Need info on tuning up an old 5.0 engine in an F-150

2

2002GreyGT

Member

Jun 10, 2003

481

0

16

Raleigh, NC

Nov 8, 2006

#1

• Nov 8, 2006

• #1

So my dad got a new truck and gave me his old 1990 F-150. It was a work truck, but I wanted a pickup to work around the house and all...plus its an american made 5.0 which I may some day put in my stang...maybe.

So the truck runs rough, pings a little when going up hills, misses sometimes, etc.

I am familiar with tuning the 4.6L's but I have not worked on a 5.0.

What is suggested for the tune up?

My ideas:
Plugs
Wires
Fuel , air filters
Tranny fluid change (Auto)
brakes

~K

 

vristang

15 Year Member

Mar 31, 2005

4,933

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124

Seattle

Nov 8, 2006

#2

• Nov 8, 2006

• #2

Is that a MAF engine or SD?

Pulling the codes is always a good place to start...






jason

 

8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member

Dec 20, 2004

4,265

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69

B.C. Canada

Nov 8, 2006

#3

• Nov 8, 2006

• #3

1990 is a SD 302. yes pull codes but what you have suggested is always a good thing to do. Start with the basics.

 

5.0 con-vert

No soup for you, Joe Rogan!!!

Jun 7, 2005

244

4

39

Boca Raton, FL

Nov 8, 2006

#4

• Nov 8, 2006

• #4

I've heard both good and bad about changing the tranny fluid on the AOD. Some people say they have burnt them up right after the swap. I don't know. When I had my 89 crown vic with the 5.0, I did pretty much what you said, just basic tune up stuff. Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, check fluids, maybe coolant flush depending on how everything looks, and an oil change. have fun.

 

Maryland Stang

Active Member

Aug 21, 2002

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Greenville, NC

Nov 9, 2006

#5

• Nov 9, 2006

• #5

A few tanks of gas with fuel injector cleaner is a good idea too.

 

sunil6784

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Mar 31, 2005

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Boston, MA

Nov 9, 2006

#6

• Nov 9, 2006

• #6

Check the timing

 

sunil6784

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Mar 31, 2005

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Boston, MA

Nov 9, 2006

#7

• Nov 9, 2006

• #7

Oh and seafoam maybe, personally I've had good luck with the stuff.

 

2

2002GreyGT

Member

Jun 10, 2003

481

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16

Raleigh, NC

Nov 9, 2006

#8

• Nov 9, 2006

• #8

How do you check the timing on the 5.0? I'd need a timing light wouldn't I?

I drove the truck down from NY, and put some fuel system cleaner in it, did not help much.

Seafoam is a definite, I love that stuff.

~K

 

Maryland Stang

Active Member

Aug 21, 2002

1,656

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39

Greenville, NC

Nov 9, 2006

#9

• Nov 9, 2006

• #9

Just how many miles are on this jewel? Pics, we need pics!

 

2

2002GreyGT

Member

Jun 10, 2003

481

0

16

Raleigh, NC

Nov 9, 2006

#10

• Nov 9, 2006

• #10

I don't have any pics yet, I'll try to get some this weekend, by the time I am home at night is dark already.

The truck has 130K, spent most of its life on a beach carting around workers and tools, etc. Its nothing pretty, but seems to runs ok. The speed limit on the island is 15mph, so the majority of its life has been slow driving around the streets or on the beach.

My plan is to see how good I can get it running, then worry about the rust / body work.

~K