I normally drive slow to get better gas mileage and am not sure if the van does this when driving more aggressive. Allot of the speed limits around here are 35 and 40mph and I have noticed that when letting off the gas and costing down from 40, at about 35 it almost feels like a downshift to second or it might be described as a engine break, maybe timing retarding?. Then around 30 mph it frees up and costs on down. As anyone experienced this in a late 80's van (88 e150 /302 efi). Now I don't remember if it did this or not when I first got the van but shortly after buying the van I adjusted the TV cable because it would shift into OD at 30 to 35 mph if I let off the gas. I adjusted it one notch at a time on the TV cable till now if giving it the gas to get on the freeway, it will not shift into OD till about 60 once you let off the gas a little.
It will shift to OD now and then around 45 if going down hill and coasting.
I think I need to back the adjustment off one more notch and not use OD unless on the highway... But again it doesn't feel like it is really downshifting, its more like the engine holding back..
Now if I feather the gas just a little, it doesn't do it.. If it is doing it and I lightly give it some throttle it stops. If I let back off the gas before it drops down to 30mph, it kicks back in.. Could this have something to do with ignition timing retarding or something?
The transmission seems to be shifting great and is quite firm between gears. It holds a little longer between gears then I would like due to the TV adjustment.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions..

 

Do you do anything else besides play with your van?

 

Yes I do!
Actually I haven't devoted that much time to it. I do ask allot of questions and have complied a list of things to do weather permitting. I am probably being more picky because I have no history on the van and it sat so long..
I use it to take 4 different families around to doctors appointments, school, ect. So I need to make sure it is dependable. I would hate to get 6 people 25 miles from home and have to figure out how to get them back!!
I hope to have it in top shape by spring so I can take a trip across the country..

 

using a an almost 30 year old van for this may not be the best option.

 

I think it is doing good for short trips around town so far. As i get more comfortable with it I will venture farther out.. Once I get my 85 back running, if i go across the country, maybe I should tow one for a spare!! If something major happened 3000 miles from home one would have to make a serious choice with a 30 year old van..