85 2.8 V6 Idles Too High

[ford4wd08]

Hi all,

I have on issue since dropping my transmission and replacing the front seal on it.

My BII sat on ramps for about two months front wheels on the ramps, back on the ground so I could get to the transmission.

When it became time to start it up, it wouldn't start. I used a jack to let it off the ramps and have all the wheels on the ground. I used some starting fluid to get it going since I guess all the fuel had drained back to the tank, and finally it began to run. I assume I was able to get the mechanical fuel pump to fill up the carb bowl and it ran on its out.

Now I have a very fast idle, I don't have a tach, but it running very fast when in Neutral or Park.

When I shift to a gear the trans will lug the engine down some, but it still seems to be running to fast.

I am guessing this might be a vacuum leak? I'll look over all the linkages and stuff this morning.

Any tips on where to start?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Vaccuum leak for sure. Or a carburator issue.

Do you have an auto trans? Im guessing if you do you split, cut, or otherwise screwed up the vacuum line between the modulator valve on the trans and the intake on the motor.

Id start by checking/replaceing that hose.

 

[ford4wd08]

Yes auto trans.

It is a hard line going from the trans to the engine with a rubber vacuum line on each end.

I'm thinking of pulling the vacuum line off on the engine side and plugging it to see how it runs. If it improves I'll either replace the hard line or see where the leak might be.

I think its routing might be bad. I'll remove the cat and mid pipe so I can see it better.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Yes auto trans.

It is a hard line going from the trans to the engine with a rubber vacuum line on each end.

I'm thinking of pulling the vacuum line off on the engine side and plugging it to see how it runs. If it improves I'll either replace the hard line or see where the leak might be.

I think its routing might be bad. I'll remove the cat and mid pipe so I can see it better.

Id start there anyways before digging deep

 

[ford4wd08]

Vacuum line to the trans is OK. I confirmed it tonight.

I played with the mixture screws a little and got it to idle down, but after driving it for a little bit when stopped and in park, it began to idle pretty high again.

Is there a procedure to set the idle on the '85 model with the 2.8?

I don't see any obvious vacuum leaks.

I did notice on line is plugged that directly in front under the carb. I'll have to do some research and see what all they go too.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Im not sure with the feedback carb setup. I know on the older style carbs it was just a matter of turning screws. You can use a vaccum gauge to really dial it in, i always just did it by engine note.

 

[ford4wd08]

Im not sure with the feedback carb setup. I know on the older style carbs it was just a matter of turning screws. You can use a vaccum gauge to really dial it in, i always just did it by engine note.

I'm going to pick up my Library's copy of the Chilton's manual and a vacuum gauge and see what I can find out.

 

[ford4wd08]

Got it figured out today.

$25 harbor freight timing light and figured out I had too much advance on the timing.

Got it back to 10 degrees BTDC and see smoothed way out and ran much better.

I must have knocked the distributor slightly when messing with the transmission.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Glad you got it figured.