Ford 3000 loading up

[RedDawg]

I've got a 1968 Ford 3000 gas model that is having a fuel problem. After an hour or so of working with any kind of load on it, the engine seems to bog down, it starts missing and losing power. I have to take the load off to keep it running and then the missing cylinder(s) start firing again.

As with a lot of these old tractors, the original fuel pump system has been replaced with an electronic fuel pump. A couple of years ago after seeing fuel dripping from the carburetor and in an attempt to address this problem, I replaced the one that was on it when I bought the tractor with an Autobest F4027 Externally Mounted Universal Electric Fuel Pump. It provides fuel at 2.5-4.5 PSI. It helped but I still find it's overwhelming the carburetor. If I only open the fuel petcock a half a turn, it seems to help. The carb has been rebuilt a couple of times.

Is there a better fuel pump to use? What's the best way to diagnose and address this? When it starts missing and losing power I can't really jump off the tractor and pull plug wires (using a spare plug) to find the one that's missing since taking the load off allows all cylinders to fire again. How would you approach this? Thanks in advance.

 

[Sean in PA]

The bogging down problem sounds like the coil may be starting to go bad, and the one cylinder that's acting up first probably has something else that's less than optimal for a good spark, like an old spark plug cable that's not up to snuff, or the plug is fouled or not gapped correctly.

 

[RedDawg]

(quoted from post at 09:17:06 06/12/20) The bogging down problem sounds like the coil may be starting to go bad, and the one cylinder that's acting up first probably has something else that's less than optimal for a good spark, like an old spark plug cable that's not up to snuff, or the plug is fouled or not gapped correctly.

Sean, thanks for the information. These items may need attention but it acts more like fuel than anything else. However, I'm open to being wrong on that.

I checked my records. The coil was replaced 4 years ago when I also put in a Pertronix electronic ignition during some of my initial attempts to fix this issue. I don't have record of replacing the plugs and wires at that time but I know I've cleaned and gapped plugs. I may just replace those and the wires to take them out of the equation.

If anyone else has anything let me know. Thanks.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Sounds like to me is loading up with fuel (flooding) taking the load off and revving the engine clears it out ?

If its loading up it blowing black smoke and smells rich ?

If this is the case it has a heavy float replace it... BTDT

 

[3000OH]

While I dont think your pump is causing the loading problem, its pressure might indeed be causing the leaking. Ive generally heard (but have no experience) that pumps like yours have too much pressure for our carbs. Heres a lower-pressure one on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Solid-State-Fuel-Pump-Posi-Flo/dp/B072HFLQWX