carburetor nightmare

[enyawix]

302 runs like crap as soon as it warms up. When the gas is pressed, the engine acts like it wants to back fire. Help!!! Someone mentioned the word "vapor lock." Can anyone explain this term? Is there a check list for carburetor?

 

[Dark Knight]

What carb?

 

[Cannoball888]

From the web:

Vapor Lock: When gasoline overheats and boils inside the carburetor bowl or fuel pump of a hot engine, it ceases to flow. This can cause stalling or hard starting. It usually happens during hot weather. If a hot engine won't start, all you can do is let it sit and cool off. You should check the cooling system to see if anything is causing the engine to run unusually hot (a bad thermostat or cooling fan, for example). Switching brands of gasoline may also help.

 

[D.Hearne]

Look for water in the fuel or if it's flooding.

 

[2nd Mustang]

Is your engine fuel injected, if so, do you have an electric fuel pump to pressurize the system? I see "throttle body" in your signature.

 

[dennis112]

Could you have a vacuum leak and your choke helps cover up the problem when cold?

Oh, FI--never mind.

 

[Dark Knight]

Is there a check list for carburetor?

Carbed...not FI yet

 

[enyawix]

I am sorry. The carburetor is on a 1980 302 f150. I took on this project to see if I would like a carburetor on my car. My mustang is EFI. I need help with the f150.

 

[D.Hearne]

Well for sure it isn't vapor lock. Like I said before look for dirt or water in the fuel. Or the choke sticking closed. Those are the top three problems with a carb. Wire the choke butterfly open and see what it does then. If it still does it, and you have an Autolite 2 bbl carb, remove the top of the carb body and look in the float bowl for dirt or water. If it's a Holley, you can remove one of the bottom bowl screws and let the gas run into the bottom half of a clear plastic coke bottle. If there's dirt or water, you'll see it.

 

[Dark Knight]

Might be an Acc. pump prob too...

 

[rbohm]

vacuum leaks, retarded ignition timing, dirt or water in the fuel, or a lean fuel mixture, or even not enough fuel being squirted in when accelerating are all causes of this problem.