65 289 sipts and sputters half way up a hill

[KnightRider]

The last 2 times I've come home from doing repairs I get half way up a large hill to get home and it starts spitting, sputtering and backfiring. Once it is at the top of the hill it runs fine after about 1/2 mile, otherwise it seems to run fine. Any thoughts as to what I should check? Could this be a coil issue, fuel pump not able to keep up filling the bowl on a hill?? Kinda at a loss on this one.

Thanks!!

 

[Hwyman]

I could be all those things you mentioned, or more. On my Ford p/u that did the same thing, the floats had gotten way out of adjustment. The extra demand of going up a hill drained the bowl and it essentially ran out of fuel. As soon as I could back out of the gas it recovered and ran fine. Check float adjustment. Fairly easy and one thing to cross off the list.

 

[woodsnake]

Backfiring sounds more like ignition, under a load. I'd look at the vacuum line from the distributor, and take a look at the wires on/around the coil. Also, how old is your timing gear set?

 

[68RCodeConv]

Float level too low.

 

[horseballz]

Things to check:
>Fuel filter
>Possible leak/crack in one of the rubber pieces of fuel line from the tank to the pump allowing air to be sucked in.
>"Sock" type filter in tank plugged
>Weak fuel pump. Get a vacuum gauge/fuel pump tester from Harbor Freight:

Fuel Pump and Vacuum Tester

Once you learn to use it for tuning and fuel pump testing, you will find it to be the best $12 you've ever spent!

My $.02,
Gene

 

[69gmachine]

I would suspect a timing problem also. Check to make sure your inital timing is correct and stable, and then the vacuum and mechanical advance are working properly.

Most Ford engines set the initial timing at a very low 6 degrees. I'd say the minimum should be 10 for anyone who wants to dial in some performance. Use a vacuum pump with a gauge to make sure the vacuum advance is working.