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New engine runs like crap under load

5033 Views 16 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  fordbronco1960
So it's been a couple years since I had my 460 built, and I am finally putting it in its final resting spot. In my '78 F150.

Specs off the top of my head:
C9VE block .030 over, D0VE heads, 22cc dished pistons, stock bottom end, Edelbrock Performer 460 intake, Edelbrock 1407 carb, mild low-end cam (can get specs if needed).

Ever since I had this engine, it would never run right while driving. However, while parked I can romp on it and it will sound just perfect all the way up to 5000rpm. I thought it wasn't getting enough fuel because of the 650cfm carb (I didnt know it was a 650 until recently).

Threw on a new 1407...sounded much better all around, with much better throttle response. But it still falls flat on it's face while under a load (driving). Then I got to thinking it's either timing, or the stock mechanical fuel pump is not getting enough to the carb. I'm leaning towards timing.

It was initially set to 9* advanced at idle. I never heard of checking the total mechanical advance until searching on here today. How exactly do I do this?

I do know it probably needs a tune-up (plugs, wires, cap & rotor), as they were all carried over from before it was rebuilt...

I'm just fed up more than anything. I've been working on it for the past 5-6 weeks (including dropping the engine in one weekend and fighting with an unknown flywheel and tracking down a clutch for it for an entire week!) I'm about ready to sell the dang thing or pay someone to set it up for me (which I really hate to do...)
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
bump the timing up to 13 to 15 and try it, should make a big differance.
Timing sounds real low.
on my 79 150 before I had the same problem changed carb fuel pump still nothing acted like it was running out of fuel come to find out the short rubber hose that runs to the fuel tank had a small crack in it you could drive it around all day with no problem but just as you get on it it would start sucking air. just my experince
I feel stupid for saying this but i had my 7 and 8 wire mixed up once, even checked it twice too. Sounded great in neutral but was a turn under load. Simple fix though. :)
Thanks for the info. I'm going to try to set the total mech. advance to 36-38* sometime in the next couple days and see what the initial timing is, and double check that it's not a tooth or two off. I've got new plug wires and new plugs for it, it's got a new fuel filter, new 750 carb, new air filter, new fuel line, new cap & rotor...new everything but the actual distributor and coil....
Initial timing w/o vaccum advance is 10* adv. Initial timing with vaccum is about 16*. Total vaccum advance is around 38*

Still runs like crap under load.

In the morning I am going to replace the plugs and plug wires along with a new coil. If that doesn't work, I will replace the distributor with the one on my 400. If that doesn't work, I will replace the fuel pump (or check what kind of pressure I'm getting at the carb).

(A little background: I bought a '78 Bronco with this 460 in it (actually a 429 at the time that was missing a ring-landing on the #6 piston). I had the machine shop machine it and give me a 460 crank and pistons and assemble my engine sans distributor and carb which I had in the garage that came off of it originally. So, the only parts I used were the distributor, coil, and carbureator. Everything else is new and set-up by the machine shop. It's got a new (correctly sized) carb on it, tomorrow it's getting a new coil, plugs and wires. If that doesn't do it, I will try the distributor off of my 400 (which was running the 400 just perfect for years and years, up until 4 weeks ago when we pulled the engine out of the truck). After that, there is nothing to replace or question other than the machine shop's work...)
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I am confused by your last post! The initial and total "without vacuum advance" is what you should be checking out first.
If it only has a problem under load,its the ignition.Probably secondary.Change your plug wires and THAT will fix it.....m
I am confused by your last post! The initial and total "without vacuum advance" is what you should be checking out first.
I started it and let it warm up completely and threw a timing light on it while the vaccum was hooked up. 16* at idle and 38* max while slowly increasing the RPM. I then shut it off, pulled off the vaccum line and plugged the ports and started it up. Timing at idle was about 10-11*.


I feel a little embarrassed about this, but I have not touched these vaccum advance systems before. I've mainly worked on old Toyota's and Chebbies ('cause my Fords never broke down! )
Don't be embarrassed, no one knows everything and we all can learn everyday! Check this out. http://www.carbdford.com/viewtopic.php?t=5543 Lot to read but it is good stuff.
if the timing is where you want it and it still runs bad i would take a hard look at the carb.
Don't be embarrassed, no one knows everything and we all can learn everyday! Check this out. http://www.carbdford.com/viewtopic.php?t=5543 Lot to read but it is good stuff.
Awesome! Just what I needed to read. The gears in my head are not grinding anymore! LOL

Thanks for the link!
Have you put a fuel psi gage on it ? Fuel pumps can go bad, not leak a drop and still pump just enough to run the engine but when a load is put on it it will fall flat on it's face. A small pin hole or a old piece of fuel hose can act just the same. If the pumps psi checks out ok (7psi) then try running it off a gas can rigged up under the hood.
I'd be checking to make sure the carb is jetted right. I put a new 750 on my jet boat's 460 right out of the box to break in the cam. That thing couldn't even get the boat up on plane.
Not enough fuel.
She's running much better now. I believe the plug wires were arcing out on each other or on the valve covers. They were old wires, and had a few burn marks on them that I didn't notice earlier.

New plugs, wires, and coil and she's ready for fine tuning now. Gotta play with the carb and set the final timing. Thanks for the help ya'll!
So it's been a couple years since I had my 460 built, and I am finally putting it in its final resting spot. In my '78 F150.

Specs off the top of my head:
C9VE block .030 over, D0VE heads, 22cc dished pistons, stock bottom end, Edelbrock Performer 460 intake, Edelbrock 1407 carb, mild low-end cam (can get specs if needed).

Ever since I had this engine, it would never run right while driving. However, while parked I can romp on it and it will sound just perfect all the way up to 5000rpm. I thought it wasn't getting enough fuel because of the 650cfm carb (I didnt know it was a 650 until recently).

Threw on a new 1407...sounded much better all around, with much better throttle response. But it still falls flat on it's face while under a load (driving). Then I got to thinking it's either timing, or the stock mechanical fuel pump is not getting enough to the carb. I'm leaning towards timing.

It was initially set to 9* advanced at idle. I never heard of checking the total mechanical advance until searching on here today. How exactly do I do this?

I do know it probably needs a tune-up (plugs, wires, cap & rotor), as they were all carried over from before it was rebuilt...

I'm just fed up more than anything. I've been working on it for the past 5-6 weeks (including dropping the engine in one weekend and fighting with an unknown flywheel and tracking down a clutch for it for an entire week!) I'm about ready to sell the dang thing or pay someone to set it up for me (which I really hate to do...)
well 700r i may be able to help with the cultch /flywheel thing.You need a flywheel clutch for a 360 or 390 ford block i did mine just 2 months ago
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