Bringing my 71 f100 back, any idea about these problems?

[pattywatty23]

I am bringing my 71 f100 302 2wd auto back to life. It chugs and wants to die when I make turns and immediately at take offs. I am assuming fuel? Should I rebuild my carb or invest in a different one? I have had it for a few years and the previous owner let it sit in the field. The only maintainence it has had is a tune up last week and an oil change... and that's it since I owned it. Are there filters I should replace, parts replaced, systems flushed? I cannot for the life of me find my fuel filter either.. where is it?

My tranny has given me no problems until recently. It shifts louder and a little harder than I remember when I shift into gear and at many moments I am in drive and then it knocks into Neutral. I just have to wait it out, I shift to park and back to drive and that usually does the trick. I believe it only does it when I first start the truck after it's been sitting all day. I have fluid. Could it just be that I need a tranny flush and filter or does it seem to be something deeper than that?

Sorry if I sound like an ameteur, I am a young girl, and I having MANY more questions to come. I bought a 2000 4Runner...it check engined on me right after I bought it, gets worse gas mileage than a full size pickup, 'smog' is due at the end of the year, someone sawed my cat off. Forget it! I am bringing back my truck, I miss it anyway. I just want to start working on it and getting it safe for me and my baby to drive everyday! Your input is appreciated!!!

[TNIceWolf]

One possible source of the stumbling on takeoff that can be easily overlooked is a broken or seperated engine mount. As far as the fuel filter it could be possibly internal in the carb...where the fuel line attatches.... or contained in a small canister type housing on the bottom of the fuel pump that resembles a small oil filter. Some of the 302 specific guys will likely chime in soon and help on that. By the way.....welcome to Fordification. I think you will find a really nice and knowlegable bunch of folks here...or at least that has been my experience. In my opinion it is THE top resource on one of these old bumps. Good luck with your project!!

[basketcase0302]

pattywatty23,
Stop by here when you get a chance:
http://www.fordification.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

The stalling issue almost sounds like the accelerator pump on the carburetor to me. It certainly sounds like fuel starvation. Giving the truck a new gas filter certainly won't hurt her, (and could be the issue). What make/model carburetor does it have?
The transmission sounds to me like maybe the bands need replaced, or maybe rebuild the tranny. I'd start with giving it a fresh filter and some new type-F fluid. Hopefully someone else will come along in a little while for some more input.
Oh yeah...we love pictures!

[fordman]

the shifting back to park to start the truck would have to do with the neutral safety switch. you should be able to start the truck in neutral or park. if it won't start in neutral it could be the switch is out of adjustment. or the shifter linkage could be out of adjustment. and the nss is set properly for where the shift linkage is set at. if you have to adjust the shifter linkage you may have to also adjust the nss to match the new shift positions of the shifter detents.

something that may cause the shifter linkage to be out of adjustment is rusted out cab mounts. a possible reason it jumps out of drive could have somethign to do with the detent holder inside the column. it could be worn too. the hard or loud shiftign could be a trans fluid change. be careful using a flush or cleaner liquid. many of then contain something that makes the seals dry up. i think it is alcohol. you don't want to dry up the seals.

[mr_josh]

I think you'll definitely benefit from cleaning your carb and replacing the fuel filter, like basketcase stated. Follow the fuel line from the carburetor down to the pump, and then from the pump back to the tank. If there's no filter there, then you just have to pull the screen out of the carb where the fuel inlet is and clean that.

Fordman: the way I read it is that she's in drive, and suddenly the truck pops out of gear (that is, the shifter stays in drive but the clutches disengage). If that's the case, and she's absolutely sure it's full of fluid, then I'd be a little worried about the health of that tranny.

Patty, forgive me if this is stuff that you already know, but I've gotta say it: when you check your transmission fluid, are you checking it when the truck is warm and idling, and after you've run the gear shifter from Park down to 1st, and back to Park? Because if you don't, you won't get an accurate reading on the dipstick. If you'd doing that, and the transmission IS full of fluid, how does the fluid look? Is it burnt? If you wipe off the dipstick on a white rag, do you see traces of metal or a lot of burnt sooty residue? Does the fluid have an acrid burnt smell (maybe take a sniff of clean, fresh transmission fluid for reference)?

[TheCyclone]

I've gone through the same problems with my truck. I'd start by doing a carb rebuild and then focus on your air-fuel ratio and timing. I found that my transmission shifts really rough if my idle is high. These are really simple checks and fixes before you go tearing things apart. Then, I'd look at the torque converter. Work your way back step by step.

[pattywatty23]

Sweet, these postings are very helpful. Just a note, we ripped the safety switch out of the shifter, I use to have a problem where I had to jiggle the shifter around Park and turn the key until it got so bad it just crapped in the middle of the street. I do check the tranny fluid when it is warm and idling. I do not know what carb I have, I am going to have to start learning all this. I believe everything is stock from 71. I'll take pics today.

[basketcase0302]

Here's the carburetor schematics, you should be able to identify which one you have from these:
http://www.fordification.com/tech/schematics_e.htm
edit: you'll have to scroll down to carbs to see them.

[fordman]

I think you'll definitely benefit from cleaning your carb and replacing the fuel filter, like basketcase stated. Follow the fuel line from the carburetor down to the pump, and then from the pump back to the tank. If there's no filter there, then you just have to pull the screen out of the carb where the fuel inlet is and clean that.

Fordman: the way I read it is that she's in drive, and suddenly the truck pops out of gear (that is, the shifter stays in drive but the clutches disengage). If that's the case, and she's absolutely sure it's full of fluid, then I'd be a little worried about the health of that tranny.

Patty, forgive me if this is stuff that you already know, but I've gotta say it: when you check your transmission fluid, are you checking it when the truck is warm and idling, and after you've run the gear shifter from Park down to 1st, and back to Park? Because if you don't, you won't get an accurate reading on the dipstick. If you'd doing that, and the transmission IS full of fluid, how does the fluid look? Is it burnt? If you wipe off the dipstick on a white rag, do you see traces of metal or a lot of burnt sooty residue? Does the fluid have an acrid burnt smell (maybe take a sniff of clean, fresh transmission fluid for reference)?

i guess it could seem that way to i was really unsure on the descripition of the problem. maybe the seals in the transmission are giving out. or the valve body is bypassing because of dirt in the transmission or old gunk.

[pattywatty23]

MEET TBONE!

[tnbumper]

Nice bump! Looks like T-Bone is smirking the way the bumper bends down a little. Welcome to Fordification from Flintville TN. Where are you from? tnbumper

[pattywatty23]

OK! My bumper was perfect until a few days ago my hubby reversed and hooked onto a pole and stepped on the gas because he thought it was just the truck about to die. I am in Los Angeles CA

[FreakysFords]

OK! My bumper was perfect until a few days ago my hubby reversed and hooked onto a pole and stepped on the gas because he thought it was just the truck about to die. I am in Los Angeles CA

OUCH!!! Is hubby officially banned from bump?

[Dragon]

Nice anyway dents give character )

[TheEskimo]

Good looking truck, welcome to the forums.
I bent my front bumper a few months back, hooked it on a cement wall while I was backing out.