Classic/Antique Car Repair/1973 Ford F100

Advertisement

Expert: - 5/1/2011


Question
I'm restoring a 1973 Ford F100 with 360 ci 2 barrel carb. truck will crank but has rough idle and when I put it in drive and try to accelerate it spits and sputters with lack of power. I have installed new battery, starter relay, voltage regulator, Carburetor, vacuum lines, spark plugs and wires. Coil is working but distributor has a bit of free play and points are good. I also installed new water pump, thermostat, hoses and I noticed the truck will idle once it warms up.....any ideas would be great

Answer
The first thing that I do when diagnosing a problem like this is to take a compression test. If there is a problem internally like a burned valve or some other such malfunction you will never get power and a smooth running engine. And you have replaced all the external stuff that would cause this problem other than fix the play in the distributor. So, take a compression test and let me know the results and we will go from there.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.