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87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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cnmservad
Novice
Oct 20, 2009, 9:14 PM
Post #1 of 9
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87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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I just got this van from a private owner and have no clue what has been done to it... the previous owner couldn't remember... which probably means nothing has been done to it the entire time he's owned it. It has been running fine until recently. I was driving home from work late at night and I had the doghouse removed from the engine while I was doing some interior swapping. The van backfired and when I looked down, I saw the driver's side exhaust manifold was glowing bright red. I pulled over and let it cool down and finished my commute home. I drove it back into town a few days later and noticed it has no "get up and go" so to speak. It also was "surging" while trying to stay steady at any speed. While in park, the it has a "loping" idle, that is to say, it fluctuates. I checked the cat and muffler by tapping them with a hammer. They sounded fine, although, that's not a 100% sure fire way to check them either. I checked the timing... it appears to be pretty far off. it calls for 10 degrees BTDC, but there are no numbered timing marks around the harmonic balancer, only a small metal plate with a round notch in it, which I am assuming is the correct timing mark. I've only had this van a month or so and have only driven it 3 times so far. My thoughts are as follows: I know a clogged cat or muffler can cause glowing exhaust and power loss. I also know that if the timing is far enough off, it can cause excess fuel to be dumped into the intake, which will burn up in the exhaust manifold for lack of any other place to go. Any help will be greatly appreciated and thank you in advance.
(This post was edited by cnmservad on Oct 20, 2009, 9:19 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 21, 2009, 3:48 PM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: 87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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Hmmm? Fuel is possible dumping and wrecked converter and will again. Test for exhaust restrictions.
I think there are timing marks if you clean off the harmonic balancer on these. I use an "advance" timing light and mark TDC with white paint.
Also - if you can timing chain lash 5 degress or less and if no history of it being done yet it about can't be any good,
T
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Oct 21, 2009, 4:15 PM
Post #3 of 9
(3916 views)
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Re: 87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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We had a 302 in a 86 Crown Vic that did thet. It wound up being the coil was not producing enough spark and the fuel lighting off in the manifold. Just something else to look at.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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cnmservad
Novice
Oct 21, 2009, 7:27 PM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: 87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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Thank you Tom, for replying so quickly. I just bought a digital timing light from my work, so we'll see what happens with that. I figured it might be the cat, so I was going to unbolt the cat from the manifolds and run it to see if it still got hot, but the cat is welded, so I drilled a few small holes in the pipe before the cat and drove it like that. It seemed to do fine, but still sputtered when holding steady speed, kind of like it was running out of gas. It backfired again tonight and started sputtering and surging while holding steady speed. This time I had the dog house on the engine, so I couldn't see if the manifold got red hot again or not. it dies if I leave it idling for more than a few seconds in park and the trans shifts really hard and strains to shift. I don't think anything has been done to this van before I got it, so I'm sure it needs ALL fluids flushed and ALL filters replaced, and a tune up, but I'll have to do it one step at a time. I will check for timing marks on the H.B. in the morning and check the timing. i will post what I find... again, thank you.
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cnmservad
Novice
Oct 21, 2009, 7:29 PM
Post #5 of 9
(3909 views)
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Re: 87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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Thank you... mystery person, for your reply as well. That makes sense about the coil not sparking the fuel and flooding out the manifold. That could also cause the cutting out that I notice while trying to stay at a steady pace. I'll check that out in the morning and post the results... thank you again.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 21, 2009, 8:09 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: 87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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Just know converters are trying to eat unburned gas and can glow. It will kill them too. Source problem needs be found and fixed it would just do it again!
TomG
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cnmservad
Novice
Oct 21, 2009, 8:22 PM
Post #7 of 9
(3898 views)
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Re: 87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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Thank you... so, check the timing and check for exhaust restrictions? How do I check for exhaust restrictions? The only way I know of is to tap on the cat and muffler with a hammer... just not sure what I'm listening for. Is there a better way to check? There is (what seems to be) good air flow coming from the tail pipe. What should I check for 1st and how do I check it? Thank you again.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 21, 2009, 9:02 PM
Post #8 of 9
(3895 views)
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Re: 87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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An orig 5.0 would most likely use stupid plastic for cam gear of timing chain. Chunks come off out of you sight if original.
Take dist cap off, set to TDC and with huge socket turn the crank bolt and watch how far either way by timing marks it turns before rotor moves.
Exhaust restrictions can be checked with a vacuum meter. Find and use a "T" in line to actual manifold vacuum. It should read about 18 at idle and the same at 2,000 RPM with no load. If way different something is a problem and if lower at the high RPM exhaust is usually the culprit. You really can't tell by just flow out the tailpipe.
Hey - can it work with more than 5 degrees off - YES. If you weren't complaining I wouldn't be suggesting checking it. IMO these a tough but gutless engines in the vintage. Have one now (car rusted) with way over 200k that runs fine - parts car now!
The hammer on parts is not conclusive. Another way is to leave exhaust loose for a quick test before suspected restrictions.
Again - converter is the weak link and they get killed (DanD here coined that) if not just damaged or rusted out and last a long time. They go for ages with good running engines.
Keep at it,
T
(edited for spelling)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Oct 21, 2009, 9:03 PM)
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cnmservad
Novice
Oct 21, 2009, 9:56 PM
Post #9 of 9
(3889 views)
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Re: 87 Ford E150 5.0 Auto Trans Redi-Kamp (Conversion Van) aprox 200k mi. Bad running condition, ex man glows red!
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I really do appreciate your input and will definitely try it out in the morning. I will post my findings... thank you.
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