Is this normal?
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Sweden
Is this normal?
I've got an '87 E150 van with a fuel injected 302. It's a well loved camper van (fantastic Sportsmobile pop-up top). The top only adds about 2" to the roof height when retracted, but it does weigh probably another 400 lbs or so over normal empty weight due to equipment inside.
It's always been a total dog on the road; not only in acceleration, but top speed flat out is 65-70, and dropping from 3rd to 2nd might get 75 out of.
There's no surging or any difference when the engine's hot/cold. I drive @ normal altitude. Is this performance expected, or is there something I should be looking at?
It's always been a total dog on the road; not only in acceleration, but top speed flat out is 65-70, and dropping from 3rd to 2nd might get 75 out of.
There's no surging or any difference when the engine's hot/cold. I drive @ normal altitude. Is this performance expected, or is there something I should be looking at?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
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What kinda miles are on it?
What is your rear gear ratio?
You could pull the codes or go to autozone and they would pull them for free and see if anything pops up. Stock 302 or351w engines for that matter, weren't exactly powerhouses IMO. Good luck
What is your rear gear ratio?
You could pull the codes or go to autozone and they would pull them for free and see if anything pops up. Stock 302 or351w engines for that matter, weren't exactly powerhouses IMO. Good luck
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 602
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From: Huntersville
Has it had a good tune up lately? Like JW said though it's a great engine but that van is like pushing a piece of plywood down the road sideways. not exackly contoured for performance or economy lol. A set of gears might be your best bet. if the van was'nt set up to be a conversion van from the factory it might have 3.25 gears or worse in it. A set of 3.5's might help to some extent.
Clint
Clint
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From: Sweden
Only 140k miles. I've actually had the van for a few yrs, it hasn't changed, and I've checked the codes before (though not recently). I've done lots of work with brakes, alternator, power steering pump, etc so I'm quite familiar with the vehicle, though I don't know the rear end ratio.
Interesting about the rear end ratio, someone else I talked to had mentioned it. Would that help? It seemed like the engine was only slightly better in 2nd, which suggests the power just won't be there regardless of the rpm. Changing the rear end ratio is just a gear ratio like transmission gear, isn't it?
Well, it was born in the age when 55 was the universal speed limit. Its performance isn't too unreasonable at 55.
Do performance mods further kill the gas mileage? The valve cover gaskets are leaking, and shops gave me a $700 figure, probably due to the transverse engine mounting. It's such a cool van I could almost imagine getting a crate engine to give it new life instead of just fixing those gaskets.
Interesting about the rear end ratio, someone else I talked to had mentioned it. Would that help? It seemed like the engine was only slightly better in 2nd, which suggests the power just won't be there regardless of the rpm. Changing the rear end ratio is just a gear ratio like transmission gear, isn't it?
Well, it was born in the age when 55 was the universal speed limit. Its performance isn't too unreasonable at 55.
Do performance mods further kill the gas mileage? The valve cover gaskets are leaking, and shops gave me a $700 figure, probably due to the transverse engine mounting. It's such a cool van I could almost imagine getting a crate engine to give it new life instead of just fixing those gaskets.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
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There may still be a tag on your rear end, there should be a code on it, if so, post it on this website and someone can decipher it for you. Usually its best to have someone with the correct tools and experience install your ring and pinion, due to the fact its easy to do it incorrectly. The labor in some cases can get costly but it really depends on where you live and/or who you know. Sometimes its much easier just to pick up an entire rear end from a junkyard with the gear ratio you want and just swap them out, other than the bulk of the rear end its not a difficult task, IMO. Then again its a guess as to the miles on the junkyard rear end. Its a thought though. Obviously you should figure out your ratio fist.
You could always add a better head or camshaft, either would pick up the low end torque if you select the right one but you would probably lose mpg in the process. Let us know what you find out about your rear end ratio.
You could always add a better head or camshaft, either would pick up the low end torque if you select the right one but you would probably lose mpg in the process. Let us know what you find out about your rear end ratio.
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