A2 quitting abruptly

[Mark]

Ok, the A2 quit while driving, there has been backfiring history so I thought coil.Put in another coil, no start.So I did the ignition troubleshooting(module, coil). Hmnn, gas gauge showed almost 1/4 tank.So I got out the wood lath stick, it showed about an inch of gas in the tank.Put gas in from gas can, still no start.Maybe it is air locked, so disconnected the gas line near carb, ran starter so gas would run out, put together the gas line.Bingo, it started right up!The lath stick is my trusty gas gauge!!
By the way, there is still backfiring every so often, so I am leaning to putting the zenith carburetor back on it(holley on it now)
If this is too minor/repeat of a posting it can be deleted at the discretion of the reigning king

[m3a1]

Mark, from your post, I'm not clear on what you're trying to say. What do you think is actually wrong with your truck?

[Cobra5]

I'd check for vacuum leaks and make sure your return hoses to the fuel tank are installed and in good condition especially if your using fuel that has ethanol in it.

[rickf]

No return line on a Holley. How is the fuel volume with the gas line off and cranking the engine? Should have strong spurts of gas from the pump. If just weak flow than either pump is bad or aftermarket filter is clogged if one is installed. I have said before I am not a fan of the Holley carb for the main reason that no repair parts are available for them. you could have a float or needle and seat issue but if you do there are no replacements available. You may be able to match something up if you search the Holley aisles in the flea markets long enough. If it is backfiring on deceleration then you have an exhaust leak and rich running at idle and it is lighting off the mixture at the leak. If it is backfiring on acceleration then it is ignition related and the spark is cutting out, cylinder and exhaust is loading up with fuel, and then the next time it fires it lights off all the gas in the exhaust. This is all assuming it is backfiring out the exhaust, if it is backfiring out the intake and assuming the timing is correct then either you have a burnt intake valve or most likely a lean condition.

[Mark]

I edited my original post, the A2 runs ok now, still have some backfiring on deceleration /exhaust.
The mutt was out of gas, fuel line was air-locked after putting gas in it.

[rickf]

Fuel line should not air lock, the float will be all the way down so needle valve would be all the way open and if the fuel pump is strong it would fill the carb in 6-7 engine rotations. The only way for line to air lock is if the carb end is blocked.

[Mark]

This is what I did; pulled the rubber hose(that was connected to the in-line fuel filter that was connected to the carburetor) off the steel fuel line, then operated the starter to get gas shooting out of the steel fuel line.Connected the steel fuel line/rubber hose.Started the mutt

[Mark]

The A2 was still backfiring, so Turned the fuel mixture screw in a 1/2 turn, now no more backfiring, the mutt has better acceleration.So is the spring too weak so the mixture screw backed out?Before I used a tach to the highest RPM setting to adjust the air/fuel mixture.

[rickf]

Hard to say, was there any resistance when you turned it in? Could it be that you initially set it in the cold weather? Hot and cold will change air density and that will also change mixture settings.

[Mark]

no resistance, 'course my feel sense might not be the best

[Mark]

The no backfiring didn't last long, maybe a day or so, I turned the idle mixture screw in 1/2 a turn.No more backfiring.I will see what today brings.
But I have a timing belt to put on the Honda(3rd one) asap.

[rickf]

If the screw keeps backing out you can get it set and drip some nail polish on it and that will lock it in place. Be sure to pick a pretty color! Needless to say it needs to be clean of any oil and dry before you do this. I will look at one of my Holleys and see what the spring looks like and if I have any that look like they will do the trick I will send it to you.

[Mark]

Thanks Rickf