Engine tune up to do's?
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Engine tune up to do's?
Ok, this is going to sound like a really dumb question to most of you but I'm a new ford owner and not sure what to do. Short of changing the oil, spark plugs, wires, distributor and flushing the coolant system, what else can I do to tune my old 460 up and get her running better? She runs good right now, I'd just like to make it run a little better.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,242
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From: Joliet, Illinois
Engine tune up to do's?
Check the freeze plugs for corrosion and change the thermostat for insurance if its 10 years old or more.
Check all the coolant hoses as oil will make them soft and prone to blowing.
Assuming it's carbureted, not fuel injected, and the fuel hoses look old enough that they might be original, change them as when they added MTBE it hardened them and they might/will start leaking when you are the furthest from someplace they will have a replacement available, also that 10 gallons will now only get you 15 miles, and the nearest gas station will be 35 miles away.
OH, and it seems that NOBODY EVER changes the brake fluid as it sucks moisture out of the air and will rust out the wheel cylinders and might cause you to lose your brakes if it gets hot enough to turn that H2O into water vapor.
Check all the coolant hoses as oil will make them soft and prone to blowing.
Assuming it's carbureted, not fuel injected, and the fuel hoses look old enough that they might be original, change them as when they added MTBE it hardened them and they might/will start leaking when you are the furthest from someplace they will have a replacement available, also that 10 gallons will now only get you 15 miles, and the nearest gas station will be 35 miles away.
OH, and it seems that NOBODY EVER changes the brake fluid as it sucks moisture out of the air and will rust out the wheel cylinders and might cause you to lose your brakes if it gets hot enough to turn that H2O into water vapor.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Coutts Canada
Engine tune up to do's?
Also the aircleaner, fuel filte (if it has a filter on the carb you should put an inline filter for insurance) battery cables (maybe the battery if its old and there acid showing its face, maybe a new high flow muffler. Other than that you have everything covered.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: Joliet, Illinois
Engine tune up to do's?
Heck, if you instaled a high flow muffler, why not go with a set of headers and a bigger exhaust system.
But then you might as well install a better manafold and carb, but don't forget to select the correct cam to make it all come together.
But then you might as well install a better manafold and carb, but don't forget to select the correct cam to make it all come together.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Kansas City, MO.
Engine tune up to do's?
Change fluids in diff, tranny. Lube the chassis. Repack and lube all bearings. Balance and rotate tires. Change out the brakes. New belts. Ruff up the pullies with an emory cloth. Did I spell emory right? These are just a few things you can do. I know breaks don't make it run better but you gotta stop some time.
Chassis lube and bearing repacks with make it ride smoother. New fluids in diff and tranny will help with power transfer and keep all moving parts cool and lubed up.
Chassis lube and bearing repacks with make it ride smoother. New fluids in diff and tranny will help with power transfer and keep all moving parts cool and lubed up.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Engine tune up to do's?
I believe that you are all overlooking some very important things, such as: pcv valve, and the crank case breather, now if it's fuel injected I would seriously be testing or just flat out changing the Oxygen sensor, as this can effect gas milege, idle quality, smoking, and throttle response. Another thing although it might not make it run better is flushing your cooling system, and adding a good fuel system cleaner to the gas.
Also get a K&N air filter for it, as it will lead to better mpg, and throttle response.
Also get a K&N air filter for it, as it will lead to better mpg, and throttle response.
Post Fiend
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From: Memphis, TN
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