Like I said it will run (not that good) but when he turns it off it will crank and go right back dead. I can keep it running by geting on the gas but while driving when I go in on the clutch it turns right off. It's a 1985 body and a 1987 engine 22R with a carb. If anyone knows whats wrong please let me know and thanks in advance.

 

????

You wanna try explaining that one more time?

 

ok it will run but when he turns the truck off after driving it like to the store or somthing and try to start it again it will start but won't idle

 

Theres some sort of saying about the answer is only as good as the question...

so my best answer (which works for just about all old motors)

sounds like a vacume leak someplace.

 

I'll go with my old motor answer:
idle speed
air/fuel mix
timing
(Could be your mix is suddenly off with cold weather and winter gas - I used to adjust about once a month on my '89 22R ... man I miss that truck ....)

some other thoughts:
How many miles? Carb ever been rebuilt? If not, might be time. Or replace with a Weber 32/36 (what I did - significant performance improvement)

Mine had electric choke - make sure that is hooked up and working.

 

if timing is a possible cause, could this be a symptom of a timing belt/chain...approaching needing replacement?

 

I agree.
Sounds as if he's saying that as long as they're giving the engine some gas it's running but as soon as they ease up on the accelerator and letting it idle - it dies.

I'd go with vaccuum leak too.

 

I especially like the title..."my fathers truck runs until he cuts it off.." haha

 

Come on guys -- be nice. He can't help it, he's from Alabama.

 

man. thats almost as bad as being canadian

 

and marginally worse than being liberal.. ( ohhhh! )

 

From personal experience with a similar engine, I would second the vote for a vacuum leak or the idle bypass circuit.

I have an old F-150 with a 351 Windsor with a four barrel Holly and at idle, there is no ilde air available as the throttle plate is closed. Idle is only achieved with the idle bypass circuit which when blocked, prevents idle.

David

 

Canadian liberal ???? run for the hills

 

Easy newbie!
I'll keep my Canadian cracks to myself.