perf-list-digest Friday, September 11 1998 Volume 01 : Number 085



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Performance
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In this issue:

Re: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement
Re: FTE Perf - Marine Engines
FTE Perf - 514 crate engine/C6
FTE Perf - Galling and spinning
FTE Perf - Shocks
Re: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement
RE: FTE Perf - Marine Engines
RE: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement
RE: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement
RE: FTE Perf - 514 crate engine/C6
FTE Perf - Tires
RE: FTE Perf - 514 crate engine/C6
FTE Perf - shock absorber replacement
Re: FTE Perf - Tires

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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 08:03:39 +0000
From: "Gary, 78 BBB"
Subject: Re: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement

From: Andrew Chung
Subject: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement
Date sent: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 20:11:43 -0700

> I'm looking to replace all four shock absorbers on my '98 Explorer. The
> body sways too much in turns and the rebound from the factory shocks is
> too stiff. I haul a lot of people around during trips and rides around

Does it have both anti-sway bars? Body roll is usually not controlled by the
shocks but by the springs and sway bars. Shocks have an effect when dips
and uneven spots in the road come along as to how far it will go and how
quickly it will return which can be affected by rebound for sure but if it's
wollowing in turns then I'd upgrade the sway bars first or stiffen the springs.

Another option would be air shocks which give you some adjustability.

The advantage of shocks like the bilsteins is that they are custom built and
can be changed to suit differing applications or terrain but they are very
expensive. The RS-9000's are adjustable but not separately like the bilsteins.
RTC can probably answer this but I believe the adjuster only controlls
compression.

Remember that after market shocks are one size (or rating) fits all where as
OEM shocks are carefully tested and fited to the application in very specific
ways and are generally good quality. (we used to manufacture them here).

The general rule is springs control compression and shocks control rebound
so most shocks have very little compression damping. If rebound is a
problem and you have wollowing in turns then the springs are very suspect
IMHO :-)

78 F-150, 2wd, 460, C-6, 235's "The Ex-Black Hole"
78 Bronco 351M, Np 435, Np 205, 33's "The Black Hole"
78 LIncoln Continental, 460, C-6, 19.5' long! "The Future.." :-)
9000#, in ground vehicle lift, Woooo Hoooo!

- -- Gary --
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 08:09:43 +0000
From: "Gary, 78 BBB"
Subject: Re: FTE Perf - Marine Engines

Date sent: Wed, 09 Sep 1998 19:17:56 -0500
From: "wild.bunch"
Subject: FTE Perf - Marine Engines

> Oil control is also a problem if the pan is not baffled correctly.

It's a 455 Ol** engine and my first thought is oil control since he's both
spinning bearings and galling pistons and developing blow by (which of
course can be improperly fit rings or honning of cylinders too). This guy is
rather eccentric but seems to be well read on the subject, just not sure of his
"inherent" mechanical ability or intuition so it's hard to read between the lines
when he trys to describe a problem.

He also tightens his aluminum water cooled exhaust manifolds as tight as he
can so they won't leak. I tried discussing this with him too but.........:-( He
gets the bolts so tight they embed the heads in the aluminum :-)



78 F-150, 2wd, 460, C-6, 235's "The Ex-Black Hole"
78 Bronco 351M, Np 435, Np 205, 33's "The Black Hole"
78 LIncoln Continental, 460, C-6, 19.5' long! "The Future.." :-)
9000#, in ground vehicle lift, Woooo Hoooo!

- -- Gary --
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Date: 10 Sep 1998 09:44:37 -0400
From: John.L.Johnson trw.com
Subject: FTE Perf - 514 crate engine/C6

How difficult would be it be to swap the 514 into my 76 F350 with 460/C6;
any adapters req'd to interface with the C6?; how about PS, alt. and A/C
brackets? Any discussion of pros and cons re. this swap would be appreciated.

John in N. VA
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:19:25 -0400
From: am14 chrysler.com
Subject: FTE Perf - Galling and spinning

Gary writes: >> A work associate is having trouble spinning bearings and
galling pistons at 4500-5500 rpm. That doesn't seem right to me? I will
say it's not a ford but I'm just curious what would cause this?

Lack of oil - Lack of oil - Lack of oil !.!.!. Can't say it enough - Lack
of oil.. Either insufficient oil volume or too tight clearances. These
are the only things I am aware of that will cause either of the problems
your associate is experienceing. All the spun bearings I've seen seized
1st (lack of oil) then spun. Galled pistons are merely too tight for the
amount of oil supplied. I'd say he probably has an oil passage restriction
somewhere in his engine since he is experiencing both, or a bad oil
pump(and surely he checked the pump/guage pressure).

Azie
Ardmore, Al.


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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:27:18 -0400
From: am14 chrysler.com
Subject: FTE Perf - Shocks

Andrew Chung writes: >>I'm looking to replace all four shock absorbers on
my '98 Explorer. The body sways too much in turns and the rebound from the
factory shocks is too stiff.

You might want to try a rear stabilizer bar. This is the best method of
keeping the vehicle from "swaying". Will stiffen the ride even more
though!.!.!.!.

Azie
Ardmore, Al.


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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:48:08 +0000
From: Garr&Pam
Subject: Re: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement

Andrew Chung wrote:
>
> I'm looking to replace all four shock absorbers on my '98 Explorer. The
> body sways too much in turns and the rebound from the factory shocks is too
> stiff. I haul a lot of people around during trips and rides around town
> and they have started really noticing the bad shocks. I've looked at a few
> brands but I would like to get some advice from people who have done shock
> replacements about which brand/model and why they chose the shock they did.
> I'm not gong to be towing a large amount of cargo. Mostly city/highway
> driving and carrying 4 people around. I do take trips to Tahoe and
> Yosemite and I plan on some more road trips in the future. I also plan on
> doing some light off road driving, nothing extreme.
> I've looked at the Edelbrock IAS shocks, Monroe Sensatrak shocks, and
> Rancho 9000s. A friend has also recommended either Bilstein or OME. Any
> help would be appreciated.

For your application I would go with the Edelbrocks! Bilsteins if I was
looking for handling over ride but I think Edelbrocks offers the best
combination of both!
Chris
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:27:21 -0400
From: Sleddog
Subject: RE: FTE Perf - Marine Engines

overrev is easy to cure. almost all ignition aftermarket companies have
rev limiters, and any good aftermarket ignition for high performance has
one built in.

oil control is harder to deal with, and as for #1, there ain't nothing to
do about that!

but, even with rev control the engine is saved when the prop gets air, but
when it hits the water again it is hard on all the componants from the prop
to the damper.

sleddog

- ----------
From: wild.bunch[SMTP:wild.bunch mci2000.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 1998 8:17 PM
To: perf-list ford-trucks.com
Subject: FTE Perf - Marine Engines

Marine engines work in a very tough world for two reasons:

1. They require continuous power, like aircraft, not intermittent power
like
cars.

2. They over rev very easily when the prop comes out of the water.

Oil control is also a problem if the pan is not baffled correctly.

tim

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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:35:20 -0400
From: Sleddog
Subject: RE: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement

i am partial to the rancho 9000. i use them on my last pull truck (no $$$
for them on new one yet) and on my street truck that i use for long trips,
heavy cargo, towing close to the 20,000# cgvw, and some off road, etc.

the adjustability is nice. i find i have 3 positions i use on my street
truck. position 3 all round for my general driving. positon 2 all round
for taking SWMBO for trips, and 3 front, 4 back for towing.

on my 77 f150 w 6" lift the rancho's 9000 in front made it handle and ride
like a new truck. ran position 3 or 4 on street, 5 for pulling (also pos 5
on street truck when it pulled the sled)

i find adjustability important, as a shock tht is good for me, may not be
for someone else.

sleddog

ps-never experienced any kind of shock fading or such even with fenderwell
headers running VERY close o them.




- ----------
From: Andrew Chung[SMTP:acchung techie.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 1998 11:11 PM
To: 'fordnatics lists.best.com'
Cc: 'perf-list ford-trucks.com'
Subject: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement

I'm looking to replace all four shock absorbers on my '98 Explorer. The
body sways too much in turns and the rebound from the factory shocks is too
stiff. I haul a lot of people around during trips and rides around town
and they have started really noticing the bad shocks. I've looked at a few
brands but I would like to get some advice from people who have done shock
replacements about which brand/model and why they chose the shock they did.
I'm not gong to be towing a large amount of cargo. Mostly city/highway
driving and carrying 4 people around. I do take trips to Tahoe and
Yosemite and I plan on some more road trips in the future. I also plan on
doing some light off road driving, nothing extreme.
I've looked at the Edelbrock IAS shocks, Monroe Sensatrak shocks, and
Rancho 9000s. A friend has also recommended either Bilstein or OME. Any
help would be appreciated.
== FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html




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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:45:23 -0400
From: Sleddog
Subject: RE: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement

mine *feel* like they stiffen both directions. and they also DONOT have
any preload. (ie they stay where you put them, not springing out after you
compress them.) in fact i think the display at OK 4wd had one with a
handle on it to move it, and they got stiffer in both comp, and rebound.

sleddog

- ----------
From: Gary, 78 BBB[SMTP:gpeters3 ford.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 1998 4:03 AM
To: perf-list ford-trucks.com
Subject: Re: FTE Perf - Shock Absorber replacement


The advantage of shocks like the bilsteins is that they are custom built
and
can be changed to suit differing applications or terrain but they are very
expensive. The RS-9000's are adjustable but not separately like the
bilsteins.
RTC can probably answer this but I believe the adjuster only controlls
compression.

- -- Gary --
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:54:05 -0400
From: Sleddog
Subject: RE: FTE Perf - 514 crate engine/C6

easy as pie!
pulle the 460, drop in the crate engine, hook up the carb, ignition, fill
with fluids, prime it, start it, enjoy it!

ok, maybe i siplified it but basically the crate engine is a truck 460 with
really good parts. so, the only thing i am unsure of really is the oil pan
that it comes with. that may need changing along with the oil pump pickup
then too. you also need some front end parts like pulleys and such i
think.

all accesories should bolt up no problem AFAIK the aluminum heads have the
stock mounting locations.

PROS:
easy big torque and power and extremely high testosterone levels associated
with showing the above to eveyone. looks stock to most people, noone knows
it ain't a 460, and even the CJ heads could be hidden if you wish.

CONS:
costs more than a 460cid build. will use alot of high test gas.

sleddog

- ----------
From: John.L.Johnson trw.com[SMTP:John.L.Johnson trw.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 1998 9:44 AM
To: Reply requested
Subject: FTE Perf - 514 crate engine/C6

How difficult would be it be to swap the 514 into my 76 F350 with 460/C6;
any adapters req'd to interface with the C6?; how about PS, alt. and A/C
brackets? Any discussion of pros and cons re. this swap would be
appreciated.

John in N. VA
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 07:31:53 -0800
From: Alex
Subject: FTE Perf - Tires

Help !!!!
Can anyone give me the part number for an owners manual for a '79
F-250 Supercab........and does anyone know what the largest size tires I can put on the
same stock afore mentioned 2 wheel drive truck ???????
Alex Cline
Fairbanks, Alaska
'79 F-250 Supercab, 460,C-6

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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 11:47:00 +0000
From: "Gary, 78 BBB"
Subject: RE: FTE Perf - 514 crate engine/C6

From: Sleddog
Subject: RE: FTE Perf - 514 crate engine/C6
Date sent: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:54:05 -0400

> CONS:
> costs more than a 460cid build. will use alot of high test gas.

There's no testosterone boost from doing the work yourself :-( and
researching all the parts and......and.......:-( This is the part I like, driving it is
like the icing on a very rich, self supporting cake (one that doesn't need any
icing that is). I only need to drive it once and I'm ready for the next project :-
)

78 F-150, 2wd, 460, C-6, 235's "The Ex-Black Hole"
78 Bronco 351M, Np 435, Np 205, 33's "The Black Hole"
78 LIncoln Continental, 460, C-6, 19.5' long! "The Future.." :-)
9000#, in ground vehicle lift, Woooo Hoooo!

- -- Gary --
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 08:57:39 PDT
From: "Michael Krause"
Subject: FTE Perf - shock absorber replacement

Andrew-
Don't go with the Monroe Sense-a-traks. I put them on my '91 Explorer a
little more than a year ago and am not pleased with the overall ride
after installing them. I couldn't tell the difference between the new
Monroe's and the old original shocks. I should have paid the extra 50
bucks and gotten a set of Bilsteins. That's what I'm planning on doing
in a few months. If you need a place to look for them I know that Auto
Zone now carries them though I don't know what they want for them. A
company called IPD(www.ipdusa.com) sells them for pretty cheap and they
are really good. I've dealt with them before when I got my sway bars
and they are really cooperative and have great customer service. If you
need any other information e-mail me direct. Hope this helps.
Mike Krause
sharktooth_76 hotmail.com

______________________________________________________
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Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 21:33:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: DUBCO ....

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