Everything was fine until Saturday: Driving down the highway at about 65 MPH when I start feeling jerks that make it feel like my truck is pulling a trailer.
When I need to go up hill, I have to give it extra gas, and the "trailer jerk" goes away.
When I come to a 4-way intersection, I have to slow down and go into 3rd to make the turn. While the clutch is pressed in, the engine dies, but continues on as soon as I let out of the clutch (This is when I know something bad is going on).
Come to a 4-way stop, and the truck dies when the clutch is pressed in.
Tried starting the truck again. The engine spins over fine. Plenty of juice on the battery, and the tank is sitting at about 3/4 full. No backfires and no "almost starts" unless I wind on the starter long enough to build up some serious RPMs, but the engine never really catches.
Called a buddy on the phone, and he came out to help. We removed the air cleaner, and he cupped his hands over the carburetor to give it extra choke while I cranked on it. After a few tries, the engine cranked - rough at first, then as smooth as silk for about 15 seconds, then it died. We got it cranked again, and this time I had to stay on the throttle just to keep it running (it would not idle). Black smoke was coming out the exhaust pipe and it smelled strong of gasoline. My buddy said it was running like it was flooded. There were no backfires, and no misses in the firing so all of the plugs are firing like they should.
We limped the truck over to an automotive shop where it sits now. The mechanic called and said the truck cranked up fine for him, and that he's driven it 10 miles with no problems.
What could this be?
1986 Toyota pickup with the 22R engine and about 100k miles.My first thought was a bent rocker arm or a slipped timing chain, but if it started back up, that could not have been it.
It has gas. The battery is charged.
Anyone?