need help with engine trouble

[leeranger]

84 2.8 new tfi module, fuel filter, and just rebuilt carb the choke works and float was set to 7/32 it will start only if I pump on the gas then dies if I don't hold to pedal down I want to say the lowest it idles is about 1500 it doesn't seem to be flooding it just stalls and you can hear air sucking in what should I look into next I need it running for work soon

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Air sucking in = vacuum leak. If you can get someone to keep it running, use a short length of garden hose to locate the leak [like a stethescope].

 

[leeranger]

Just redid all the gaskets so I'm not sure where to check I can't get it to stay running unless I hold gas pedal in

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

This is all generic advise as I have no personal knowledge of your carb. Make sure all vacuum hoses are connected and not cracked. Is your pvc valve hooked up? edit; the brake booster line? The reason I ask you to get someone else to keep it running is so you can check for leaks. A gasket could have moved during installation or you could have forgot some vacuum line.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

IIRC those years have lots of vacuum controls going to the passenger side fender. The stock plastic lines get brittle. They may have cracked while you repaired the carb.

 

[leeranger]

Ill have to double check the big lines I know I hooked up what I remembered pcv is in brake booster is in the front line from the intake to the card was split on the end might look into redoing my lines all togethe

Also forgot to mention when i start the truck and rev it to aout 3000 plus theres a pretty loud high pitch whistle but still won't start unless I pump about 3 4 times while cranking

 

[AndyB.]

Where did you get the 7/32 float height spec, and how did you set it?

 

[leeranger]

There's a rebuild guide in the tech articles and I bent the end that holds the needle not the wide part on the float

 

[AndyB.]

Without the carburetor tag number, I can't give you the exact spec. Most have a dry setting of around 7/16, which is only used to get it close enough to run. Most wet settings are .810, measured from top of carburetor body down to fuel level.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Is that a wet float setting? Pull the top off of the carb and measure from the top of the float bowl to the center of the fuel. You want .810 according to the book but 3/4 works just fine. Preadjust the idle air needles out 3 1/2 turns from lightly seated. Be sure and measure in the center of the fuel in the bowl as the fuel creeps up the sides of the bowl and your setting will not be correct.

Oh yea dont put pressure on the float needle with your finger pull the float and bend the tab and then check it again, the motor will run with the top off of the carb just keep a fire extinguisher handy. It is a good way to check the wet float let the engine suck the fuel out of the bowl if too full.

 

[leeranger]

It's stuck at my office right now I only turned the screws 1 1/2 turns from seated and 7/32 was a dry set haven't checked it wet

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If your running with the computer you must unplug the idle control motor to adjust the needles. Start at 3 1/2 turns out until the engine fully warms up then unplug the idle control motor and adjust the needles for thew highest possible engine rpm. Then plug the motor back in at it should control engine idle around 700 rpm. The idle stop screw on the drivers side is called the antidiesel screw what you do is give it throttle until the plunger fully depresses on the idle control motor and unplug it then let off the throttle and adjust the speed at around 650 rpm and then come to normal when you plug the idle control motor back in. Keep the IAT senser plugged in when the engine is running,

 

[leeranger]

Went out and got my self a vaccum guage and replaced some lines my screws are currently at 1 1/2 turns from being seated I still have to check my float level wet I'll get back on that tomorrow the screw on the drivers side is what I've been playing with because I have to adjust my idle high for it to even stay running I tried using the vacuum gauge to adjust the needles but it bounces like crazy until it hits about 13 buy still isn't steady I can turn the right screw all the way in and the engine still runs and when I turn the key off it takes a couple seconds for the motor to shut off I am trying to set idle speed first but my tach isn't working and recently it seems like no matter what it's running rich thick smoke from tailpipe that smells like gas but it's white I thought rich fuel Burns black