No Power!!
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No Power!!
I just recently aquired a 1994 F250 ext. cab 4x4 with a 5.8L 5speed. the truck doesn't seem like it has enough power to pull anything. I have an enclosed trailer and loaded down im only pulling 5500lbs. is there anything i can do to get a little more pulling power. there is no check engine lights on. the truck starts and runs good but dads old f150 w/ a 300 6 cyl. has twice the power of this truck. i am being told i can advance the timing 6 degrees put in a k&n air filter and cut out my cat and go duell straight pipe exhaust. I really dont want to straight pipe the truck because i have neighbors and they complain about the quads as it is. anyone have any advice?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
What gearing does the truck have? You can advance the timing.. but you'll have to try it a couple degrees at a time and listen for detonation... the stock setting is 10 degrees BTDC, you might want to check that it's set there at least. The exhaust system on these trucks is a bit of a cork, but you don't have to put open pipes on it to get power, longtube headers and a 2.5" single with a high flow cat and muffler will produce good results.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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How old is the clutch in it, is it slipping at all. Also, how does it run when you're not pulling anything. You may want to have it put on the computer just to see if any codes are thrown, just because the engine light is not on doesn't mean there aren't any codes.
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the truck has 127k miles, and the clutch is new(it was slipping when I bought it). the truck runs good when its not towing but still seems a little gutless. the gearing is 3:55. I am taking it to a mechanic to check the timing and see if there is any codes. thanks for the advice, Ill repost with the results
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Are the tires stock size? Even if they are 3.55 is good driving around gearing but it's less than optimal for hauling loads, 4.10 would make a big difference and extend the life of the clutch.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
codes, tuneup, plat plugs, bad wires, clogged air filter.
you are not giving us much to work on yet.
you are not giving us much to work on yet.
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No Power!!
the truck had all original plugs and wires when I got it. I put new autolite plugs and wires(the really good ones)on it and a new air filter along with changing all the fluids over to amsoil. i did find out someone put to small of a radiator on it(the mechanic said it was for the 6cyl) so i am putting the right one on it today. no codes showed up when they scanned it so i am going to try advancing the timing put on a k&n air filter and check into getting some kind of exhaust for it. we dont have any emissions check where i live so do i need to put on a new cat or can i just do away with it?
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Elder User
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If you don't need emissions, cut it off. I would also suggest maybe switching the gears to a 3.73, that 3.55 sounds like it's to high a ratio for the trailer you're pulling. You'll have to swap both front and rear gears.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
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From: South Dakota
Going from 3.55 to 3.73 gears would only be a 5% difference, definitely not worth the trouble of swapping especially beings it's a 4X4 and you would have to switch both axles.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Rural Florida Panhandle
Depending on how often the oil was changed and maintained, you could have a worn timing chain and sprockets, causing slow valve timing.
When I bought my 88, it had overheated and because the owner smelled oil, he had it way overfull. Bottom line, my son and I replaced the timing chain and sprockets, and water pump (which was the overheating cause)and its power increased dramatically. It only had 117K on it at the time. That was in 2001. I paid $600 for it. Now it has 191000 on it and is still going good. I did have it repainted and later put in new lifters.
When I bought my 88, it had overheated and because the owner smelled oil, he had it way overfull. Bottom line, my son and I replaced the timing chain and sprockets, and water pump (which was the overheating cause)and its power increased dramatically. It only had 117K on it at the time. That was in 2001. I paid $600 for it. Now it has 191000 on it and is still going good. I did have it repainted and later put in new lifters.
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