1996 Ford Bronco
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Philadelphia, PA
1996 Ford Bronco
I have a 1996 Ford Bronco 5.0 EFI with almost 150k miles on it. Lately it seems to lack power. I really don't feel any real power until i get it going 40 mph or so. What are some low cost solutions i can look into? Could it be some dirty parts? I heard a mass air sensor can get dirty and mess with power...is this true...Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
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From: Bend,OR
start with the basics. tune, fuel filter that sort of thing. the 302 is pretty underpowered anyways in such a heavy rig. you can throw lots of money at it and not see the best results other then an empty wallet. I did a 351w swap and was the best increase in hp an trq. but like i said start at the basics making sure the motor is running properly . then come back and we can talk further.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend,OR
alrighty well here it goes. first major restriction is the exhaust. so a good set of headers and hi flow cat to flowmaster then out stock location. this pipe can be 2.5 or 3" what ever you prefer. then a drop in K&N filter, 58mm throttlebody , edelbrock efi truck intake would all be good bolt on mods. upgrade the ignition with an msd box and coil. after that look into getting a chip or you can also regear to 4.10's
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Philadelphia, PA
That all sounds great, but I just want to get what I currently have running up to par. I can't afford to really upgrade much and I don't need it to be a beast right now...just need it to run better. I do know it used to have more power and latley it is lacking...The throttle body was cleaned the air filter is pretty new...any other ideas?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
well the 150k miles isnt helpen ya much ya know. have you done a tune up . new plug wires (ford 9mm) , autolite plugs (cheap copper), new cap & Rotor then check timing?
it should be set at 10* btdc with spout removed. if things like this have already been done i dont know what else to tell ya. my motor had that many miles on it to before i tossed it for the 351w.
it should be set at 10* btdc with spout removed. if things like this have already been done i dont know what else to tell ya. my motor had that many miles on it to before i tossed it for the 351w.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
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From: Loveland, CO.
If you have qa 302 and it is properly tuned, it still won't have all that much power for the heavy truck.
You can try advancing the timing as far as it will go without detonation; if you are willing to put Super in it all the time you can advance it a little farther.
It will definitely give the truck a little more pep.
You can try advancing the timing as far as it will go without detonation; if you are willing to put Super in it all the time you can advance it a little farther.
It will definitely give the truck a little more pep.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Corinth, TX
there are lots of mods you can do to help performance, but the tune-up is a must if it hasn't been done recently. The mass-air meter is basically just a tube with a little element in it to measure airflow. that element *might* get dirty, but if that's the case you'll probably notice smellier exhaust and boggy acceleration as well as poor gas mileage due to a rich condition. Pull your codes. There should be one in there if you're running lean or rich. If there is, then think about the Mass Air meter. if not, move on to other things first. Pull a couple of your sparkplugs and see what they look like. Runing rich for awhile will foul the plugs pretty bad. If all else fails, get a chiltons manual and go through the checkups and maintenance routines.
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Thanks for the replies. I had it tuned up not too long ago so the spark plugs and wires are all nice and new. I know I'm not gonna get top performance out of it at this point, but I know there must be things to do.
I am a novice when it comes to a lot of things dealing with cars so please excuse my in-experience...
How do I go about checking and advancing timing?
How do I go about pulling the codes?
Thanks agian
I am a novice when it comes to a lot of things dealing with cars so please excuse my in-experience...
How do I go about checking and advancing timing?
How do I go about pulling the codes?
Thanks agian
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 1
From: Corinth, TX
just to check the plugs anyway... even if they are fairly new. The way your plugs look can tell you alot about certain types of problems. Of course, the code scanner should be able to do that too 
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