Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

low on power

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 26, 2009 | 02:08 PM
  #1  
2serious's Avatar
2serious
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
low on power

i just purchased a 1985 f250 with a 4 speed stick and efi 302 with 3.55 gears. i did a full tune up spark plugs wires cap rotor fuel filter. the truck just seems to have no ***** down low. once i get going on the highway it moves along no problem. i checked the timing and i cam up with 15 degrees!!! i think that is a little much for the amount of power it has. it also does not ping at all. anyone got any ideas?
 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2009 | 04:04 PM
  #2  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
What size tire are you running? With the 302 you are going to have to wind it out a little in the lower gears.

I have been known to be a little negative about the 302 being installed in the full size trucks, but most of the time they do fine unless you are towing. But I think it was plain stupid on Ford's part to put a 302 in a f250.
 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2009 | 08:39 PM
  #3  
2serious's Avatar
2serious
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
i agree not a good move to put a 302 in a f250. i am running a 33x12.5 on a 16.5 inch rim. that prolly doesnt help. my friend has a truck with a 351 carb in a 1983. same everything but motor and he whips me. would switching to a carb give anymore power? i would think being fuel injected it would give more power.
 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2009 | 09:03 PM
  #4  
86bigred's Avatar
86bigred
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 4
From: patricia ab canada
Originally Posted by 2serious
i agree not a good move to put a 302 in a f250. i am running a 33x12.5 on a 16.5 inch rim. that prolly doesnt help. my friend has a truck with a 351 carb in a 1983. same everything but motor and he whips me. would switching to a carb give anymore power? i would think being fuel injected it would give more power.
the short stroke of the 302 is the torque killer.thats one of the reasons the 300 six has more torque than the 302.the 351 has a longer stroke which gives it more bottom end.my daily driver has a 302 and you have to really wind it up to get going.i'm actually thinking of putting and inline 6 in it for the more bottom end and fuel mileage.imo. B.P.
 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2009 | 10:19 PM
  #5  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
I guess you should really check the engine out first. I am assuming it runs ok otherwise? I would pull the codes from it just in case something is not quite right somewhere.

I hope you do not think there is something wrong with your truck because your 302 will not beat a 351w. You are never going to do that. The fuel injection system helps, but the extra cubes and torque he has are going to be hard to beat. A carb on your 302 is not going to help, and probably will hurt.

Enjoy and use it as is, or sell it if you want to go racing and get one with a bigger engine. If you are going to do a lot of towing, I think I would sell it also. If you are going to drive it to work everyday, and use it occasionally for some heavy work, I would keep it.
 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2009 | 11:06 PM
  #6  
hittman1422's Avatar
hittman1422
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Blue Eye, mo. hwy 86 & JJ
lol get a 351 and problem solved!!!! i've heard that 302s just dont have anything in the lower RPMs... but on the other hand my I6 wont go above 3500 in fourth gear wide open...
 
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2009 | 11:27 PM
  #7  
86bigred's Avatar
86bigred
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 4
From: patricia ab canada
put a stroker crank in it button it up looking stock.347 ci. tell everyone it's a 302.LOL
 
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 05:19 PM
  #8  
2serious's Avatar
2serious
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
i have no problem with it being slow.i have a 2004 gmc 2500hd 6.0 for a daily driver. this truck i bought to go off roading. it also has a 6000 pound capacity dump bed. for 600 bucks im not complaining too much. i just really wanted input since the timing is at 15 degrees and is still a slug. my 1986 mustang with 10 moves out better, and forget about when u put 18 in it. this truck runs on 87 and doesnt ping think i could go up a few degrees? i will definatly run better gas if i do.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 08:37 PM
  #9  
WAExplorer's Avatar
WAExplorer
Junior User
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Eatonville, WA
Originally Posted by Franklin2
I think it was plain stupid on Ford's part to put a 302 in a f250.
You said it....
 
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 09:10 PM
  #10  
jimg4652's Avatar
jimg4652
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Hammond, La
Originally Posted by 2serious
i just really wanted input since the timing is at 15 degrees and is still a slug. my 1986 mustang with 10 moves out better, and forget about when u put 18 in it. this truck runs on 87 and doesnt ping think i could go up a few degrees? i will definatly run better gas if i do.
All you can do is test. Add some timing, test drive it, see how it feels. Take some timing out, test drive it, see how it feels. Play with it long enough and you'll find out what she likes.
 
Reply
Old Apr 27, 2009 | 09:55 PM
  #11  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,983
Likes: 2,736
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
A f250 with a 302 and a dump bed? That dump bed adds a lot of weight. Dude you are sunk.
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2009 | 09:05 PM
  #12  
2serious's Avatar
2serious
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
haha no its stock bed with a dump unit under it. id say it weighs maybe 400 pounds more.
 
Reply
Old Apr 28, 2009 | 09:05 PM
  #13  
2serious's Avatar
2serious
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
haha no its stock bed with a dump unit under it. id say it weighs maybe 400 pounds more.


i am gonna add some timing see what happens
 
Reply
Old Apr 29, 2009 | 09:29 PM
  #14  
donniezyea's Avatar
donniezyea
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Saukville WI
Club FTE Silver Member

This is funny I get picked on all the time for having a 302 in my 91 f-250....I hafta admit NO power pulling any loads! Once again WHY a 302 f-250!!!! Oh well to bad the 351 in the junk yard i was gonna pull had 216000 miles on it DARN!!!
last thought here my 86 f-150 302 EFI had no low end power so i ripped her apart due to low compression... (you may want to check) I found my lifters looked like this..... My 302 is now .60 over and ready to roll!!! when my trucks done that is Good luck!

 
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2009 | 03:45 PM
  #15  
2serious's Avatar
2serious
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
hmm that might be it i am gonna test the compression. there is absolutly no smoke on start up or anytime. i have an extra 302 motor one in my mustang and another bare block 302. than i have a 357 brand new but that is supposed to be for the mustang.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:30 AM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE