83 2.3 loss of power/clutch issues

[kbold]

i got a 83 ranger 2.3, its the 2nd motor in it and pretty sure its an 84 2.3 still has the duraspark box and what not, mechanical fuel pump was taken out and electric fuel pump conversion done to it even tho its carb still. the power loss is significant... with brake booster line plugged in ill start the truck and it has all the power at idle and not moving(driving) but no get up and go power going down the road and it surges a bit in 3rd and 4th gear(4speed). i noticed when i turn the truck off theres a pretty loud hissing coming out of the throat of the 2bbl carb. but without brake booster vacuum hose hooked up it doesnt make that hissing sound when u shut the truck off?

clutch problem, slave was leaking and bleeder screw was stripped out so i bought a OEM replacement and changed it out bleeding it to specs in haynes manual, now the trucks clutch disengages/engages all the way at the floor and most the time wont even shift into gear unless forced, but if i take my foot off the clutch pedal for 10-15seconds then try shifting it shifts like butter with no hesitating or force needed. any help would be much appreciated!! going nuts!


(trying procedure posted on forums here to bleed clutch) will update this post right after i do so, still need help with power/misfire!

 

[kbold]

really need HELP!! iv tryed everything i can think of, checked timing, did full tune up (cap,rotor,spark plugs which are ngk v-power's,spiral core plug wires,msd coil with blaster pack,voltage regulator was bad so replaced that along with the capacitor that goes with it, alternator was on its last legs so put a new one in also. carb doesnt have the fuel return/vent line hooked up im not sure if it needs a line ran back into the tank or if im suppose to hook it up a specific way? its a holley 2barrel carb. truck is an 83 with an 84 2.3 motor

forgot to mention its sooting out the exhaust(black residue) on hard acceleration and also when you try driving it when its cold and hasnt warmed up to at least 1/4 on temp guage it does machine gun back firing out the exhaust then picks up and hauls ass then does it more and repeats itself till its warmed up enough.

 

[zekew64]

really need HELP!! iv tryed everything i can think of, checked timing, did full tune up (cap,rotor,spark plugs which are ngk v-power's,spiral core plug wires,msd coil with blaster pack,voltage regulator was bad so replaced that along with the capacitor that goes with it, alternator was on its last legs so put a new one in also. carb doesnt have the fuel return/vent line hooked up im not sure if it needs a line ran back into the tank or if im suppose to hook it up a specific way? its a holley 2barrel carb. truck is an 83 with an 84 2.3 motor

forgot to mention its sooting out the exhaust(black residue) on hard acceleration and also when you try driving it when its cold and hasnt warmed up to at least 1/4 on temp guage it does machine gun back firing out the exhaust then picks up and hauls ass then does it more and repeats itself till its warmed up enough.

First, the fact that you're blowing black smoke tells me you're running way too rich. I would recommend that the carb setting be tuned correctly; more than likely, your choke isn't working like it should.

Second, as to the fuel return line, you should have a charcoal or vapor canister. There is a return line from the canister back to the fuel tank.

Third, the "machine gun backfiring" that it does while cold tells me that your thermactor system isn't working properly. Basically, the thermactor system uses engine bay heat to warm up quicker, before fully opening to let cold air in. Also, your exhaust valves could have issues with seating, or you could have worn camshaft lobes, where it's basically throwing off the timing under hard acceleration. I would check the valvetrain on the top of the motor, to make sure you don't have bad valve seats or worn springs.