I have a little single axle dumptruck that just refuses to run right. Sometimes it does ok, other times you'd swear only 5 cylinders are firing. The egr light comes on every now and again. If you rev it up and let out of it, you would think someone threw a stick of dynamite under it. It has a brand new holley oem replacement carb on it. Fuel tank has been drained, and all fuel filters replaced. Timing has been set to just about everything at one time or another, and we just can't seem to get it to run right. Cap, wires, plugs, all of that has been replaced. It is my bosses truck, but I have to drive it.

All that being said, I want to remove all of the emissions CRAP off of the motor. I know that my 300-6 has a feedback carb, and a non vacuum advanced distributor, and when the emissions are removed from it, those two issues need to be addressed. I am wanting to know what all is going to be involved in doing this to this dumptruck. I can't take it anymore. No one seems to be able to figure out the problem with this truck. It has been to a couple shops and they can't seem to do any better than we can. So- I figured I'd ask about it here, remove EVERYTHING from the motor and start from scratch. I want no emissions or smog crap at all. I know they are there for a reason, however the early to mid 80's emissions systems were primitive at best, with 2 miles of vacuum lines to fight with. Can anyone give me any help on this? Again it is an 86 F700 with a 370 and a 4 barrel. Thanks in advance to all who try!

 

At work we have an 1985 F600 with the 370 all the smog crap is cut loose the smog pumps were left on for belt tensioners but it seems to run fine it was doing the exact same thing before all crap was removed.

 

The program will be the same as the 300 six. You will have to get under the hood and look at the dist. I am not familiar with the 370, but I looked at the engine groupings in the forums, and it looks like it's related to a 460.

 

Same block, heads, etc as a 429 or 460 but shorter stroke I think. Many of the 370's use a govenor so I don't know what is involved with that. But, you need a vacuum advance distributor and DuraSpark II ignition if it has a computer. I'd retain the PVC. If the EGR valve is not leaking you can simply remove and plug the vacuum hose going to it. If it is leaking then that may be your problem and you can fabricate a steel block off plate to mount between the EGR and Carburetor base adaptor. You can use straight manifold vacuum for the distributor but ported advance vacuum is likely available on the carburetor. I would also retain all the vacuum hoses and components that provide hot air to the carburetor.

 

Cool, I think I actually see a glimmer of hope. I am pretty good with the ford trucks, I just have never had any experience with this motor. Hell , truck I went and got my CDL in years ago was identical, only it had a 3208 cat motor. I really do want to believe that the truck is not a turd, guess when I get the time I'll see. Anyone else want to weigh in on this, I am all ears.

By the way, I believe it is a vacuum advance distributor, as we found that the distributor would only turn so far when we were messing with the timing. I'll look for an ignition box and post back with the findings.

 

The 385 Series Engine Forum has several folks who know the ins and outs of the so-called "big block" motors.

 

Allrighty, I'll try posting this there.

 

Yes, the 370 requires the same distributor as the 460 series. You will need a distributor that has advance weights, springs, and a vacuum advance to control your timing curve.

If you decide to get a new distributor, consider our custom curved Duraspark Distributor built with our new Full Length Oil Impregnated Bronze Bushing. The full length bushing improves timing stability and spark scatter. If stock appearance is not an issue, take a look at our one piece D.U.I. Distributor. Whether you choose the Duraspark or the D.U.I., we curve each on a distributor machine based on your engine combination. Please see them at:

http://www.performancedistributors.com/forddistributors.htm

Also, there is now an excellent installation article on the D.U.I. Distributor on the Ford-Trucks.com site at:


https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/0/358/article/DUI_Ignition_Installation_In_A_Ford_351W_V8.html

<O

 

I have a 79 370 F-600 and I ditched it all, put a non-EGR intake, two 1' 4-hole spacers, a 1411 Edelbrock (I'd do a 1406 next time) and a points distributor converyed with a petronix kit. it was duraspark, but the wiring had an issue, and a speed limiter messing up.
I went from 4-6 mpg and watering eyes, to 10 mpg empty and purrs like a kitten. pulls like crazy, moved from CA to MO got 5.5 MPG and grossed around 40k lbs truck and trailer (I did fry a clutch afterwards)and did 65-70 much of the trip ...except hills...

its a whole different truck now, its even quieter.

68-72 4v intake or performer 460 (non EGR)
1406 Edelbrock carb (650 CFM) with electric choke
stand alone distributor with mechanical and Vacuum advance
I would also recommend the 4-hole spacer(s) for additional torque.

the 370 shares a crank with the 429, but has a smaller bore than the 429/460

 

that distributor sounds really sweeeeet. I may have to get some...

 

I ripped all the emissions off and got one hell of an improvement. If it will stop snowing long enough, I'll get into it more.

 

check distributor for moisture on the underside of the cap..spray with lubricant (lightly). Check float bowl on Holley.