Ignition help
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Ignition help
I've got an 85 F-150 with a 5.0 EFI all done up with the CA emissions stuff.
I really thought I was doing myself a favor by buying an EFI vehicle, but it turns out I was a bit wrong. This thing is just quirky as heck and really hard to troubleshoot becuase there are wires running everywhere to random unlabled boxes that can be completely unplugged to no real effect.
I am wondering if I can "modernize" the electronics a bit, but I really don't know where to start. Basically I'd like to rip out all the 1980's emissions control crud and the old ignition module and what not and just move to a newer, simpiler computer.
I'm smart enough to figure it out, but it would really save time if someone could point me in the right direction as far as if it's feasable / resonable and what a good source of parts might be.
I really don't want to stay where I am, the charge needle shakes all the time, the truck blows voltage regulators randomly, there are random boxes that emit loud clicks all the time, the idle changes from high to low seemingly randomly, Cylinders skip one day and work fine the next. I'm being driven insane by just really odd little issues.
I really thought I was doing myself a favor by buying an EFI vehicle, but it turns out I was a bit wrong. This thing is just quirky as heck and really hard to troubleshoot becuase there are wires running everywhere to random unlabled boxes that can be completely unplugged to no real effect.
I am wondering if I can "modernize" the electronics a bit, but I really don't know where to start. Basically I'd like to rip out all the 1980's emissions control crud and the old ignition module and what not and just move to a newer, simpiler computer.
I'm smart enough to figure it out, but it would really save time if someone could point me in the right direction as far as if it's feasable / resonable and what a good source of parts might be.
I really don't want to stay where I am, the charge needle shakes all the time, the truck blows voltage regulators randomly, there are random boxes that emit loud clicks all the time, the idle changes from high to low seemingly randomly, Cylinders skip one day and work fine the next. I'm being driven insane by just really odd little issues.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 4
From: Harrisburg, NE
well you could start by pulling codes, getting flowsheets and chasing everything down one at a time. i did that with my 88's 5.0 and it really wasn't that bad. just got to have some patience. but it won't run right if you try pulling alot of the smog stuff off. the previous owners of my buddys 89 f150 did that when they rebuilt its engine, and were still chasing stuff down on it.
or you can consider something like megasquirt or something. if your ok with electronics and want to invest some time it can be as simple or complicated as you would like.
or you can consider something like megasquirt or something. if your ok with electronics and want to invest some time it can be as simple or complicated as you would like.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I believe you need to keep all the OEM Emissions equipment if you live in California,
California would have it no other way.
If you really want to work on this to any depth, I recommend you get some Ford factory
emissions manuals, e.g. some of those listed in here:
Lloyds Auto Liturature available for 1985, Fordtruck, All Categories
The Emissions manual is one by itself; the EFI stuff is likely in the Shop Manual and/or
the Engine manual. I've heard good things about the Vacuum Diagnosis &
Troubleshooting manual.
I suspect he shaking ammeter & dieing voltage regulators are related; the clicking boxes are
relays; unplugging devices yet you discern no real effect tells me the devices are used in
other circumstances, e.g. when the engine is cold, or hot, or whatever.
As was stated above, pull your OBD1 codes and see what the computer is saying.
Modern multiport EFI is pretty dang good IMHO but your 1985 version was made during
the very first years of the auto industry moving to computer-controlled engines.
Regardless, be thankful you don't have a feedback carb.
California would have it no other way.
If you really want to work on this to any depth, I recommend you get some Ford factory
emissions manuals, e.g. some of those listed in here:
Lloyds Auto Liturature available for 1985, Fordtruck, All Categories
The Emissions manual is one by itself; the EFI stuff is likely in the Shop Manual and/or
the Engine manual. I've heard good things about the Vacuum Diagnosis &
Troubleshooting manual.
I suspect he shaking ammeter & dieing voltage regulators are related; the clicking boxes are
relays; unplugging devices yet you discern no real effect tells me the devices are used in
other circumstances, e.g. when the engine is cold, or hot, or whatever.
As was stated above, pull your OBD1 codes and see what the computer is saying.
Modern multiport EFI is pretty dang good IMHO but your 1985 version was made during
the very first years of the auto industry moving to computer-controlled engines.
Regardless, be thankful you don't have a feedback carb.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
Ford Fuel Injection Has info on how to get codes. Do you have duraspark ignition (module on drivers inner fender)? I'm not sure what extras ca vehicles got and what can be eliminated. What kind of emissions testing do you have where you live?
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Thanks for all the good replies, guys!
I live in a place with no emissions requirements at all, so I'm really not worried about keeping them. As well, I've been troubleshooting the truck for some time, but it is really hurting my head. I'll track something down until I'm convinced that it's the guy causing the issues, replace it, and it imediately blow it. Very frustrating.
I know that there is something I'm missing, but I've been wrestling with it for over a year now. Oh and OBD shows no codes.
I guess that my real question is this:
On the early EFI engines how difficult is it to completely replace all of the fuel delivery electronic compnonets?
I just can't tell how much of the garbage is spark delivery which I can probably replace all of with a new distributer and ignition module and how much is fuel delivery.
For fuel delivery is there just a single computer which can take an aftermarket O2 sensor, temp sensor, MAF sensor, throttle position sensor and just work? Better yet, one that will work with all the stock components?
I live in a place with no emissions requirements at all, so I'm really not worried about keeping them. As well, I've been troubleshooting the truck for some time, but it is really hurting my head. I'll track something down until I'm convinced that it's the guy causing the issues, replace it, and it imediately blow it. Very frustrating.
I know that there is something I'm missing, but I've been wrestling with it for over a year now. Oh and OBD shows no codes.
I guess that my real question is this:
On the early EFI engines how difficult is it to completely replace all of the fuel delivery electronic compnonets?
I just can't tell how much of the garbage is spark delivery which I can probably replace all of with a new distributer and ignition module and how much is fuel delivery.
For fuel delivery is there just a single computer which can take an aftermarket O2 sensor, temp sensor, MAF sensor, throttle position sensor and just work? Better yet, one that will work with all the stock components?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
You have several choices.
You could update the truck to a later Ford fuel injection system off a later truck. The 85 was the first and is a little bit different.
You could go with a regular duraspark II ignition system with DS2 distributor, and use a holley pro-jection throttle body unit. You can get these used cheap off ebay.
You could update the truck to a later Ford fuel injection system off a later truck. The 85 was the first and is a little bit different.
You could go with a regular duraspark II ignition system with DS2 distributor, and use a holley pro-jection throttle body unit. You can get these used cheap off ebay.
