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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Vacuum tuning

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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 06:14 PM
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Vacuum tuning

I've heard that you are supposed to tune the carb rich for highest vacuum, however I had trouble tuning when I tuned it leaner I got higher vacuum. That didn't seem right and I just don't want to tune it too lean. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Thanks.
 
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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 09:06 PM
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Having no idea what your working on, but all your tuning should be from manifold vacuum not carb timed port for dizzy. The carb adjustments are for fine tuning should not be overly lean or rich just highest vacuum

Orich
 
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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 09:49 PM
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Sorry I'm tuning a 360 fe in a 72 f100. I am going from manifold vacuum, but from directions I have read, people are saying to lean it out until it almost dies, which mine wont... but then to turn it rich for highest vacuum then lean a quater turn about then repeat with other screw. Well my problem is that my vacuum goes down when I tune it more rich. And tuning for highest vacuum makes it quite lean so I'm not sure why it's doing this..
 
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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 09:59 PM
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If engine won't die when carb air/fuel jets are screwed all the way in the power valve is bad.
If that what your saying. Plus have you checked that the vacuum advance can is good and not sucking air.
Orich
 
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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 10:10 PM
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Oh okay... the carb must be removed to replace the power valve, correct? Also, how to I check the vacuum advance can? Thanks
 
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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 10:19 PM
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The redneck way is by sucking on the rubber hose pulled off at the carb. It should hold a vacuum once you suck all the air out. But if you just keep sucking air then it's bad.

Or buy a hand held vac pump tester..
Orich
 
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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 10:25 PM
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Okay thanks. I've been looking at symptoms of a bad power valve and I think that might be the problem.
 
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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 11:41 PM
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Good time to rebuild the carb anyway.
Please report back alter you fix it.
Orich
 
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Old Jul 14, 2015 | 08:09 PM
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Did the power valve. Still get pops through the carb... the old one looked worn but I didn't see any holes. I'm thinking jets. I looked and I have size 54 jets and I think I'm going to try down sizing my jets but I don't know how far down to go. I think I was told once 51 to 54? Buy idk how far down to try.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2015 | 08:49 PM
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is your fast idle screw turned to far in ? holding the plates open so it's feeding off the primarys instead of idle circuit
 
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Old Jul 14, 2015 | 09:15 PM
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Oh hmmm I wonder. I'm not sure. How do I tell?
 
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Old Jul 14, 2015 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by chiefsfootball
Did the power valve. Still get pops through the carb... the old one looked worn but I didn't see any holes. I'm thinking jets. I looked and I have size 54 jets and I think I'm going to try down sizing my jets but I don't know how far down to go. I think I was told once 51 to 54? Buy idk how far down to try.
#54 is what a f100 360 should be, A f250 c/s run #56 360 A little more gas to the trucks doing towing & such.. Jetting is for sea level

Re-Jetting an engine leaner the higher the elevations you get, iirrc it's two sizes smaller per every 2000 ft elv.

Old skool jump 3 sizes if then lean come back one or the other way that would be one larger.. Then go one size at a time as you should be close or right on.
orich
 
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Old Jul 14, 2015 | 09:27 PM
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.....another reason I'm glad I'm (eventually) swapping to Ford EFI. It automatically tunes itself for all weather changes, relative humidity, air density and changes in altitude. No jets to change, no fuel bowls/air horns to remove, no floats to adjust, no spilled fuel on the intake/engine ...or on you and no tools involved for these adjustments to take place. ....in the meantime though, I still have to deal with a carburetor.

Some of the science behind carburetor settings.

Density Altitude Tuning - How To Tune For Changing Weather Conditions - Hot Rod Magazine
 
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Old Jul 14, 2015 | 10:06 PM
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If their was a EFI setup for a FE that had a dizzy that adjusted the timing as needed. Plus a knock sensor, I'd buy it.

But to is day no one has put together one on the market.

Was told they could use the small late dizzy from the efi 5.0 with a FE housing. They know what to use but not enough market yet for it...May be never tho.

Orich
 
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Old Jul 15, 2015 | 09:15 AM
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sorry i goofed , that should have read idle screw not fast idle ( i was up at 4am yesterday for work)

anyways check your throttle plates (look down carb ) they should be closed . If they are open even a little then your idle screw is turned to far in and holding them open . crank the idle screw out till they close and reset your idle mixture screws to like 2 turns out this will give you a good starting point , i like to use 2 Vacuum gauges 1 on manifold 1 on timed , so you can get max vacuum on the manifold with 0 on the timed gauge (or close to it)
 
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