Not knowing what a failing CPS would do, and the loping sounds a bit funny.
Any chance the CPS is at fault?

Does the engine sound normal?

I know when my IP was going out and the timing was all over the place, I had loping, quiet and then very loud combustion sounds from the engine.

I limped it down to Huntington to pick up a new IP at the Ford dealer there.
The trip down 79 was interesting, when the timing was fast, ran like one of those apes and the noise was loud.
As the timing retarded, the power went south, the engine got quiet and some of the hills took forever to cross.

 

Ford just replaced the CPS under warranty. I still have the old one. I thought about it and slide uder and changed it back to the old one. There was no change. The old girl sure has me puzzled. If she would leave a code, it sure would help.

 

Paul.........You might want to check the screens in the tanks. Not sure if this is relevent to your case but the Sterling's I work on daily have had a lot of problems since the fuel change. The new fuel will eat the linings in the tank and gum the screens and filters up. It looks like black rubber whereit has done it. Just a brain fart...........try taking your main fuel line off the pump and blowing shop air backwards into the tank. If you have a check valve between the pump and tank go to the tank fitting. Make sure you take the fuel cap off as well to let it vent. Hope this helps!

 

A buddy of mine that has a Dodge just had to do that to his. Thanks for the idea.

 

Yeah! That new fuel is rough on the fuel system and on ya hands. They told us to wear rubber gloves at work, I said " do you think that will really help? Its dissolving the liners out of the fuel tanks, what makes you think it wont disolve a rubber glove?" I got no response.

 

If the new fuel (mandated by the government) is doing this damage, what are we going to have to do? Replace the tank with a steel one?

 

That makes sense.

Guess I am glad I didn't get one of those new plastic tanks when I replaced my rear tank.
Ford wanted to much for them anyway.

 

Believe it or not.....the steel tanks are no better for this that the "stainless" steel tanks for this. They both have the same linings in them. I honestly cant give you a good solution for this. At work we just deal with it and go on. I know its harder to just deal with it and go when its your personal truck, but we look at it like...if the freight dont move, we dont get paid! Sucks but cant do anything else about it so far. Just wondering if there is an additive to calm it down a little. We have also noticed that when we change the water/fuel seperators, that the heat from it will cause algea to grow in the bottom of the seperator also. I think the gov. made it where they add a few more harsh chemicals and more water to the fuel. WHO KNOWS!!

NOTE:::: we arent having ANY problems out of the aluminium tanks on the new trucks. We have changed some of the older rusted tanks to alum. and we've saw a change in fuel related issues with those as well. Just a thought!

 

Guess I am going to have to find some help to drop the tank and look. While there, might as well do the mod so I can put fuel into it. Wonder what an aluminun tank will cost if I have to buy one.

I am so tired of this problem. I want that push your *** back into the seat feeling again.

 

I am not having issues with my steel tanks, but they don't have any lining.

When I used to have a stock bed on, I did have issues with the tanks rusting out around the seam because I could not wash the salt off, but now with the dump bed a trip to the car wash and the salt is gone.

Never seen a stock pickup aluminum tank Paul, but they are probably out there.

 

Thats what I was thinking. I dont think Ive ever saw one either, but like you said....Im sure their out there. Crazy idea.....have you thought to take the return fuel line off and put it in a fuel can. Then either start your truck or turn the key over to get the fuel pump going to see what kind of return fuel flow you have? Or take the supply line off right after the fuel pump and see what your getting there?