running rich ? ? no-check engine light

[johnnyboy1111]

Just put in new 02 sensors , erased codes , no check engine light has not come on after a 50 mile ride .... mac pro-chamber , no cats ,no air pump, maybe 25,000 miles on new stock injectors , fuel pump , fuel pressure reg , car is tuned , new wires ,new plugs{old plugs were like new 20,000 miles} , timing set slight advance over stock setting, after the 50 mile run at , still seems like its running rich , slight black inside tailpipes , cleaned after installing new 02 sensors, EGR is new .......any ideas ? ? ? .............. thanks

 

[jaidedeye]

well with no cats you are gonna have some crap build up in your pipes. whats your fuel pressure at? set it between 35-40 psi with vac off.

 

[johnnyboy1111]

rich

Thanks Jaid.....Its a stock ford pressure reg, I'll get a tester & see what it reads, thanks ...she has high miles but is still strong & uses no oil , I've changed most of the parts that were old and seemed worn....... its a 1990 Notch with the special service option but was never a Police car I bought it in 1994 & I cant ever see myself selling it, I've owned lots of cars in my lifetime the only other car I ever had that came close was a 1964 GTO and that was in 1970 ! hope I get a few reply's...................................

 

[MurdockSVT]

what do you mean seems rich? If you are refering to the black inside the pipes, what do you expect from an early 90s car with no cats

I think your best bet is to let the cars "feel" tell you how she is running. A good idle, with quick revs and quick drop in revs off the gas is usually a good indication both in sound and response in how the car is tuned. go do some nice 4th gear pulls from 1.5k to 5k and see how she responds. I wouldnt worry to much about the color inside your pipes.

 

[88 Fox GT]

If your not getting any rich mixture codes, you should be ok. Like the others said, removing the cats will allow more of that black soot to build up.

 

[HISSIN50]

dont forget about the ECT and ACT sensors. they can be out of calibration but not out of spec (read wrong for the situation). good luck.

 

[johnnyboy1111]

rich

Thanks to all ...................................Johnny

 

[Michael Yount]

The guys are right - black tail pipes and exhaust odor are no way to determine mixture. Get the thing on a dyno with a wide band to get some real mixture data.

If it's running good, getting reasonable mileage for the combo and you're not putting out any codes, then it's probably just fine.