Timing / Power
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Timing / Power
I have a 1989 E150, 5.8L C6 and 3:55 gears.
It is used mostly for towing a 18ft camp trailer... about 3500 to 4000 lbs.
The van pulls fine around town. seems to get up to speed ok. Once on the highway. I run out of throttle. If i come to even a slight hill it really lacks power.
Even without the trailer. if i get out of town where the speed limit hits 70. It will bearly do it.
I've replaced plugs, wires, cap and rotor. many times over the years. also has new high flow exhaust including CAT. New fuel filter, air filter. ign coil and module.
Lately I've been playing with the timing. It was set to spec.(10 btdc) and yes i pulled the little thingy to set the timing. I bumped it to 12. then 15, now 20. No Pinging, Idle smoothed out, hesitation off the line-gone. seems to have more power.
How far can i go? Why isn't this thing Pinging. PS. does not have a knock sensor.
It is used mostly for towing a 18ft camp trailer... about 3500 to 4000 lbs.
The van pulls fine around town. seems to get up to speed ok. Once on the highway. I run out of throttle. If i come to even a slight hill it really lacks power.
Even without the trailer. if i get out of town where the speed limit hits 70. It will bearly do it.
I've replaced plugs, wires, cap and rotor. many times over the years. also has new high flow exhaust including CAT. New fuel filter, air filter. ign coil and module.
Lately I've been playing with the timing. It was set to spec.(10 btdc) and yes i pulled the little thingy to set the timing. I bumped it to 12. then 15, now 20. No Pinging, Idle smoothed out, hesitation off the line-gone. seems to have more power.
How far can i go? Why isn't this thing Pinging. PS. does not have a knock sensor.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Easton,Ks
Pull the SPOUT out and check the timing mark, put the SPOUT shorting bar back in with it running and see if the timing changes any. If does not change any then you have an open SPOUT wire or the Computer is not changing the timing (bad computer?).
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From: So California
I have an 87 E-250 with a 302. Mine runs the best at about 13 BTDC. I noticed that it wasn't getting as much power as I thought that it used to.
I wedged a rod against the foot feed for the accelerator to get full throttle and then looked at the butterflies in the throttle body. They were only opening about 3/4 of the way. Cable stretched over the years. I used a large zip tie around the cable where it connects at the foot feed and got it to open all the way. Big difference. Check that out if you haven't already.
I wedged a rod against the foot feed for the accelerator to get full throttle and then looked at the butterflies in the throttle body. They were only opening about 3/4 of the way. Cable stretched over the years. I used a large zip tie around the cable where it connects at the foot feed and got it to open all the way. Big difference. Check that out if you haven't already.
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I checked the timing. It's seems to be working properly. I had it set at 19'. It retards at start up and i got about 40' of full advance. I backed the timing down to 15' (w/ the spout pulled).
I'll check the throttle cable next.
I'll check the throttle cable next.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
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From: SE Florida
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Got to tinker with the van yesterday. I thought maybe my balancer had slipped. Looking at it was old and crusty, the rubber was cracked. So i got a new one...NOT IT. timing was the same. Next i looked at the throttle plates, (even thou I replaced the cable last year, due to sticking). Well lookie there... only about 75%. I think it may be due to the thick carpet. I tried to find a good way to fix it, to no luck. i went with zip tie method, of "1FORREST1".
I still don't understand why It seem to, start run and drive better at 20btdc then at 10.
If i set my 69 mustang to that, it would ping and back fire through the carb and be a mother to start. I dont get it...
I think i'll leave it at 15 and call it good.... Thanks for all the input.
I still don't understand why It seem to, start run and drive better at 20btdc then at 10.
If i set my 69 mustang to that, it would ping and back fire through the carb and be a mother to start. I dont get it...
I think i'll leave it at 15 and call it good.... Thanks for all the input.
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