1972-1976 Ford and Mercury - car dies when put in drive

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car dies when put in drive

Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=17572
Printed Date: 19-April-2024 at 4:16PM
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Topic: car dies when put in drive

Posted By: Readaniel18
Subject: car dies when put in drive
Date Posted: 03-November-2018 at 1:37PM

I have a '73 Gran Torino Sport and just recently I've started having a lot of backfire and also when put in drive or reverse it dies. I've already taken the carb off and rebuilt it, change the spark plugs checked all vacuum lines and checked the timing and everything checks out. wondering if anyone has had a similar issue, and if so what fixed it.

Replies:

Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 03-November-2018 at 2:55PM

How is the timing? How many miles on the engine? Factory timing chain?

If the timing is off the scale it may have jumped a tooth.

Posted By: Readaniel18
Date Posted: 03-November-2018 at 3:19PM

Timing just got done a few weeks ago, was the first thing I checked. Yes factory timing chain. 32,000 miles

Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 03-November-2018 at 4:49PM

could be the timing chain? also check for a major vacuum leak!

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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION

Posted By: aquartlow
Date Posted: 04-November-2018 at 1:44AM

If timing chain checks out(may be able to see/check through fuel pump hole) could be that the carburetor is too lean(a small piece of debris in one of the small internal orifices), also check the ignition coil and/or it's wiring(could be wired "bass-ackwards").

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www.supermotors.net/22468
Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires.

No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t.

Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone.

Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 04-November-2018 at 2:27AM

What engine and carb do you have? Is it backfiring through the carb or through the exhaust? Was there any problems before you rebuilt the carb?

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Vince

1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car

GTS.org Admin

Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 04-November-2018 at 5:47AM

points in the distributor? if so that's a 99%er

and if the original nylon cam sprocket is still in there, times up

faster way to check the chain is to turn the crank backwards and watch how many degrees it takes for the rotor to move. not quite as accurate but non-invasive

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72 GT Ute

Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 04-November-2018 at 6:11AM

are you running points? double check the firing order on the plug wires too

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JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE
74 VETTE CUSTOM
90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED
77 CELICA CUSTOM
75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED
79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED
75 VEGA V6 5 SPD
70 CHEV C10 P/U
68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION

Posted By: handsofstone
Date Posted: 04-November-2018 at 9:15AM

Pcv valve is something to look at as well.

Posted By: kevinj
Date Posted: 30-November-2018 at 11:15AM

I had similar problems w different older vehicles----if the problem recently started could it be contaminated fuel ? have you checked the point and plug gap ? , another thought is the brake booster needing replaced- internal diaphragm old and falling apart? sucking too much air- clamp it off w vise grips and see if it makes a difference-