Stalling Problem

[sensesfail85]

I ran out of gas last week and since then my 73 will not stay running. It will idle for about 20 seconds perfectly then it will just stall out, if I push the gas it will run rough, I drove it about 13 miles and nothing changed. I have put in a fuel filter because it didn't have one before, I also cleaned the carb, does anybody have any suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Traction]

take the fuel lines off at both end and blow through it with compressed air there is probably rust or dirt in the lines

[HAPPYJOHN]

Originally Posted by Traction

take the fuel lines off at both end and blow through it with compressed air there is probably rust or dirt in the lines

x2, did you open the carb & clean out the needle & seat?

actually, i'd pull the fuel cap, and blow air from the front, in
case the fuel pickup is coated with crap.

if this solves issue, either pull tank and clean, or always
keep fuel above 1/2 tank.

[grasshopper77]

Even though the mechanical fuel pumps damn near last forever, they can fail once run dry (after a few hundred times in there life.) A plausible thing to consider.

edit:
Ohh and running an old carb dry isn't good for it. you could have all kinds of goodies in there once you run it dry and get it going again. Almost sounds like a carb isssue, you said you cleaned it out? Did you take it apart and clean it out?

[grasshopper77]

One other thing I was thinking about is if when the carb ran out of gas you also got some crap lodged in there somewhere from the bottom of the float bowls. A trick to try is to get her running and using a rag or summin similar (careful not to lose the rag into the engine ) rev the truck up, 3-4000rpm and hold there and quickly hold rag over top of carb, while still holding throttle. Pull rag off just before it stalls. Do that a few times in a row and see if it clears out.

Creates a huge vaccum (suction) and can sometimes draw out some nasties. I have fixed a running problem doing this, but be aware that if that is the case you will eventually need to rebuild the carb.

[sensesfail85]

Originally Posted by HAPPYJOHN

x2, did you open the carb & clean out the needle & seat?

actually, i'd pull the fuel cap, and blow air from the front, in
case the fuel pickup is coated with crap.

if this solves issue, either pull tank and clean, or always
keep fuel above 1/2 tank.

i dont know what the needle and seat is. i know nothing about carbs, im an import guy that has converted to off roading. i just got done cleaning out the fuel lines and found nothing clogged.

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by sensesfail85

i dont know what the needle and seat is. i know nothing about carbs, im an import guy that has converted to off roading. i just got done cleaning out the fuel lines and found nothing clogged.

Try what I said above and see what happens.

[sensesfail85]

i will try it when i get someone else here to start the truck for me.

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by sensesfail85

i will try it when i get someone else here to start the truck for me.

What? you can't start it and run around and hop in the engine compartment fast enough.

You could turn the idle screw way up and see if it stays running long enough to try yourself.

[sensesfail85]

where is the idle screw?

[HAPPYJOHN]

you need to get a hold of some local to help with carb.
a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.
( i learned that the hard way. )

[bscman]

FWIW,
When you run a mechanical fuel pump dry, it stretches the diaphragm inside further than it is used to being stretched. If it's an older pump, the rubber diaphragm inside could be getting hard, crusty, and starting to desintigrate.

When you ran it out of gas, it's possible some pieces of desintigrating rubber dislodged and found it's way into your carb--especially since you aren't running a filter (shame!).

I'd +1 for cleaning the needle/seat assembly.

Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, what kind of carb are you dealing with?

[GMCTruxrule]

Which will then start dumping fuel down into the oil pan. No bueno fo yo moto.

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by sensesfail85

where is the idle screw?

[bigyellowjimmy]

Originally Posted by sensesfail85

I ran out of gas last week and since then my 73 will not stay running. It will idle for about 20 seconds perfectly then it will just stall out, if I push the gas it will run rough, I drove it about 13 miles and nothing changed. I have put in a fuel filter because it didn't have one before, I also cleaned the carb, does anybody have any suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

If its a q-jet carb it should have a small fuel filter in the body of the carb, where the fuel line attaches. On a 73 it will be a very small filter and will clog easily. Since you said it didnt have a filter I'm wondering if you know about this?

[sensesfail85]

Originally Posted by grasshopper77

I dont know this truck at all. sorry!!

[sensesfail85]

Originally Posted by bscman

FWIW,
When you run a mechanical fuel pump dry, it stretches the diaphragm inside further than it is used to being stretched. If it's an older pump, the rubber diaphragm inside could be getting hard, crusty, and starting to desintigrate.

When you ran it out of gas, it's possible some pieces of desintigrating rubber dislodged and found it's way into your carb--especially since you aren't running a filter (shame!).

I'd +1 for cleaning the needle/seat assembly.

Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, what kind of carb are you dealing with?

its an edelbrock 4 bbl carb, dont know which one, should i just replace the fuel pump?

[sensesfail85]

also when it stalls there is about an 1/8 of an inch of fuel sitting in the carb.

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by sensesfail85

its an edelbrock 4 bbl carb, dont know which one, should i just replace the fuel pump?

Where trying to help you as much as we can online, giving you some tips and tricks but if you don't know where the idle screw is on a edelbrock carb you should probably get some help locally. Don't ask if you should just replace the fuel pump, none of us are there, and some of your replies are a bit confusing.

Originally Posted by sensesfail85

also when it stalls there is about an 1/8 of an inch of fuel sitting in the carb.

[sensesfail85]

ive been trying to get some help locally, with no luck. this is my first car with a carb, i know my stuff on fuel injection, the carb is just a new world to me. im trying to let you guys know everything that is happening that way we can come up with the best diagnosis.

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by sensesfail85

i know my stuff on fuel injection, the carb is just a new world to me.

Sorry dude i have a tough time believing that, although on the same coin I understand.

You ask some of the younger guys in the trade to rebuild a carb, even the most simple carb like the edelbrock and they look at you like "what?"

You know your fuel injection but don't know where the idle screw is? Even fuel injected vehicles have an idle/air screw.

I'm trying man, did you try revving up and clearing out the carb like I said?

[sensesfail85]

i havent had a chance yet, been working a lot, i hope to try it tomorrow.

[clifford67]

You need a mechanic. Your going to set your self on fire!

[grasshopper77]

Originally Posted by clifford67

You need a mechanic. Your going to set your self on fire!

sensesfail85...listen up and if you are gonna try it out be careful, cause we're all gettin' a little worried here. You can't set yourself on fire by doing this the worst that would happen is it will stall, or you suck the rag into the intake..

[clifford67]

Go with grasshopper. Hand jiving works wanders.