So I just bout this truck; 2WD, 4speed, wood bed. And it ran really bad when I got it, but it came with a carb rebuild kit. So I took apart the carb and hosed it out with carb cleaner. I didn't take it apart far enough to do a dip.

It will not start with out starter fluid, warm or cold. This has been a major pain in my rear since I haven't driven a stick in years. If I stall it at a light I have to get out of the truck and give it a squirt.

I would guess it's running lean (vacuum leak, probably, but I've spent a lot of time looking). I've got the idle cranked up so it isn't missing. The cold idle adjuster doesn't seem rest on anything. There is this tab that it would rest on, but that's not connected to anything. It has a green bushing in it like it was connected to something.... a pic of a proper one would be really helpful.

Lots of the vacuume hoses have been re-worked in crazy ways, so that might be a problem. Nothing looks like it wouldn't work though. I have a PDF of the factory manual which has been helpful in seeing how things should work.
I'm wondering how much stuff I can remove. If I could just cap off most of the vacuum lines and it would run okay then I would know where the leak was or wasn't.

I smoke tested it with a big cigar with no luck, so it's not a big leak, if there is a leak...

What could be causing a lean condition?

 

Oh, I should say I did a compression test, not great results, but not too bad either. I haven't checked timing yet... I should the guy I bout it from put in new plugs (the right ones) but didn't tuque them at all.

 

click on this link of my post I made on another person who had issues with starting their truck. It pertains to checking the choke. Of course the choke will be off on a warm engine, but right now it is a start (haha, I made a funny). Read only the first part regarding the choke.

https://www.yotatech.com/51978936-post2.html

Also check the fuel filter to see if it is clogged.

Check the fuel level in the carburetor bowl as well.



Certainly what you have already stated. Check all the rubber vacuum lines.



Post up the numbers from the compression test, and yes, check the timing.

 

I do think I may have messed up the choke, but there are bigger problems to deal with first. It looks like it's set up so it always runs in "warm up mode"... but the cold idle is disconnected.
I don't have a timing light, but will be using a friend's soon. Today I played with it blind and think it may have improved things a little.... Though maybe I was just improving things for the crazy conditions it's running under.
The carb has fuel right in the middle of the glass (that took many adjustments, but I got there). It stays at the same level running or not, I don't think it's fuel supply.

I don't know where I wrote the compression test results. It wasn't a well done test, I just wanted to see if there was any really major issues. I did it mostly cold and didn't do a wet test. 1 and 2 were right in spec, 3 was a little low but still in spec, and 4 was just under spec, but some valve lash adjustment might help that.

The more I play with it the better it gets. I don't know if there will be a magic bullet, it just needs everything tweaked back into place. I'm thinking about getting a Weber carb. This stock one has too many connections, and things to break... and most of them have broken years ago.

 

Since the fuel level is correct, that should rule out a lean condition from the carburetor. However, a correct float circuit does not necessarily mean any of the other circuits aren't clogged or restricted. There's not much of a way to test the fuel flow of a carburetor on a running engine.

So, check for any vacuum leaks at all rubber lines & gaskets, then that would tell you if the issue is actually carburetor related.

 

I'm thinking about removing the rusty bed on my '84 and building a wood bed. Can you post some pics of what yours looks like?

 

Have an 89 4runner with the 22re 4cyl automatic that is hard to start in the morning more so when cold , but once it starts and runs for a min it will fire right up all day. Plus the bolt holding the half shaft in position keeps backing out. I have new diff and half shafts but the there is alot of play in the hub to me bearings apear to b worn.