390 Lacking Power

Engine, ignition, fuel, cooling, exhaust

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convincor
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by convincor »

FORD428CJ wrote:If you had a vac leak....You would be lean and one of the plugs might reflect that!
Not if the leak were at the bottom side and drawing in oil.
But with a cast intake and std. Fel-Pro's you should be ok.
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by DGrant09 »

Dragon wrote:It takes to steps after you select the file with the "Choose File" function you click "add file" Then the window switches and you hit "place inline" for every file. It is not the easiest to do because it puts the code where ever it wants.
Thanks!! I was stuck on the buttons on top of the window and not looking! :doh:

Here's the plugs.
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09", F350, Cabelas, 6.4L
72", F250, CS, 390, 2 WD
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pat67shorty
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by pat67shorty »

Idle screws all the way out is full rich. Where are your float levels set at?
'67 SWB, 1970 car 390, Edelbrock Streetmaster intake, MSD 6AL, 780 Holley, Hedman headers, 2.5 duals, 3.54 D44 L/S, C6.
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FORD428CJ
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by FORD428CJ »

convincor wrote:
FORD428CJ wrote:If you had a vac leak....You would be lean and one of the plugs might reflect that!
Not if the leak were at the bottom side and drawing in oil.
But with a cast intake and std. Fel-Pro's you should be ok.
Image

Yes, then you would see oil on the plug or plugs as well. So it would reflect that, like I have said before.... :thup:
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FORD428CJ
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by FORD428CJ »

Once you get your idle fuel mix set. I would drop in a new set of plugs. Don't try to clean your old ones and making them work! They will cause you more headaches then what its worth and they are never the same after that. :nono: Set your timing to 10-12 Degs and go from there!!! :thup:
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64 Falcon X-Ram 428
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by Dragon »

Those are so rich that the truck is sick.

Carb problem. What model number is your carb? Not CFM the model number is on the air horn.
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by FORD428CJ »

Dragon wrote:Those are so rich that the truck is sick.

Carb problem. What model number is your carb? Not CFM the model number is on the air horn.

His air fuel screws where turned out all the way....Ouch!!!
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by DuckRyder »

Some 600's are backwards on the idle screws, I agree we need the list number off the air horn.

Bet it gets awesome fuel mileage... :wink:
Robert
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by DGrant09 »

DuckRyder wrote:Some 600's are backwards on the idle screws, I agree we need the list number off the air horn.

Bet it gets awesome fuel mileage... :wink:
LMAO! Even though I'm pissed at myself, you folks brought a laugh!

The mileage?? What mileage! I carried extra gas on long trips.

Here's the # 81453 and 0047 is beneath that.

Dan
09", F350, Cabelas, 6.4L
72", F250, CS, 390, 2 WD
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by Dragon »

I just emailed a friend of mine at Holley about the carb since they list almost every carb they ever made on the site but no 81453. They do list a 80453.
Does this look like it.
http://www.holley.com/0-80453.asp
Get this manual from them http://www.holley.com/data/Products/Te ... R9883.pdf
Old Fords Rule
Was a Ford Service Tech
71 F250 with Shell Car 390 NP435 Dana 60 3.73s, PS, PB, 750 EC VS Holley Accel Points Eliminator.
98 Volvo S70 2.4T Auto
71 Service manuals Volumes 1,2,3 and 4 So ask away. :)
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by DGrant09 »

Dragon wrote:I just emailed a friend of mine at Holley about the carb since they list almost every carb they ever made on the site but no 81453. They do list a 80453.
Does this look like it.
http://www.holley.com/0-80453.asp
Get this manual from them http://www.holley.com/data/Products/Te ... R9883.pdf
Dragon,
Your correct.. 80453. The 0 is barely readable.
09", F350, Cabelas, 6.4L
72", F250, CS, 390, 2 WD
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by Dragon »

That carb is standard, not backwards idle mixtures.

The carb has adjustable floats and we start there even without the engine running you can make sure the floats are not too high.

Remove the sight plugs and if fuel pours out the floats are too high. You can adjust the needle height and as the needle moves down the fuel will continue to run out until the float is below the sight hole. Both the front and rear bowls need checked.

When that is checked then we need to go farther inside.
Old Fords Rule
Was a Ford Service Tech
71 F250 with Shell Car 390 NP435 Dana 60 3.73s, PS, PB, 750 EC VS Holley Accel Points Eliminator.
98 Volvo S70 2.4T Auto
71 Service manuals Volumes 1,2,3 and 4 So ask away. :)
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by DuckRyder »

From the instruction sheet linked from Holley's page for the 80453:

http://www.holley.com/0-80453.asp

http://www.holley.com/data/Products/Tec ... 9R9883.pdf
IDLE MIXTURE NEEDLES:
Idle mixture needles control the air/fuel mixture at idle. These have been preset at the factory and SHOULD NOT need any adjustments. However, if you feel that adjustment is necessary, you can use the following procedure to do so. When tuning the idle mixture, you’re actually tuning for the best manifold vacuum. Idle mixture needles are found on the primary metering blocks. If you change one idle mixture needle, you must change the other idle mixture needle by the same amount. Here are the proper steps for setting the idle mixture needles.
NOTE: This carburetor is equipped with a “reverse” idle system. Screwing the idle adjustment needles IN will richen the mixture. Backing the screws OUT will lean the mixture. There is a sticker around each needle showing the correct direction to turn the screw.
Page 8

Page 9 is also relevant.
Robert
1972 F100 Ranger XLT (445/C6/9” 3.50 Truetrac)

"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." -- Jeff Cooper
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Dragon
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by Dragon »

I see why I missed that backwards part after I download these and my carbs info. I opened the wrong one. Why do companies use cryptic names for manuals instead of the part numbers we know them by will always escape me.
Old Fords Rule
Was a Ford Service Tech
71 F250 with Shell Car 390 NP435 Dana 60 3.73s, PS, PB, 750 EC VS Holley Accel Points Eliminator.
98 Volvo S70 2.4T Auto
71 Service manuals Volumes 1,2,3 and 4 So ask away. :)
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Spark test
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Re: 390 Lacking Power

Post by DGrant09 »

Sorry I have not gotten back to the thread. I started the float adjustments Sunday with a plan to finish Monday.

Monday morning we were woken at 4:30 am by a neighbor, our house had caught fire. There is substantial damage to the structure. We now have a recovery contractor trying to save our belongings and are hoping to start rebuilding soon.

The good news is the family and our zoo are fine, found the last pet today!
The 72 and the Dodge were in the garage and they too did good, a few scratches with some smoke damage but that is it!

The whole community here has been outstanding, from the neighbor who saved our lives, the 5 volunteer fire truck crews who did an excellent job in saving our home, the Red Cross, friends, neighbors and co-workers! Even the Director of Public Safety stopped by and offered his assistance! This community ROCKS!
This forum has been and is very similar. Simply great people helping people!

Thank you!
Dan

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09", F350, Cabelas, 6.4L
72", F250, CS, 390, 2 WD
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