My 292 was running fine. Then when i took it on longer trips i noticed she started running badly, had to keep the accelerator down to keep her running. Then I bought gas and anext time i drove her she started backfiring through the exhaust and carb. As I went she got worse. I figured it must be bad gas so i bought some dry gas/cleaner and next time she ran good, but didn't go far. Then next time i drove her she was really bad almost didn't make it home. So I fiddled with the dist cap put some fresh gas in, and she started rough but ok went to leave and it got worse and worse. then it started running good. Then on the way home it started up good,ran good, got half way home and she started backfiring again. Almost didn't make it home. I swaped out the coil, no change. I replaced both gas filters, no change. I am thinking maybe the accelerator pump on the carb, the fuel pump or the condenser. Maybe as simple as the coil wire, but it looks fairly new. I bought the truck out of Idaho last fall. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

coil wire, condenser,dirty carb, bad accelerator pump.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

From your description, the problem is intermittent, so need to look at things from that prospective. A good place to start might be taking the valve covers off. Is the top end oiling good? Has the engine sat for a long period? Could be a sticking valve or valve train problem...

Paul

In addition to the above mentioned things, it could simply be points too close and are sticking or if a distributor has sat a long time, the advance can get rusty. They can advance and then not return. However, my first guess would be stale gas with valves sticking.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

If you don't find the problem from the very good suggestions that these fellows have given, one more place to check would be the distributor primary wire. Sometimes the wire will break inside the insulation from having moved back and forth so many times as the points plate advances.



Tom from the chiggerfarm located in the beautiful Heart of Central Texas

When you cannot dazzle others with your brilliance, baffle them with bullcorn!

I’ll add that from your description this sounds like it’s ignition system related but the fuel system is still on the list of possibilities.  Is the ignition electronic or points?  If electronic, what brand?  If points, have you checked or replaced the condenser?  You’ve already replaced the coil so I’ll assume the replacement is a good one.  Double check all wiring inside and outside the distributor.  Does the problem show up more as the fuel tank level gets lower?  If so, then an internal crack in the fuel line within the gas tank itself is a possibility.  Is the vent for the gas tank clear of obstructions?  Something as simple as a mud dauber blocking the vent line can be tough to trouble shoot if not looking at it and may not show up on short trips.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

hey man i had that same problem 2 weeks ago i drive my 57 f100 with a 272 y-block in it as my daily driver one day she started misfiring real bad changed out spark plug wires cap rotor and still did it so i pulled the points out put some new points gaped them and perfect hasent dont it since u might wanna take a look at your points

FORD IS LIFE OIL N GAS IS MY BLOOD

Thanks, all of you. I will give it a try and keep you all up to date. I do have a new set of points, cap and condenser for a 62 390, I'll try to cross check it to see if they are interchangeable by chance.

Thanks Again

its all the same.

Do you still have the old gas filters? Cut them apart and see if there is any crap in them. Maybe some dirt/crud in the gas tank that keeps getting picked up and gets through the filter.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ