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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

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Old May 24, 2024 | 11:06 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by diggerrigger
I would suggest putting a timing light on it per the instruction label on the radiator support. See where it is set and if it advances. If it has TFI, ECM controlled ignition it may very well be stuck at base timing. That's easily a recipe for 7-9 mpg.

Proper spark advance might wake up the "mild" cam.
also to state, my truck was originally the i6 300 with a 3 speed manual with 2.75 in the rear, I might off on the rear gearing it’s been awhile since I checked what it had from the factory, but now I have a 302 that’s been bored 30 over and some mystery cam was put in it, but behind the 302 it’s the semi rare rts 4 speed tremec which was a factory option for f150s that had the 302 in 1985, then I have a 8.8 with 3.27s in the rear.
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 01:14 PM
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Need clarification.
You said you had the stock ignition system in it.
And that you had put a new ICU on it.
That means that you or the previous owner has not done the DS2 swap?
If you are still running a stock distributor with the ICU, that is a "Lot" of your problems.
Also do you still have the catalytic converter on? If so, it is probably clogged and needs to be removed so your engine can breathe....

 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 02:20 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Timehunter
Need clarification.
You said you had the stock ignition system in it.
And that you had put a new ICU on it.
That means that you or the previous owner has not done the DS2 swap?
If you are still running a stock distributor with the ICU, that is a "Lot" of your problems.
Also do you still have the catalytic converter on? If so, it is probably clogged and needs to be removed so your engine can breathe....
no emission equipment on the truck, the new the icu I bought is a duraspark 2 ignition unit, ford just called them ICU, it’s the correct unit for my truck since it has the carb on it, my truck has all the equipment that it came with from the factory but has been replaced since it was old, I installed a new distributor, ignition coil and ICU/duraspark 2, after installing all those my fuel mileage did improve some but there is still something not right.
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 02:22 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Timehunter
Need clarification.
You said you had the stock ignition system in it.
And that you had put a new ICU on it.
That means that you or the previous owner has not done the DS2 swap?
If you are still running a stock distributor with the ICU, that is a "Lot" of your problems.
Also do you still have the catalytic converter on? If so, it is probably clogged and needs to be removed so your engine can breathe....
my truck has all the equipment a 1985 302 would’ve came with if it had a carb on it other than the emission equipment
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 02:51 PM
  #20  
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Pretty sure all 1985 5.0 trucks, carbed or EFI, had TFI ignition.

Does the module you installed look like this?



 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 02:55 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by diggerrigger
Pretty sure all 1985 5.0 trucks, carbed or EFI, had TFI ignition.

Does the module you installed look like this?
No, like I stated before I the ICU/duraspark 2 systems
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 02:56 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by diggerrigger
Pretty sure all 1985 5.0 trucks, carbed or EFI, had TFI ignition.

Does the module you installed look like this?
that would be the duraspark 3/eecm ignition system
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 02:58 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by diggerrigger
Pretty sure all 1985 5.0 trucks, carbed or EFI, had TFI ignition.

Does the module you installed look like this?
I will post pictures when I get my truck back from the body shop. I have the duraspark system that plugs into my factory harness and then runs to my motor which splits into two different harnesses which runs to my ignition coil then to my distributor, the system is set up correctly as a duraspark 2 system should be
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 05:31 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by Bullyfrd85
my truck has all the equipment a 1985 302 would’ve came with if it had a carb on it other than the emission equipment
If you have Duraspark II that would be as a 1983 truck with 302 came from the factory. Possibly also a very early '84.

Even so, the timing could be stuck. Pop the cap off and grab the rotor. Make sure it turns back and forth easily. The centrifugal weights could be binding.
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Bullyfrd85
my truck has all the equipment a 1985 302 would’ve came with if it had a carb on it other than the emission equipment

As mentioned by others, the Duraspark II is your best choice for your formerly I-6 equipped truck.

Even so, the timing could be stuck. Pop the cap off and grab the rotor. Make sure it turns back and forth easily. The centrifugal weights could be binding.
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 07:14 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by diggerrigger
As mentioned by others, the Duraspark II is your best choice for your formerly I-6 equipped truck.

Even so, the timing could be stuck. Pop the cap off and grab the rotor. Make sure it turns back and forth easily. The centrifugal weights could be binding.
ive checked already, my distributor is good and is also new, the guy that put this all together put the duraspark system on to my truck, it’s hooked right like it would’ve came if it was from say 1981 with a 302
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 07:16 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by diggerrigger
As mentioned by others, the Duraspark II is your best choice for your formerly I-6 equipped truck.

Even so, the timing could be stuck. Pop the cap off and grab the rotor. Make sure it turns back and forth easily. The centrifugal weights could be binding.
I know the setup I currently have wouldn’t have been stock for 1985, my setup is like older models, that’s why I’m having a hard time figuring out the MPG issue, older 302s with the same setup got way better mpg than this, I’m think it probably the carb, the ignition system is correct
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 08:02 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Bullyfrd85
I know the setup I currently have wouldn’t have been stock for 1985, my setup is like older models, that’s why I’m having a hard time figuring out the MPG issue, older 302s with the same setup got way better mpg than this, I’m think it probably the carb, the ignition system is correct
Some people have had good results with the chinese knock off carbs. I think it can be hit and miss. Looking on Amazon I see multiple versions of the 2150. The one I happened to look at had a note, frequently returned item. I gambled once on a chinese carb for a gas weedeater. It was cheap but it only ran correctly a few times and then crapped out. I gave up on it and went battery powered weed whacker.

Getting an original nonfeedback Motorcraft carb would be my preference and rebuilding it if needed would be my choice. I see some are available on ebay.

Also what jet size are you using? Are you at sea level or drive in the Rocky mountains?
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 08:20 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by BigBlue2
Some people have had good results with the chinese knock off carbs. I think it can be hit and miss. Looking on Amazon I see multiple versions of the 2150. The one I happened to look at had a note, frequently returned item. I gambled once on a chinese carb for a gas weedeater. It was cheap but it only ran correctly a few times and then crapped out. I gave up on it and went battery powered weed whacker.

Getting an original nonfeedback Motorcraft carb would be my preference and rebuilding it if needed would be my choice. I see some are available on ebay.

Also what jet size are you using? Are you at sea level or drive in the Rocky mountains?
im at about 1000 for my altitude, and I have not torn in the carb yet, and honestly I couldn’t tell you what jets are in it if I did take it apart, I’m not very knowledgeable on carbs, and carb building.
 
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Old May 24, 2024 | 10:39 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Bullyfrd85
im at about 1000 for my altitude, and I have not torn in the carb yet, and honestly I couldn’t tell you what jets are in it if I did take it apart, I’m not very knowledgeable on carbs, and carb building.
It's probably not your issue. Some have relocated to higher elevation with low elevation jets which can lead to crappy mpgs. Have you looked at Gary's garagemahal site for info on the 2150? He probably has a section on it. I know he has a section for the YF and YFA single bartel carbs. Take a look see.
 
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