!!Desperate for some Help!! (Mechanical Issue)

[method9]

The problem that I am having on my 73' Bronco is this. I use it as a DD and in the morning or anytime that it has been sitting for more than an hour it cranks for quite a while before it will start and then it will idle very rough for about 2 minutes until it quits. Even after it has been running for about 10 minutes on the road it will still quit if you are not pushing on the gas. Any suggestions as to what I can check or replace? It just seems to never warm up and run well. Could it be becasue of the colder weather? Please Help

 

[RajinCajun]

Check your choke mechanism, if it is the heat pipe style, make sure the tubes are not stopped up, if it is electric make sure it is getting power and make sure it is working... When you get in if it is cold, don't touch the gas...open your hood and remove the air cleaner..the choke should close if you mash the gas once...how much is closes is up to adjustment...then as the engine warms up it opens up when you mash the gas until it finally opens all the way.. I would say check there first, it sounds like your choke isn't working at all...

 

[Skuzzlebutt]

It could just be due for a basic tune up. It sounds like the timing needs advancing, and if you can't recall the last time you changed the points, do that too. A temp fix for any idling problem is simply raising the idle. Do it while the engine is warm, and idling. Turn it up until it seems to smooth out. This is really just a band aid to get you thru till the next day you have to spend more than two minutes under the hood.

 

[72Sport]

Could be a bad fuel pump. They have a check valve in them which may let the fuel line to the tank go empty after it has been sitting. It also makes the fuel pump work correctly so the gas can only move toward the carburetor and not leak toward the tank when the line from the pump to the carb is under pressure. I would put a gage in the fuel line or replace the pump if all else fails.

 

[sixtysick]

Could have some vacuum lines unplugged.

J

 

[Scott M]

Never runs well?

I'd check some basic stuff off the bat.

-look at all vacuum lines/fittings for something that came off or cracked.
-check for vac leak around carb and baseplate when its running
-pull each plug boot (one at a time) while running, and make sure all cylinders are firing
-check the PCV and air filter
-pull the plugs and see if they are getting oily or general condition, check the condition of the wires
-check condition of rotor/cap/points/ maybe just replace for good measure (pretty cheap)
-still nothing, check yer timing (heard of timing chains jumpin a tooth, but don't have any experience w/ one), but dizzy coulda
-and if ya ain't found anything yet:
-start to check that carb: air/fuel mixture screws, although I can't see them coming unadjusted all of the sudden
-choke stuck?
-and maybe even pull the lid and see if ya got a bunch of crap in there. stock carbs are cheap (in my opinion), or easy to rebuild, if that's what your runnin, filter too.

beyond that, well....