No Guts
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From: Clearfield
No Guts
I bought a 93 Ford F150 extended cab XLT wit a 5.8L and a E4OD transmision to pull my boat. Was assured it had enough power to tow a 21.5 ft 4000 lb boat. First time towing it I was reduced to 30 MPH with my foot to the floor going up hills. There was absolutly nothing there. So I took the truck back to the dealer and complained. They changed the fuel filter, wires, plugs, rotor and ditributer cap. Found out all were original as the wires had 1993 stamped on them. Fuel filter was clogged and old plugs gaped at 70. Thought I was good to go, but still no power
. My brother in-law pulls a 25 foot boat with a 350 in a Tahoe and has no trouble pulling away from me. Can't have a Chevy outdoing me any Ideas?
Wes
. My brother in-law pulls a 25 foot boat with a 350 in a Tahoe and has no trouble pulling away from me. Can't have a Chevy outdoing me any Ideas?Wes
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From: Clearfield
No Guts
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Nov-02 AT 10:35 PM (EST)]Certificate Label has a 19 under the axle column which according to this sight http://www.drivetrain.com/Fordtrkratio_posidata.html is a 3.55 gear ratio.
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No Guts
I recently switched from chevy to ford due to prices of trucks here in north carolina, and was also disappointed. My 4.3L blazer pulled my 21 ft boat as well as my 302 in this ford. But with a few aftermarket mods, such as a new exhaust and air filter, you'll be screaming along. You have to remember, the engines in fords aren't built for power at all, but reliability (Ford 302 200hp, Chevy 4.3L v-6 190hp). We have to find a common ground between reliability and performance.
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From: washington
No Guts
Well to start with you can't compare horse power numbers on the ford and chevy. The both use different systems and chevy tends to be higher than normal while ford tends to be lower. For instance the 1987 mustang gt was advertised by ford as having 190 hp. When I a friend put it on a dyno (stock in 1987) it put out 218. Quite the difference!
As far as towing goes it is all in the gearing. If you have a 5sp or a AOD throw some 4.11's in it. If you have a C-6 then you may have to be looking at a gear splitter.
If it has the stock exhaust then it is probably time for a new system. The exhausts were not known for lasting and the cat is probably plugged.
As far as towing goes it is all in the gearing. If you have a 5sp or a AOD throw some 4.11's in it. If you have a C-6 then you may have to be looking at a gear splitter.
If it has the stock exhaust then it is probably time for a new system. The exhausts were not known for lasting and the cat is probably plugged.
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From: Clearfield
No Guts
Ok Cats check good, fuel pressure is fine, injectors were power cleaned. Engine hooked to an analizer and check good, compression is 140-150. Motor blows no smoke or burns any oil. Put new plugs wires and points in, new O2 sensor, new fuel filter still no power and bad gas milage. Engine is a 351 with an E4OD trans and a 3.55 rearend, truck has 140,000 miles.
Now what any ideas?
wkato
Now what any ideas?
wkato
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From: San Diego
No Guts
4000 lbs. is a lot to tow around. That's what the 4.10 rear end is all about. If you are pulling boats out of the water you also want the limited slip spring put into the differential (if not already there).
I stand in amazement at the boat ramp watching $45,000 shiny trucks with jacked up suspensions spinning one of their rear wheels and going nowhere. Last week I saw a shiny dually truck spinning both wheels on one side. If the salespersons were doing their jobs, anything pulling a trailer would have a limited slip differential.
As for your power problem, check the vacuum on top of the manifold. You must have at least 20", 21" is even better. Less and your engine will be gutless.
Tell us what you find.
Regards, Robert.
I stand in amazement at the boat ramp watching $45,000 shiny trucks with jacked up suspensions spinning one of their rear wheels and going nowhere. Last week I saw a shiny dually truck spinning both wheels on one side. If the salespersons were doing their jobs, anything pulling a trailer would have a limited slip differential.
As for your power problem, check the vacuum on top of the manifold. You must have at least 20", 21" is even better. Less and your engine will be gutless.
Tell us what you find.
Regards, Robert.
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From: Topsfield, MA
No Guts
What size tires? If you have tires of 32" or larger, that would be what your problem is...way too high of gearing. Also, a limited slip differential is a lot more involved then just adding a spring. You need to change the whole carrier.
Last edited by MustangGT221; Jul 12, 2003 at 03:28 PM.
Tuned
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No Guts
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Robert at the Beach
[B]4000 lbs. is a lot to tow around. That's what the 4.10 rear end is all about. If you are pulling boats out of the water you also want the limited slip spring put into the differential (if not already there).
If you can't pull 4000 lbs decent then you do have a problem. I have a 95' with the 5.0L HO and 3:55's. I can pull our 4200lb westcraft with no problem. Downshifts allot, but I can hold 70 MPH. You should be able to pull 7-8K with that set up. Is your tranny downshifting properly??
[B]4000 lbs. is a lot to tow around. That's what the 4.10 rear end is all about. If you are pulling boats out of the water you also want the limited slip spring put into the differential (if not already there).
If you can't pull 4000 lbs decent then you do have a problem. I have a 95' with the 5.0L HO and 3:55's. I can pull our 4200lb westcraft with no problem. Downshifts allot, but I can hold 70 MPH. You should be able to pull 7-8K with that set up. Is your tranny downshifting properly??
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From: Clearfield
No Guts
Even if I down shift manually it still doesn't matter. Tires are alittle bigger than stock but that won't rob this much power.
Could the Torque converter be related to this problem? Don't notice any slip, Engine RPM stay normal when pulling. What would be a noticeable problem if torque converter was bad.
wkato
Could the Torque converter be related to this problem? Don't notice any slip, Engine RPM stay normal when pulling. What would be a noticeable problem if torque converter was bad.
wkato
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From: San Diego
No Guts
'88 302 F250 4x4, 4.10 ls rear end, 5sp manual, 31" Duelers will tow my wimpy #2500 boat around like it (almost) isn't even there, even up moderate grades in 5th, but then I keep it under 65 when towing, too.
Minimal strain on the drivetrain means this rig should be around for a good long time.
Wkato: have you checked manifold vacuum yet?
Regards, Robert.
Minimal strain on the drivetrain means this rig should be around for a good long time.
Wkato: have you checked manifold vacuum yet?
Regards, Robert.