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| | Lew Greger by MufflerMan Mike - March 27th 2024 5:15 pm
| | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 30 newbie | newbie Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 30 | thanks draggnastro! Quick response!
I've done wires and plugs already. Tune up took me from 12 to 14 alone - the plugs, wires, PCV valve, fuel filter, fuel injectors cleaned, synthetic oil change, K&N filter, complete trans fluid drain did wonders to it. Drives much better now!!
Intake, chip, and Exhaust were my immediate thoughts, but I'm a little lost on specific parts, especially combining upgrades without talking to you guys makes me a little nervous- making sure I can smog is important.
Has anyone done a chip? I've seen mixed reviews on them, but haven't seen anyone with my application. Like others have mentioned, the chips (and other upgrades) seem to be geared for more racing applications, as opposed to a low RPM van application. I'm hesitant to spend $200+ on those without talking to someone who has done it before. | | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 30 newbie | newbie Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 30 | | | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Nice van! Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your point of view, I think you will find that by the mid-90s Ford was already doing a good job maximizing economy and performance in their vehicles. Since your van has fuel injection, there aren't many cheap or simple things you can change on the motor to improve economy or performance. Things like cam swaps, head swaps, intake swaps, and chips are certainly doable, but most of these products are designed towards the hot-rodding crowd that likes to go fast for 1/4 mile. In a daily driven camper van you will actually be happier with the stock parts.
Things you can do to improve economy are keep the motor tuned up, use 5W-30 or lighter synthetic oil, keep your tires properly inflated, and drive conservatively. 14 MPG is about average for a 351 in a van.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 30 newbie | newbie Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 30 | Thanks Reed. Probably good advice.
Sounds like its safe to say that the major reason for any upgrades to an intake or exhaust would be mostly for a better sound then huh?
Thanks again. | | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 95 journeyman | journeyman Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 95 | A little trick I learnt years ago for alloy radiators, pour household vingear through them to clean them. Note the key word is pour, don't let it sit for hours or it will eat through.
Doesn't work on brass/copper ones
To test the flow of a radiator: ideally takes two people, can be done in in place (just take radiator hoses of the radaitor. Block both outlets with your hands, full with water (person one blocks pipes, person two fills it), when it's full, take out hose and release the bottom hands allowing all water to flow out. As the water flows out count to 3, 90% of the water should of gone and the flow dropped right back. Thats a good radiator flow, any longer, then it is blocked. Should take 3 seconds.
If you want to back flush the radiator, best to lay on the ground or table and place hose in the bottom pipe. Caution don't use high pressure on old radiators.
To test how good the radiator is, run your finger down (or across if tanks are on the sides) the radiator, the fins (bits between the tubes) should not lay over, if they crumble they are rotten. If they are rotten, when the raditor heats up the tubes expand and bow as there is no solid fins to hold them in place, this causes leaks as the tubes can split and come away from the header tank.
A good radiator cap is just as important than the radiator. | | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Dual exhaust can help fuel economy a bit, just don't ditch the catalytics or lose any O2 sensors. The aftermarket and high performance intakes for EFI 351s are designed to improve high RPM flow, and a van engine will rarely see the RPMs those intakes are designed for. Better to save your money.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 30 newbie | newbie Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 30 | thanks Reed. I'm gonna do that. Gibson looks to have a pretty good system for my van. | | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 197 member | OP member Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 197 | bump. Still have the van. Working on her little by little. | | | Re: ADVISE on what items I can change to improve my van... | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | All right! Keep up the good work.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | |
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