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Subject: perf-list-digest V2 #264
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perf-list-digest Thursday, October 14 1999 Volume 02 : Number 264



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Performance
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In this issue:

RE: FTE Perf - TFI ignition upgrade
FTE Perf - Gas tank switch
FTE Perf - first rebuild
RE: FTE Perf - first rebuild
FTE Perf - Tweety's Ticker
Re: FTE Perf - TFI ignition upgrade

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Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 08:43:30 -0500
From: "William S. Hart"
Subject: RE: FTE Perf - TFI ignition upgrade

> My truck is a '94 F150 300ci with 51K miles, and it stumbles under
> acceleration. Dampness makes the problem worse, and it has been
> occurring more frequently over time. I have checked/replaced all of the
> usual suspects (plugs [Bosch, gapped slightly oversize], wires [Jacobs],
> cap & rotor [AutoZone], coil [MSD Blaster], O2 sensor [Bosch], fuel
> filter, power supply to coil and fuel pumps [checks OK], bad gasoline
> [tried many different sources and grades]) and now I suspect the TFI
> module since the problem occurs when the truck should be getting the
> computer controlled equivalent of vacuum advance.


Wow, that's quite a list ... usually when something like this (especially
susceptible to dampness) comes up, I check the cap and rotor, then its on to
the ignition modules as those are usually the culprit ... it could very well
be the TFI, I can't guarantee that though, there should be at least one
other module hiding there under the hood ...

have you had the codes scanned or checked by anyone ? That may tell you
right off if its the TFI or not... as for aftermarket, I haven't heard of
any, but then I don't really try and look either ...

Just my $.02
wish

96 Mustang GT 4.6L
73ish F100 4x4 6.4L
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.public.iastate.edu/~wish

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Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 09:14:11 -0500
From: "Allen Collins"
Subject: FTE Perf - Gas tank switch

My gas tank switch that changes tanks is not working, it only shows the
fuel level when switched over. Someone in the past history of this truck
routed the front fuel tank hose to the electric fuel pump.

What I would like to know is in my opinion it would be easier to install an
aftermarket change over switch for both tanks. Where would I find one of
these (or precisely what do I look for)? Any other problems or solutions I
should look at? Your advice is appreciated

Thanks for the bandwidth

Allen

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Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 20:16:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: Andy Osborne
Subject: FTE Perf - first rebuild

Hi all! I'm looking at doing my first rebuild on
my 300-6 and would like to hear what you all
think about the best place to buy a kit. So far
I've checked at autozone (159 without pistons or
crank) and pepboys (400-600 with pistons no
crank). Do any of you have any experience
building this motor? Most people say its just
getting broken in at this point (220k) but I
think my troubles are a little deeper than that.
Since we've had it the only major problem we've
had is some sort of computer problem. I'd like
to put in a cam with a bit more lift and a
header(1) on it and this is the best time to do
that so any recommendations on the cam? How hard
is it to actually find one of the 6 cyl headers?
Does a torque converter wear out over time or
will they outlast even the 300? If it is
important it is an '87 with fuel injection.


Andy Osborne
standing on the street waiting for your two cents
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
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Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 23:21:32 -0500
From: "William S. Hart"
Subject: RE: FTE Perf - first rebuild

> Hi all! I'm looking at doing my first rebuild on
> my 300-6

Congratulations :) With help from this list I did a rebuild of a 390 this
spring...still runnin too :)

>and would like to hear what you all
> think about the best place to buy a kit. So far
> I've checked at autozone (159 without pistons or
> crank) and pepboys (400-600 with pistons no
> crank). Do any of you have any experience
> building this motor?

I'm not sure about these kits, what I did was call around to the machine
shops and see who would work on this old Ford motor I had ... you might be
better off as its a newer one ... anyway I let them deal with getting the
parts together for me, so they did all the machine work and got my business
for the parts too ... they let me select a cam and compression ratio and all
that stuff ...

> Since we've had it the only major problem we've
> had is some sort of computer problem. I'd like
> to put in a cam with a bit more lift and a
> header(1) on it and this is the best time to do
> that so any recommendations on the cam? How hard
> is it to actually find one of the 6 cyl headers?

Hmmm...computer problems ... this is a fuel injected unit then ? Well there
aren't any standard chips or anything available for this that I know of, so
putting in a cam with more lift and a header will require a chip burned by a
tuner to be fully utilized ... these can be a bit pricey, but will let you
realize the full potential of the motor ...

6cyl headers can be found, but I don't know about with the O2 sensor bungs
or anything ... check with Clifford manufacturing, they make lots of parts
for the 6cyls.

You really need to determine what you want to do with this truck ? Pulling
? Commuting? Both ? What gears are in the rear? What tranny? All kinds
of things to take into account when building a motor ..

As I understand it, the split manifolds of the FI trucks are actually pretty
good, a header can lose some low end torque, but the split manifolds are
just begging for a dual exhaust :)



> Does a torque converter wear out over time or
> will they outlast even the 300?

A torque converter can be damaged, and probably worn out, but not considered
a common occurance ... what brings this up ?


Just my $.02
wish

96 Mustang GT 4.6L
73ish F100 4x4 6.4L
http://www.ford-trucks.com//lc/lc.php?action=do&link=http://www.public.iastate.edu/~wish

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Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 00:34:29 EDT
From: JUMPINFORD AOL.COM
Subject: FTE Perf - Tweety's Ticker

Well folks the inevitable has happened. My lead foot combined with an old
motor has resulted in Tweety's Ticker ticking. It sounds to me like a lifter
or sumthin in the valve train has gone bad. Im gonna pull the valve covers
and take a look, also gonna try the ole ATF Fix all. But in either case, Ive
decided to buy another 460 to build up so I can just do a swap and not have
my truck down for the year my bros took. Figured Id share my baseline, and
get all of your opinions. I plan on doing the basic bottom end, Only boring
if I have to. Also plan on runnin Clevite bearings. Pistons will be TRW flat
tops to up the CR to a respectable level. Im sticking with the 73 head, so I
wont have to buy my gas at an airport. I do plan on gasket matching the
intake and exhaust, and removing the smog bumps. Im leanin towards the
Edelbrock Performer intake, but Ive also heard good stuff about the weiand
Stealth, either way Im running a Holley 650 with Vac secondaries, as I dont
need my mileage to go down to far. Im keeping the stock exhaust manifolds,
but running a dual 3 inch system, with a cross over. As far as a cam goes,
Im lookin at either Cranes Powermax (204/216 .050 with a gross lift of
.487/.518) or Comp Cams 268H series (218/218 .050 with a gross of .494/.494)
I want a lumpy idle, with good mid and top end, but I dont wanna have such a
week bottom end that I have to run a stall converter. I do have the 4.10
gears, so that helps a weak bottom end out a lil. Either cam is getting a
Cloyes Chain. I dont think Ive left anything out, so now Im askin on
feedback. Lemme know any ideas you have, or maybe even a better idea than
what I have.

Darrell Duggan
74 F-350 "Tweety"
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Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 23:59:50 -0500
From: "Robert F. Davis"
Subject: Re: FTE Perf - TFI ignition upgrade

At 08:33 PM 10/12/1999 -0500, you wrote:
> My truck is a '94 F150 300ci with 51K miles, and it stumbles under
>acceleration. Dampness makes the problem worse, and it has been
>occurring more frequently over time. I have checked/replaced all of the
>usual suspects (plugs [Bosch, gapped slightly oversize], wires [Jacobs],
>cap & rotor [AutoZone], coil [MSD Blaster], O2 sensor [Bosch], fuel
>filter, power supply to coil and fuel pumps [checks OK], bad gasoline
>[tried many different sources and grades]) and now I suspect the TFI
>module since the problem occurs when the truck should be getting the
>computer controlled equivalent of vacuum advance.
> Two questions: could a bad TFI module be the cause of this stumble,
>and does anyone know of a good aftermarket replacement module? Though
>this is by no means a high-performance truck, I'm interested in any
>upgrade that will help it drag horse trailers around. The truck is
>mechanically stock except for the aforementioned aftermarket parts.
>Thanks in advance.
>
>lordjanusz juno.com
>'94 F150 300ci
>'73 F100 FE in pieces
>
Paul,
Looks like you've covered some of the possibilities. It COULD be your TFI
module, as well as several other things. I would try some Autolite or
Motorcraft plugs to start with (my own '92 302 Bronco didn't like Bosch
plugs) since they are cheaper than a module. Make sure your EGR valve is
clean & working. Likewise check over ALL your vacuum hoses for cracks or
breaks. Be sure that your exhaust system has NO LEAKS, NONE WHAT SO EVER.
Even the tiniest exhaust leaks screw up the O2 sensor readings & will cause
lean mixtures which in turn will misfire, especially at low load cruising
times. (the same time your normal dist would be getting vacuum advance).

I finally wound up putting a MSD 6 on the Bronco to "help" this problem.
notice I only say help, NOT cure. Hope this helps.

"Beater" Bob


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