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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 10:09 PM
  #1  
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FI Combo?

OK, guys, here's the deal. I have a 1992 F150 Supercab 2WD with the 300 currently sitting at about 176K and climbing.

It looks like I've got some oil blow-by. No smoke to speak of, but it uses about a quart of oil every 3-400 miles. I haven't done a compression test yet, but I see a rebuild in my not-too-distant future.

The last one of these I had was a carbed '85, and parts were easy. This '92 is FI, and from what I understand that makes stuff more difficult.

I need help picking a budget daily-driver type combo. Money is definitely an object. Here are a few questions to get you started:

1. Should I be looking for a standard 0.30 over, or is there a better way to go?

2. What's a good daily-driver type cam? Do I use stock lifters/rockers/etc, or something else?

3. There is no emmision testing in my county currently. If money allows, what's a decent exhaust setup? Does anyone even make a header for this truck?

4. Any other tips or ricks I should know about?

Thanks in advance, guys. I don't post often, but I do read a lot.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 11:22 AM
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Hi MIkey!

Not a lot you can do with an EFI 300. The computer won't allow you to mess with the engine. An EFI 300 in and of itself is already a great daily driver engine.

What exhaust, if any, do you have on your truck currently?

What is your gear ratio and tire size?

Gear ratio's and tire size are the biggest factor in an EFI 300 pickup truck (when stock).

Glad to have you on board Mike!
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 05:00 PM
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Thanks for the welcome.

So stock rebuild is pretty much the way to go, eh?

I have no idea what the gearing in the truck is, but it's running 31x10.5x15 ATs all around.

The exhaust is totally stock, except for the tail pipe that was shortened about 18" by some rust.

For that matter, the rest of the truck is also totally stock, all the way down to the factory Ford AM/FM radio. Really, other than the little bit of blow-by and some pretty well-worn tie rod ends and ball joints in the front end, the truck is in great shape.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 05:12 PM
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Well Mike if it were me I'd rebuild it pretty much stock. If I wanted a hot rod 300 I'd go carb'd, no computer. A 300 can be built up to lift the front tires off the ground on command.

Now, there's a nice guy on here by the name of Charlie who has a built EFI 300. Actually he's built several up for power. He would be the one to go to. Hey Charlie, where are you???

Mikey, do you know how to determine what gear ratio you have?
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by 6CylBill
Well Mike if it were me I'd rebuild it pretty much stock. If I wanted a hot rod 300 I'd go carb'd, no computer. A 300 can be built up to lift the front tires off the ground on command.

Now, there's a nice guy on here by the name of Charlie who has a built EFI 300. Actually he's built several up for power. He would be the one to go to. Hey Charlie, where are you???

Mikey, do you know how to determine what gear ratio you have?
I'd like to keep the thing mostly stock for driveability, but a little bit of extra squeeze is never a bad thing. I've never done an engine rebuild, so I'll probably bring it to someone to have the work done.

I know how to spin the tires and check driveshaft rotation, but I have my left hand in a sling at the moment, so that's not a very good option. It's probably listed in the VIN or as an option code somewhere, right? Do you have a list of option codes?
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 05:32 PM
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Sorry Mike but I don't have the codes. I do have my own code though so give me your axle code anyway. I can at least tell you if you have a 3.08 gear. If you give me a different number it's almost safe to assume you would have the 3.55 gear.

What happened to your hand? Owch!
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 05:51 PM
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Thanks. Now the really dumb question: where do I find the code? Lol.

I sliced a few tendons in my wrist a couple of weeks ago, so now I get to be one-handed for a while. It's definitely inconvenient.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by 6CylBill

Now, there's a nice guy on here by the name of Charlie who has a built EFI 300. Actually he's built several up for power. He would be the one to go to. Hey Charlie, where are you???

Mikey, do you know how to determine what gear ratio you have?
ehhh? me???? I'm in the shadows
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 06:38 PM
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Welcome Mike. hope we can help ya here.a fresh 300 efi runs well, without a lot of changes. for a low budget build, I would go with what ever piston can be had with cleaning up the bores. I have a 300 here with 480,000 on it, and it's still the one that ford made.port and polish the head, do a good 3 angle valve job, mill the head enough to clean it up and put it back together, put fresh fuel injectors in it. I would use steel timing gears if you can stand the noise. crank kit, or turn the crank, that would be up to you and your budget. a 195* thermostat, and a high pressure high volume pump, and you should be happy for many years. as far as the hp efi, we're still getting there. the most recent conglomeration of parts is giving me 20 mpg, and will smoke the tires till they blow out. when happy with it, I'll do a write-up
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 06:49 PM
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Woot! Charlie is here!!

Mikey, your code is in your drive side door jam sticker. Look for the axle code and post it here please!
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 07:05 PM
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how doo Bill. did ya see this one? was making great progress till I shattered my ankle!!!1



replacing the floor and rocker panel on my 89 4x4
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 08:57 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by dustybumpers
Welcome Mike. hope we can help ya here.a fresh 300 efi runs well, without a lot of changes. for a low budget build, I would go with what ever piston can be had with cleaning up the bores. I have a 300 here with 480,000 on it, and it's still the one that ford made.port and polish the head, do a good 3 angle valve job, mill the head enough to clean it up and put it back together, put fresh fuel injectors in it. I would use steel timing gears if you can stand the noise. crank kit, or turn the crank, that would be up to you and your budget. a 195* thermostat, and a high pressure high volume pump, and you should be happy for many years. as far as the hp efi, we're still getting there. the most recent conglomeration of parts is giving me 20 mpg, and will smoke the tires till they blow out. when happy with it, I'll do a write-up
Wow, thanks for the info. Who do you recommend for the parts? I checked out Summit, and they don't seem to list much in the way of engine parts for my truck. Can you link me?

Couple questions, though:
1. What kind of noise do steel timing gears make? What are the stock gears made of?

2. What is the stock thermostat rated at? Summit sells them in 160, 180, and 195. I know you recommended 195, can you expand on that any?

3. I don't know if you can answer this, but can you give me a rough guess as to what this is going to cost me? I don't think I have the skills necessary, so I'll likely have to pay someone to do the work.

Thanks for letting me pick your brain. I look forward to hearing about that combo you mentioned earlier.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 10:22 PM
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Have your local rebuilder guestimate the price for you. IIRC the stock thermostat is 195.
 
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