Hey guys.... I have a 2 part question for my 85 BII XLT 2.8l 4x4

Question 1:
When I engage my 4wd, my passengers front "gives and goes" The steering wheel violently shakes left to right (at 5mph) and sounds like there is grinding.
Could this be a broken axel or just a screwed up hub lock? (manual hubs)

Question 2:
It seems that my computer is dead. I have had a host of problems trying to get this thing to run correctly. I got a code reader awhile ago, and started on the long road replacing sensors, power valves...etc... This DID make it run alot better. I am getting about 6-8mpg, NO POWER AT ALL, and the exhaust smells of unburnt gas. (blue smoke)

I just put my code checker on it again....nothing! I took it to a friends shop, he hooked it up to his SUN diagnostic machine.... Says no response from computer. I'm so fed up with computer crap... It's ALL COMING OUT!

While I am waiting to get enough money for the Duraspark conversion, is there a way to set the base timing, and lean out the carb (Motorcraft 2150a) so I can drive it normally?

I have the choke ziptied open, that helped. I heard you can hook the choke to the stator on the alternator... Which wire is the stator? (I have A/C, well, the parts are there anyway....lol)

Thanks in advance!
Doug in Oregon

 

blue smoke usually means your burning oil, and on the 2.8 they are notorious for the valve seats backing out and letting oil in the cumbustion chamber, fouling plugs and carbonizing the valves

 

Oops, not blue smoke, black smoke... My bad.

 

black smoke usually means its running rich but if the vehicle has sat up for a long period of time then it could be burning off carbon build and that would clear up after a few days. just some areas to start have you checked the o2 senser to make sure its hooked up not shorted? have you pulled out the spark plugs to check their condition the whole ignition system for that matter, also you might to check to see that the timeing isnt off

 

The computer is totally dead. I just wanted to know if it is possible to lean out the carb until I do my Duraspark conversion.
I have un-hooked the solenoid on the back of the carb, no effect. (Computer is dead) So that was kind of a moot point.
Any suggestions other than getting a new computer, and running through the gauntlet of sensors again?

 

Duraspark it!

 

Yeah I know.... Need money to do it.... Have a newborn ya know, and a wife thats addicted to shoes.

 

Well after 2 years, I finally Durasparked the darn thing...LOL

Took me 2 days to get everything done... Amazing thing is, It fired right up!!! I even had the base timing set by eye 2 degrees off!!! Wow...

Talk about power!! Love it!

 

Sooo... Any thoughts on the "Give and go" in 4 wheel drive?

Well, after months of pain and suffering, I'll be able to drive her... Yeah!! Getting tired of driving my VW.

i had to replace the steering gear box, power steering pump (man what a job!! That darn pulley!!) and finally the radiator. (Putting that in Sunday)

 

stupid question,,, what does the dura spark replace/fix?

 

ooops .. try again

 

Duraspark is an electronic ignition set-up that replaces the stator/ignitor aka ignition control module so that you don't have to have 65329468516254 sensors and a computer. As for your 4x4 front end shaking I would jack stand it, on all 4 corners and set it in 4 wheel drive then manually turn each of the front wheels and see if there is any resistance or free play then maybe even start it up and let it go in low gear and observe what is going on, even try slowing one of the wheels down to see what side is hanging up or slipping. Could be an axle but it also could be a hub. good luck.
~Tough

 

> what does the dura spark replace/fix?

It replaces the crippled and dumb 1/2 way done EEC system (which will not show up on a normal tester anyways, fwiw) with literally dozens of vacuum connections, with a simple and easy to trouble shoot Duraspark ignition system and vacuum operated distributor.

> Any thoughts on the "Give and go" in 4 wheel drive?

Most likely the pass. outer UJ since it is exposed to the weather and not hidden behind the TTB, so the seals fail.

 

how hard and where does one get the dura spark setup , and does it affect the fuel injection. sounds like it makes the engine fairly idiot proof.

 

> does it affect the fuel injection

It doesn't on a DNA's 1985 B2 because it is carbed. Basically a Pinto 2.8L setup, though you can use any DS2 with a blue grommet from any Ford in a junkyard

> sounds like it makes the engine fairly idiot proof

Well, I would rather say fairly fail proof and better then the TFI system.