All Small Six 250 Won't Stay Running

[Aeroneous]

Looking for a little guidance on troubleshooting steps for the 250 in my 1974 Maverick. I've been slowly redoing the interior on the car, usually starting it and letting it run every couple of months. Recently I put the interior back together and was planning to sell it. Got the car fired up and it was running perfectly. Topped off the coolant in the radiator, then took it to the car wash. I got a temp light on the way and the overflow hose on the radiator was steaming when I got there. Only ran it for about a minute after the temp light had come on. Washed the car and immediately afterwards it would not stay running without giving it some throttle.

I limped it home and started trying to figure out the issue (no temp light or overheating on the way back). Used a compressor to blow out all the spark plug wires, around the outside of the spark plugs, and inside the distributor. It ran perfectly again for about 10-15 seconds and then died. It is back to dying instantly after trying to start and you have to hold down the throttle to keep it going.

In the recent past I have replaced:
- Fuel pump (mechanical)
- Fuel filter
- Fuel line coming out of the gas tank that was deteriorating (this was shortly before the drive to the car wash)
- Spark plugs and wires
- Carburetor, tuned with a vacuum gauge
- Battery

If anyone has any thoughts on what the issue might be or recommendations for troubleshooting steps, please share them.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, did you check for spark? What ignition system do you have, original points and condenser, or something else? Good luck

 

[DON]

Anytime I hear about a car or motorcycle sitting, then it doesn’t run good, I think fuel problem. Were you using ethanol free gas? That is the only thing I know that saves fuel systems when setting

 

[Frank]

Verify that the heat or anything else did not dislodge or rupture a vacuum line. Check for vacuum leaks, including the PCV system.