ford 360 super low idle
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 27
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From: Las Vegas, NV
ford 360 super low idle
Hello FTE, I recently installed a tach on my truck, and according to it my engine is idling at around 200 rpm when in gear. 500 or so when in park/neutral. I also can't get it to rev past 4k, but I think that might be more or less normal for these engines. Is this possible? Or did I screw up installing the tach? It has a 360 V8 with a 4v carb, headers, and dual exhaust. Its a pretty worn out motor.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 620
You've got something messed up. Most aftermarket tachometers have a 4-6-8 selector switch. I'd almost bet, your switch is sitting on 4-cyl.
Now, a 4000 RPM redline isn't out of line for a pickup spec FE. That part, I can completely believe.
Now, a 4000 RPM redline isn't out of line for a pickup spec FE. That part, I can completely believe.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Depends on the tach gauge, of course, but at low RPMs my experience was they weren't all that accurate. That being said, if you had the switch on 4 or 6 cylinders, it would read HIGHER not lower. So if you had the tach set to 4 cylinders and the tach says 4000RPM, your 8-cylinder would only be turning 2000RPM.
Sounds to me like the timing slipped and it's running very retarded right now. That would explain the low idle, and the lack of revving after the mechanical advance is "all in" at around 3500RPMs.
Make sure the ring on the dampener didn't spin either - that'll throw off your timing measurements.
Sounds to me like the timing slipped and it's running very retarded right now. That would explain the low idle, and the lack of revving after the mechanical advance is "all in" at around 3500RPMs.
Make sure the ring on the dampener didn't spin either - that'll throw off your timing measurements.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Hello FTE, I recently installed a tach on my truck, and according to it my engine is idling at around 200 rpm when in gear. 500 or so when in park/neutral. I also can't get it to rev past 4k, but I think that might be more or less normal for these engines. Is this possible? Or did I screw up installing the tach? It has a 360 V8 with a 4v carb, headers, and dual exhaust. Its a pretty worn out motor.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
I don't know of any neighbors with a timing light, and I've never used one. I think what's happening is my tach is off, even though its brand new.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 27
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Depends on the tach gauge, of course, but at low RPMs my experience was they weren't all that accurate. That being said, if you had the switch on 4 or 6 cylinders, it would read HIGHER not lower. So if you had the tach set to 4 cylinders and the tach says 4000RPM, your 8-cylinder would only be turning 2000RPM.
Sounds to me like the timing slipped and it's running very retarded right now. That would explain the low idle, and the lack of revving after the mechanical advance is "all in" at around 3500RPMs.
Make sure the ring on the dampener didn't spin either - that'll throw off your timing measurements.
Sounds to me like the timing slipped and it's running very retarded right now. That would explain the low idle, and the lack of revving after the mechanical advance is "all in" at around 3500RPMs.
Make sure the ring on the dampener didn't spin either - that'll throw off your timing measurements.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 27
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From: Las Vegas, NV
there was a spot that said, "tach" on my ignition coil that I hooked it up to. there was already a wire coming out of it going to my distributor though. I don't know if that's normal.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
Depends on the tach gauge, of course, but at low RPMs my experience was they weren't all that accurate. That being said, if you had the switch on 4 or 6 cylinders, it would read HIGHER not lower. So if you had the tach set to 4 cylinders and the tach says 4000RPM, your 8-cylinder would only be turning 2000RPM.
Sounds to me like the timing slipped and it's running very retarded right now. That would explain the low idle, and the lack of revving after the mechanical advance is "all in" at around 3500RPMs.
Make sure the ring on the dampener didn't spin either - that'll throw off your timing measurements.
Sounds to me like the timing slipped and it's running very retarded right now. That would explain the low idle, and the lack of revving after the mechanical advance is "all in" at around 3500RPMs.
Make sure the ring on the dampener didn't spin either - that'll throw off your timing measurements.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 620
I've had mixed results with cheap *** tachs. The cheap *** summit house brand one I've got in my 75 F250 exhibits some of the same behavior yours does. I have the *same* tach in my 70 CJ5, and it's never given me a lick of trouble.
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