'83 302 troubles

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Dec 7, 2009 | 05:48 PM

cjohn2000

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From: tacoma

'83 302 troubles

so i have a 1983 ford f-150 w/ 302 and it used to be my step dad's and he never used it much but now i use it as a daily driver and i gave it a tune up (plugs, wires, cap and rotor) but it sounds sputtery and when i floor it it sounds like i have a vacuum leak but the main problem is is i lose antifreeze and i watch it and it doesn't drip out from the water pump which i replaced and i don't know what is causing it. any help is much appreciated.

Dec 12, 2009 | 07:50 PM

Terpfords

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do a compression test.

Dec 12, 2009 | 08:19 PM

85e150

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Shut it off and pull some plugs. Look for water/antifreeze. You probably have a blown head gasket.

Dec 15, 2009 | 11:24 PM

mustang81

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From: New-brunswick,Canada

Probably a blown head gasket between the 2 cylinders. A compression test will show ....only if you remove all the plug on that head.

Dec 16, 2009 | 09:34 PM

cjohn2000

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From: tacoma

is there any easy ways of doing a compression test?

Dec 17, 2009 | 04:00 PM

mustang81

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From: New-brunswick,Canada

You need a compression tester that you screw in the spark plug hole and crank the engine for a couple second. Be sure to diconneted the coil wire that goes to the distibutor.

Dec 17, 2009 | 05:03 PM

cjohn2000

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From: tacoma

how much do they usually run and are they avaliable at most auto stores like autozone.

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Dec 17, 2009 | 11:50 PM

mustang81

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From: New-brunswick,Canada

I don't know but aroud here they are 30,40 box max $can. I'm pretty sure you can find them at any part store. You also have 3 differents spark plug hole.... usefull for ski-doo, rtv and other motor...you also have a range red and green to tell you if the engine have enough compression in that cylinder to fire(or push) the piston down after the compression. I check a ski-doo engine twise and i could tell from the reading wish cylinder has a bad compression. Save them a head gasket and mechanic time... Usefull piece for diagnostic any engine compression. By the way an engine that run like the ski-doo i did was 40 psi on one ... found the problem in 5 min with comp test. Bad ring in that case after dissasembling. Normal engine will show 120-130psi so so. Engine don't have to be high in compression to run, just have to be constant between reading.my .02