89 Econoline
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
89 Econoline
I have an 89 conversion van with the 300/6. It runs well and is very dependable. However, it seems to be a real dog on power. It has a three speed automatic transmission. Most 6 cylinders I've had were in trucks with the manual tranny. The difference in power with this automatic is surprising. I've had very worn out 300/6s produce more power than I am getting with this van. I also only get 15mpg. The same engine in a truck with a stick shift would get me 20+. I know it isn't the weight of the van because I had a 75 van years ago that had a 6 cylinder with a stick shift, and it got 20+ mpg too. Is it because the 300/6 with auto tranny just isn't a good combination? I would think this van should get better gas mileage and have more power. I'd be scared to hitch the thing up to my 14 ft boat 'cause I don't know if the van could pull it and the trailer out of the water.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Is the transmission slipping, is the torque converter good, has the rear end ratio been changed, is the catalytic converter good, are the tires and wheels the right size, are the injectors good, the oxy sensor, egr, fuel pumps and filters can cause it to dog out. I have a 89 too.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
No trouble with anything related to the tranny. Don't know about the rear end ratio, but I doubt it's been changed. Nover thought about the CC, but I've had them go bad in other vehicles. This thing isn't running like that could be the problem. It's going to the shop on Tues. for a complete tune up, so I hope that takes care of it.
Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
I take it this is an E150, right? What kind of conversion was it? What I mean is this: Is it just a top and fancy rear seating, or does it have a sink and waste tanks, or anything like that.
I'm wondering about the weight. It may not be the whole problem, but if she's carrying more, along with a high top, that'll bring the mileage down.
Edit: Sorry, re-read it and you don't think weight is the issue. If she's really ******* I would look for something plugging exhaust flow first and that would be the catalytic.
I'm wondering about the weight. It may not be the whole problem, but if she's carrying more, along with a high top, that'll bring the mileage down.
Edit: Sorry, re-read it and you don't think weight is the issue. If she's really ******* I would look for something plugging exhaust flow first and that would be the catalytic.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
You guys might be on to something with the CC. It's possible that it's not clogged but restricted a little. The only thing with it being the CC is that any other time I've had trouble with a CC it manifested itself either through the vehicle not being able to go very fast, dying a lot when idling, or the CC getting red hot (had that happen on an 82 Grand Marquis that almost caught on fire because of it). I will ask the mechanic who is giving it a tune up to do what he can to check it out. Back in the olden days I would just run a rod through the thing or get someone from an exhsust shop to cut the thing out. Can't do that anymore, thanks to Uncle Sam. I'm hoping that it isn't a problem with the CC though. Them things ain't cheap.
Junior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Could be the CC or, it could be a simple as a kink in the exhaust somewhere. Does it look like your tailpipe position has moved? Where it comes out from under the car? That could indicate a bent exhaust. It happens sometimes.
Also depending on the type of conversion you have, she may be a little heavier, and a little taller than your usual 150. She may still not get the mileage you expect, even after she's back to normal. I have a 250 that weighs almost 7000.
Also depending on the type of conversion you have, she may be a little heavier, and a little taller than your usual 150. She may still not get the mileage you expect, even after she's back to normal. I have a 250 that weighs almost 7000.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, OH
I just bought an 88 E350 utility body. It has the 351w with a c6. I'm coming from an F250 300I6 with the zf5. The 350 feels like a dog compared to the 250. I think its a combination of the c6 verses the 5 speed and the weight. I read somewhere on this site the c6 robs 60 hp. If you have a 3 speed auto chances are you have the c6. I've also heard the I6 doesn't do good in an auto in trucks either.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
FWIW.
I had an 89 F150 with the 300 and a 4 SPD for 22 years. It never got 20 MPG. More like 15. I believe the early 80's were more fuel efficient.
I had an 89 F150 with the 300 and a 4 SPD for 22 years. It never got 20 MPG. More like 15. I believe the early 80's were more fuel efficient.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
Hmmmm. I had an 89 F150 and it got 20+mpg. Mine had a 5 speed though.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
Well, the van is at the mechanic's getting a complete tune up. Any way ya look at it, that should help.
I got to thinkin about something last night. Let's say that there isn't anything wrong with the engine or tranny in this van and it's just running the way it's supposed to run. I don't know what rear end the van currently has, but wouldn't changing the rear end make a difference? I've seen F250s with a six cylinder and an automatic that have all kinds of power, especially pulling power. What if I got a rear end out of one of those trucks and had it installed on this van? I know that one axle would be five lugs and the other eight, but I could live with that.
I got to thinkin about something last night. Let's say that there isn't anything wrong with the engine or tranny in this van and it's just running the way it's supposed to run. I don't know what rear end the van currently has, but wouldn't changing the rear end make a difference? I've seen F250s with a six cylinder and an automatic that have all kinds of power, especially pulling power. What if I got a rear end out of one of those trucks and had it installed on this van? I know that one axle would be five lugs and the other eight, but I could live with that.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Rockport, IN
The van is supposed to be ready today. The weather got a bit goofy around here this week, so the mechanic wasn't able to get the parts until late yesterday. I will be glad to have it back. As fate would have it, my Chevy is now acting up so the wife and I are stuck sharing her car and it ain't no fun.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
C4? in an 89? Don't think so... The C6 was a super common transmission for these vans behind any engines, but especially behind the 6cyl!
3.08 gearing sounds right for it. I have 3.55 in my C6 300 straight 6 F150, tons of power, but 11mpg on the highway isn't funny...!
I also have a 300 5 speed F150 with 3.55 also, wow the power that had! Untill I busted my rear end....
3.08 gearing sounds right for it. I have 3.55 in my C6 300 straight 6 F150, tons of power, but 11mpg on the highway isn't funny...!
I also have a 300 5 speed F150 with 3.55 also, wow the power that had! Untill I busted my rear end....