Am I expecting to much???
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 52
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From: Green Bay USA
Am I expecting to much???
Hi all,
I would appreciate your opinion on this…
I had the 351w rebuilt in my ’86 F250 4x4 earlier this year. This is my weekend truck for trips to the landfill, work around the hobby farm, a rare trip up north, and pulling an occasional load of hay or horses. I only put about 1500 miles on it since April.
The truck runs OK, but has the following problems… It starts hard, the idle is VERY low to the point that it usually dies, I get bad gas mileage (I’m guessing 8 mpg), and I’m hearing some valve/lifter noise unless I run hi-octane fuel (which I don’t like to do for the above tasks).
Am I expecting too much to ask for the above problems to be solved? I realize a ’86 will never run like a ’03, but the body is good, tranny strong, truck is solid and it really is perfect for what I use if for.
My mechanic gave me a 24 month warranty with the rebuild, so please tell me what issues I should expect to be taken care of.
I should note that I had it back to the shop twice because it wouldn’t hold timing. Could that be the source of all my problems? If so what should I expect from the warranty?
Thanks for your time.
ScottyB.
I would appreciate your opinion on this…
I had the 351w rebuilt in my ’86 F250 4x4 earlier this year. This is my weekend truck for trips to the landfill, work around the hobby farm, a rare trip up north, and pulling an occasional load of hay or horses. I only put about 1500 miles on it since April.
The truck runs OK, but has the following problems… It starts hard, the idle is VERY low to the point that it usually dies, I get bad gas mileage (I’m guessing 8 mpg), and I’m hearing some valve/lifter noise unless I run hi-octane fuel (which I don’t like to do for the above tasks).
Am I expecting too much to ask for the above problems to be solved? I realize a ’86 will never run like a ’03, but the body is good, tranny strong, truck is solid and it really is perfect for what I use if for.
My mechanic gave me a 24 month warranty with the rebuild, so please tell me what issues I should expect to be taken care of.
I should note that I had it back to the shop twice because it wouldn’t hold timing. Could that be the source of all my problems? If so what should I expect from the warranty?
Thanks for your time.
ScottyB.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
I've had a somewhat similar experience. Unfortunately the new engine isn't the cure-all. With an old truck you will still find and have to deal with worn out, broken or missing components in the ignition, emissions controls and vacuum system. Things like EGR valve, EGR and air pump solenoid valves and vacuum line routing. You didn't say if your engine is carbureted or injected or which what type of ignition system you have (Dura Spark II, EEC-IV) but if you post back with that info, someone may be better able to help.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
Your not expecting too much. You paid good money, and you should have received good work in return. It may not be the motor itself, it could be other things causing you problems.
Was it just a stock rebuild, or did you update the carb, intake, ignition, etc.? What compression pistons were used?
I'd give the mechanic the opportunity to honor his warranty, and make sure he tells you what specs your motor is built to, pistons, cam card, etc. If he installed the motor, then he should have set everything up to run properly.
Was it just a stock rebuild, or did you update the carb, intake, ignition, etc.? What compression pistons were used?
I'd give the mechanic the opportunity to honor his warranty, and make sure he tells you what specs your motor is built to, pistons, cam card, etc. If he installed the motor, then he should have set everything up to run properly.
