but it was open, and the needle was
still
> in the "normal" zone.
>
> The truck has about 250K (150 miles) on it and I am the second owner. It
has
> been exceptionally well taken care of, but I'm not sure how old the carb
or
> ignition and fuel systems are, as it's always ran great and I never
screwed
> with any of it.
>
> I'm not sure what to do here. As long as you floor it to start it, it will
> start (with a lot of black smoke and a strong gas smell), but take your
foot
> off the gas to put it in drive and it sputters and dies. Some gas comes
> sputtering out the top of the carb when it dies and then it smokes from
the
> butterfly. (Setting the high idle with the manual choke does not help, nor
> did turning the idle screw to increase the idle.)
>
> Well guys, until I can get some assistance in this group, I'm hoofing it.
> Please help if you can...
>
> Thanks!
>
> Brad
>
>

Richard... I haven't. I'm thinking the carb too. So, what would you say,
rebuild or new? If the problems you say are a cheap fix, okay, but if not,
should I just get a new one? And skip Holley? I had a 4bbl 640cfm on my
'67 and it was just a problem. I've heard lots of people say Edelbrock is
the way to go??? Help...

Thanks again!

Brad

"Richard" > wrote in message
news:dMAud.483520$%k.318344@pd7tw2no...
> Sticking needle value and/or float would be my guess. Have you ever had
> the
> carb overhauled? At 250K I'm certain that it needs work.
>
> --
> Richard
>
> '94 GT 'vert
> Under Drive Pulleys
> Transgo HD2 Reprogramming Kit
> High Stall Torque Converter
> 4:10 Gears
> Gripp Sub Frame Connectors (welded)
> FRPP Aluminum Drive shaft
> FRPP M5400-A Suspension
> Laser Red
>
> "Brad and Mia" > wrote in message
> news:kJyud.479442$nl.33099@pd7tw3no...
>> It's actually with my truck, as the 5.0 is sleeping now, but the concepts
>> are the same, so I'm hoping someone can help me... here's the deal for
>> anyone who would like to help....
>>
>> This just happened today. My 1980 Bronco, 351M, C6, with a Holley 600 and
>> manual choke is flooding, I think, something fierce. Here's the deal, and
> I
>> hope someone can help!
>>
>> I'm driving it home today and it's running like a dream - like it always
>> does. I just start to go down a steep hill and it suddenly just dies.
>> Sputters and dies.
>>
>> It won't start. But is cranking like mad. So I hold the gas to the floor
> and
>> hold the key on. After a few seconds it starts something rough, black
> smoke
>> billowing from the exhaust and the smell of gas. I take my foot off the
> gas,
>> it idles good for two seconds then the idle drops down (as it should) and
> it
>> sputters and dies quickly. It always starts with the gas pedal on the
> floor,
>> but dies as soon as you take your foot off and the revs go down. It's
>> impossible to drive, needless to say.
>>
>> Also, the battery gauge has moved from dead centre towards the "C", about
>> half way. Keeping the revs up makes it come back to the centre a bit. The
>> battery is new and the connections tight. And it turns the starter like
>> crazy!
>>
>> Also, I noticed it was running a little hot today as the weather warmed
>> up
>> today and I had the grill bra on, but it was open, and the needle was
> still
>> in the "normal" zone.
>>
>> The truck has about 250K (150 miles) on it and I am the second owner. It
> has
>> been exceptionally well taken care of, but I'm not sure how old the carb
> or
>> ignition and fuel systems are, as it's always ran great and I never
> screwed
>> with any of it.
>>
>> I'm not sure what to do here. As long as you floor it to start it, it
>> will
>> start (with a lot of black smoke and a strong gas smell), but take your
> foot
>> off the gas to put it in drive and it sputters and dies. Some gas comes
>> sputtering out the top of the carb when it dies and then it smokes from
> the
>> butterfly. (Setting the high idle with the manual choke does not help,
>> nor
>> did turning the idle screw to increase the idle.)
>>
>> Well guys, until I can get some assistance in this group, I'm hoofing it.
>> Please help if you can...
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Brad
>>
>>
>
>

Brad and Mia wrote:
>
> It's actually with my truck, as the 5.0 is sleeping now, but the concepts
> are the same, so I'm hoping someone can help me... here's the deal for
> anyone who would like to help....
>
> This just happened today. My 1980 Bronco, 351M, C6, with a Holley 600 and
> manual choke is flooding, I think, something fierce. Here's the deal, and I
> hope someone can help!
>
> I'm driving it home today and it's running like a dream - like it always
> does. I just start to go down a steep hill and it suddenly just dies.
> Sputters and dies.
>
> It won't start. But is cranking like mad. So I hold the gas to the floor and
> hold the key on. After a few seconds it starts something rough, black smoke
> billowing from the exhaust and the smell of gas. I take my foot off the gas,
> it idles good for two seconds then the idle drops down (as it should) and it
> sputters and dies quickly. It always starts with the gas pedal on the floor,
> but dies as soon as you take your foot off and the revs go down. It's
> impossible to drive, needless to say.
>
> Also, the battery gauge has moved from dead centre towards the "C", about
> half way. Keeping the revs up makes it come back to the centre a bit. The
> battery is new and the connections tight. And it turns the starter like
> crazy!
>
> Also, I noticed it was running a little hot today as the weather warmed up
> today and I had the grill bra on, but it was open, and the needle was still
> in the "normal" zone.
>
> The truck has about 250K (150 miles) on it and I am the second owner. It has
> been exceptionally well taken care of, but I'm not sure how old the carb or
> ignition and fuel systems are, as it's always ran great and I never screwed
> with any of it.
>
> I'm not sure what to do here. As long as you floor it to start it, it will
> start (with a lot of black smoke and a strong gas smell), but take your foot
> off the gas to put it in drive and it sputters and dies. Some gas comes
> sputtering out the top of the carb when it dies and then it smokes from the
> butterfly. (Setting the high idle with the manual choke does not help, nor
> did turning the idle screw to increase the idle.)
>
> Well guys, until I can get some assistance in this group, I'm hoofing it.
> Please help if you can...
>
> Thanks!
>
> Brad

Very possible a bad float. I had a similar porblem and that fixed it

I'd say the carb was the problem also. I'd recommend a brand new carb rather
that a rebuild. I've always run edelbrocks. Great carb. With a stock engine
such as yours, I'd go with a 500 cfm. My '71 pickup runs great with this
carb and has a stock, rebuilt 390. A 500 cfm, has smaller bores that help
power at a lower RPM range which is great for the street.

Mark

I've been running an Edelbrock on my chevy truck for about 14 years and have
not had to do anything to it. Truck runs great!

"Brad and Mia" > wrote in message
news:kJyud.479442$nl.33099@pd7tw3no...
> It's actually with my truck, as the 5.0 is sleeping now, but the concepts
> are the same, so I'm hoping someone can help me... here's the deal for
> anyone who would like to help....
>
> This just happened today. My 1980 Bronco, 351M, C6, with a Holley 600 and
> manual choke is flooding, I think, something fierce. Here's the deal, and
I
> hope someone can help!
>
> I'm driving it home today and it's running like a dream - like it always
> does. I just start to go down a steep hill and it suddenly just dies.
> Sputters and dies.
>
> It won't start. But is cranking like mad. So I hold the gas to the floor
and
> hold the key on. After a few seconds it starts something rough, black
smoke
> billowing from the exhaust and the smell of gas. I take my foot off the
gas,
> it idles good for two seconds then the idle drops down (as it should) and
it
> sputters and dies quickly. It always starts with the gas pedal on the
floor,
> but dies as soon as you take your foot off and the revs go down. It's
> impossible to drive, needless to say.
>
> Also, the battery gauge has moved from dead centre towards the "C", about
> half way. Keeping the revs up makes it come back to the centre a bit. The
> battery is new and the connections tight. And it turns the starter like
> crazy!
>
> Also, I noticed it was running a little hot today as the weather warmed up
> today and I had the grill bra on, but it was open, and the needle was
still
> in the "normal" zone.
>
> The truck has about 250K (150 miles) on it and I am the second owner. It
has
> been exceptionally well taken care of, but I'm not sure how old the carb
or
> ignition and fuel systems are, as it's always ran great and I never
screwed
> with any of it.
>
> I'm not sure what to do here. As long as you floor it to start it, it will
> start (with a lot of black smoke and a strong gas smell), but take your
foot
> off the gas to put it in drive and it sputters and dies. Some gas comes
> sputtering out the top of the carb when it dies and then it smokes from
the
> butterfly. (Setting the high idle with the manual choke does not help, nor
> did turning the idle screw to increase the idle.)
>
> Well guys, until I can get some assistance in this group, I'm hoofing it.
> Please help if you can...
>
> Thanks!
>
> Brad
>
>

Thanks for the advice everyone! I suspect the same thing but it's nice to
have someone second your opinion. I talked to Ford today and I'm going to
take it in on Monday. They quoted me about 2 hours plus parts for a
rebuild - seems to be the cheapest way to go right now. I hear they're not
hard to rebuild, but I never have and I need the truck now... it's pretty
cold outside.

Thanks again everyone for chipping in on my winter Mustang!

Brad


"Brad and Mia" > wrote in message
news:kJyud.479442$nl.33099@pd7tw3no...
> It's actually with my truck, as the 5.0 is sleeping now, but the concepts
> are the same, so I'm hoping someone can help me... here's the deal for
> anyone who would like to help....
>
> This just happened today. My 1980 Bronco, 351M, C6, with a Holley 600 and
> manual choke is flooding, I think, something fierce. Here's the deal, and
> I hope someone can help!
>
> I'm driving it home today and it's running like a dream - like it always
> does. I just start to go down a steep hill and it suddenly just dies.
> Sputters and dies.
>
> It won't start. But is cranking like mad. So I hold the gas to the floor
> and hold the key on. After a few seconds it starts something rough, black
> smoke billowing from the exhaust and the smell of gas. I take my foot off
> the gas, it idles good for two seconds then the idle drops down (as it
> should) and it sputters and dies quickly. It always starts with the gas
> pedal on the floor, but dies as soon as you take your foot off and the
> revs go down. It's impossible to drive, needless to say.
>
> Also, the battery gauge has moved from dead centre towards the "C", about
> half way. Keeping the revs up makes it come back to the centre a bit. The
> battery is new and the connections tight. And it turns the starter like
> crazy!
>
> Also, I noticed it was running a little hot today as the weather warmed up
> today and I had the grill bra on, but it was open, and the needle was
> still in the "normal" zone.
>
> The truck has about 250K (150 miles) on it and I am the second owner. It
> has been exceptionally well taken care of, but I'm not sure how old the
> carb or ignition and fuel systems are, as it's always ran great and I
> never screwed with any of it.
>
> I'm not sure what to do here. As long as you floor it to start it, it will
> start (with a lot of black smoke and a strong gas smell), but take your
> foot off the gas to put it in drive and it sputters and dies. Some gas
> comes sputtering out the top of the carb when it dies and then it smokes
> from the butterfly. (Setting the high idle with the manual choke does not
> help, nor did turning the idle screw to increase the idle.)
>
> Well guys, until I can get some assistance in this group, I'm hoofing it.
> Please help if you can...
>
> Thanks!
>
> Brad
>
>

Haven't worked on a carb for 20 years. I'd do the quick and cheap (used to
be) route by installing the basic carb overhaul kit. (new float, needle
valves, gaskets, etc). Like I suggested it could just be a bit of dirt in
the valve seat or a float that is faulty and a kit and cleaning will do the
fix if that's all that's wrong.

--
Richard

'94 GT 'vert
Under Drive Pulleys
Transgo HD2 Reprogramming Kit
High Stall Torque Converter
4:10 Gears
Gripp Sub Frame Connectors (welded)
FRPP Aluminum Drive shaft
FRPP M5400-A Suspension
Laser Red

"Brad and Mia" > wrote in message
news:t3Bud.479621$nl.240471@pd7tw3no...
> Richard... I haven't. I'm thinking the carb too. So, what would you
say,
> rebuild or new? If the problems you say are a cheap fix, okay, but if
not,
> should I just get a new one? And skip Holley? I had a 4bbl 640cfm on my
> '67 and it was just a problem. I've heard lots of people say Edelbrock is
> the way to go??? Help...
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Brad
>
> "Richard" > wrote in message
> news:dMAud.483520$%k.318344@pd7tw2no...
> > Sticking needle value and/or float would be my guess. Have you ever had
> > the
> > carb overhauled? At 250K I'm certain that it needs work.
> >
> > --
> > Richard
> >
> > '94 GT 'vert
> > Under Drive Pulleys
> > Transgo HD2 Reprogramming Kit
> > High Stall Torque Converter
> > 4:10 Gears
> > Gripp Sub Frame Connectors (welded)
> > FRPP Aluminum Drive shaft
> > FRPP M5400-A Suspension
> > Laser Red
> >
> > "Brad and Mia" > wrote in message
> > news:kJyud.479442$nl.33099@pd7tw3no...
> >> It's actually with my truck, as the 5.0 is sleeping now, but the
concepts
> >> are the same, so I'm hoping someone can help me... here's the deal for
> >> anyone who would like to help....
> >>
> >> This just happened today. My 1980 Bronco, 351M, C6, with a Holley 600
and
> >> manual choke is flooding, I think, something fierce. Here's the deal,
and
> > I
> >> hope someone can help!
> >>
> >> I'm driving it home today and it's running like a dream - like it
always
> >> does. I just start to go down a steep hill and it suddenly just dies.
> >> Sputters and dies.
> >>
> >> It won't start. But is cranking like mad. So I hold the gas to the
floor
> > and
> >> hold the key on. After a few seconds it starts something rough, black
> > smoke
> >> billowing from the exhaust and the smell of gas. I take my foot off the
> > gas,
> >> it idles good for two seconds then the idle drops down (as it should)
and
> > it
> >> sputters and dies quickly. It always starts with the gas pedal on the
> > floor,
> >> but dies as soon as you take your foot off and the revs go down. It's
> >> impossible to drive, needless to say.
> >>
> >> Also, the battery gauge has moved from dead centre towards the "C",
about
> >> half way. Keeping the revs up makes it come back to the centre a bit.
The
> >> battery is new and the connections tight. And it turns the starter like
> >> crazy!
> >>
> >> Also, I noticed it was running a little hot today as the weather warmed
> >> up
> >> today and I had the grill bra on, but it was open, and the needle was
> > still
> >> in the "normal" zone.
> >>
> >> The truck has about 250K (150 miles) on it and I am the second owner.
It
> > has
> >> been exceptionally well taken care of, but I'm not sure how old the
carb
> > or
> >> ignition and fuel systems are, as it's always ran great and I never
> > screwed
> >> with any of it.
> >>
> >> I'm not sure what to do here. As long as you floor it to start it, it
> >> will
> >> start (with a lot of black smoke and a strong gas smell), but take your
> > foot
> >> off the gas to put it in drive and it sputters and dies. Some gas comes
> >> sputtering out the top of the carb when it dies and then it smokes from
> > the
> >> butterfly. (Setting the high idle with the manual choke does not help,
> >> nor
> >> did turning the idle screw to increase the idle.)
> >>
> >> Well guys, until I can get some assistance in this group, I'm hoofing
it.
> >> Please help if you can...
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> Brad
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

I used to run Holleys on my Chevys. I agree with Richard, installing an
overhaul kit is an easy thing to do.
The kits are not that expensive as I recall, though it's been nearly 20
years since I bought one.

Kate

"Richard" > wrote in message
news:3MOud.485138$nl.387640@pd7tw3no...
| Haven't worked on a carb for 20 years. I'd do the quick and cheap (used to
| be) route by installing the basic carb overhaul kit. (new float, needle
| valves, gaskets, etc). Like I suggested it could just be a bit of dirt in
| the valve seat or a float that is faulty and a kit and cleaning will do
the
| fix if that's all that's wrong.
|
| --
| Richard
|
| '94 GT 'vert
| Under Drive Pulleys
| Transgo HD2 Reprogramming Kit
| High Stall Torque Converter
| 4:10 Gears
| Gripp Sub Frame Connectors (welded)
| FRPP Aluminum Drive shaft
| FRPP M5400-A Suspension
| Laser Red
|
| "Brad and Mia" > wrote in message
| news:t3Bud.479621$nl.240471@pd7tw3no...
| > Richard... I haven't. I'm thinking the carb too. So, what would you
| say,
| > rebuild or new? If the problems you say are a cheap fix, okay, but if
| not,
| > should I just get a new one? And skip Holley? I had a 4bbl 640cfm on
my
| > '67 and it was just a problem. I've heard lots of people say Edelbrock
is
| > the way to go??? Help...
| >
| > Thanks again!
| >
| > Brad
| >
| > "Richard" > wrote in message
| > news:dMAud.483520$%k.318344@pd7tw2no...
| > > Sticking needle value and/or float would be my guess. Have you ever
had
| > > the
| > > carb overhauled? At 250K I'm certain that it needs work.
| > >
| > > --
| > > Richard
| > >
| > > '94 GT 'vert
| > > Under Drive Pulleys
| > > Transgo HD2 Reprogramming Kit
| > > High Stall Torque Converter
| > > 4:10 Gears
| > > Gripp Sub Frame Connectors (welded)
| > > FRPP Aluminum Drive shaft
| > > FRPP M5400-A Suspension
| > > Laser Red
| > >
| > > "Brad and Mia" > wrote in message
| > > news:kJyud.479442$nl.33099@pd7tw3no...
| > >> It's actually with my truck, as the 5.0 is sleeping now, but the
| concepts
| > >> are the same, so I'm hoping someone can help me... here's the deal
for
| > >> anyone who would like to help....
| > >>
| > >> This just happened today. My 1980 Bronco, 351M, C6, with a Holley 600
| and
| > >> manual choke is flooding, I think, something fierce. Here's the deal,
| and
| > > I
| > >> hope someone can help!
| > >>
| > >> I'm driving it home today and it's running like a dream - like it
| always
| > >> does. I just start to go down a steep hill and it suddenly just dies.
| > >> Sputters and dies.
| > >>
| > >> It won't start. But is cranking like mad. So I hold the gas to the
| floor
| > > and
| > >> hold the key on. After a few seconds it starts something rough, black
| > > smoke
| > >> billowing from the exhaust and the smell of gas. I take my foot off
the
| > > gas,
| > >> it idles good for two seconds then the idle drops down (as it should)
| and
| > > it
| > >> sputters and dies quickly. It always starts with the gas pedal on the
| > > floor,
| > >> but dies as soon as you take your foot off and the revs go down. It's
| > >> impossible to drive, needless to say.
| > >>
| > >> Also, the battery gauge has moved from dead centre towards the "C",
| about
| > >> half way. Keeping the revs up makes it come back to the centre a bit.
| The
| > >> battery is new and the connections tight. And it turns the starter
like
| > >> crazy!
| > >>
| > >> Also, I noticed it was running a little hot today as the weather
warmed
| > >> up
| > >> today and I had the grill bra on, but it was open, and the needle was
| > > still
| > >> in the "normal" zone.
| > >>
| > >> The truck has about 250K (150 miles) on it and I am the second owner.
| It
| > > has
| > >> been exceptionally well taken care of, but I'm not sure how old the
| carb
| > > or
| > >> ignition and fuel systems are, as it's always ran great and I never
| > > screwed
| > >> with any of it.
| > >>
| > >> I'm not sure what to do here. As long as you floor it to start it, it
| > >> will
| > >> start (with a lot of black smoke and a strong gas smell), but take
your
| > > foot
| > >> off the gas to put it in drive and it sputters and dies. Some gas
comes
| > >> sputtering out the top of the carb when it dies and then it smokes
from
| > > the
| > >> butterfly. (Setting the high idle with the manual choke does not
help,
| > >> nor
| > >> did turning the idle screw to increase the idle.)
| > >>
| > >> Well guys, until I can get some assistance in this group, I'm hoofing
| it.
| > >> Please help if you can...
| > >>
| > >> Thanks!
| > >>
| > >> Brad
| > >>
| > >>
| > >
| > >
| >
| >
|
|