daily doubler build

[RangerSVT]

Was the upper intake or TB pulled for any reason that you know of or when you did the swap?? When you do the compression test, also do a leak down test. If both are good, that rules out the heads/head gasket being bad. Do you have the composite intake or the aluminum?? It sounds like you have a vac leak somewhere, double check the vac lines
SVT

 

[Bray D]

Pulled the plugs, they are indeed Motorcraft Platinums.

Checked the gap, all of them were .010" under spec. I must've gapped them all to .045" instead of .054".

Gapped them all to .054" and reinstalled.

I was talking to a guy today about my situation, and he asked if I gapped my plugs. I told him of course, to .054". He said I'm a dumbass, and you're not supposed to gap platinum plugs.

I bought a new set and tossed em in without touching them (other than anti-seize).

IT WORKED!

Runs like a beast now. Full throttle through all gears, no stumbling. Drop the rpm's to 500 when first taking off, still pulls strong.

You guys fail for not catching that I gapped the plugs.

So the 4.0 swap is officially DONE. Now I've gotta get my passenger side u-joint swapped out (needle bearings are toasted) and do some wheelin!

 

[Kyle M.]

I would check your plug gap also, make sure it is correct. Maybe give it a quick look over for vacuum leaks while you are at it, those would be my guesses.

ahhhem...my first post about it...

I never heard you aren't supposed to gap a platnum plug, don't see what the issue is with it. I swear I had done it in the past with my mustang, or maybe that is why I found out too big of a gap is bad? IDK, good job anyway!

So you like the 4.0 power, was it worth it?

 

[Bray D]

I checked it, and made sure it was gapped to .054", which is incorrect haha. Its a moot point. I did learn something though, and hopefully others that have been following this thread have too. It would've saved me a few days of pondering and a few hours of troubleshooting had I known it in the first place.

Was it worth it? I think so. Though it doesn't have a ton, its got noticeably more power. I picked up 2 mpg too, so that's a huge plus. I look to get low to mid 20's when I drive it on wheelin trips. The 3.0 averaged 17.5mpg and I got 21mpg one time on a trip.

I want to get it offroad. I think I'll really notice the pull in 4lo.

 

[86 slo-vo]

Good to hear though that's really wierd. I wonder if just one of those plugs was fouled real good or something. I ran the plat's this last time Nd tapped them to .054 and it runs fine. Also ran copper autolite's at the same gap with no problems

 

[Bray D]

I think its just the plats that are pre-gapped. Copper would be fine. Its dumb, cause right on the side of the box it says to gap the plugs to the manufacturers spec. So I did.

Who knows. All's I know is it runs 100% better now.

Thanks for all the help getting me though this guys. Its been a long few months.

 

[wahlstrom1]

Wait until you start wheelin with it, you'll love the off idle torque of the 4.0L. Are you still running stock size exhaust? I know going to 2.5" on mine made a noticeable difference...

 

[RacinNdrummin]

Wait until you start wheelin with it, you'll love the off idle torque of the 4.0L. Are you still running stock size exhaust? I know going to 2.5" on mine made a noticeable difference...

x2... The 4.0 needs some bigger pipe...and 2.5" is just about the perfect size in my opinion. I have 2.5" on mine and its plenty for even my SOHC...

 

[Bray D]

My exhaust is all kinds of crazy. No cats. Custom y pipe coming from the manifolds. Single in/single out turbo muff dumped just behind the cab. Not sure on the pipe sizing, but my system is pretty "un-restrictive".

I started with the stock system and kept modifying it as needed. Wanted a flowmaster a long time ago, so put that on and dumped it just before my rear axle. Then I needed to push it up cause my driveshaft would hit it during articulation. Then I needed to move the pre-muffler pipe up so I could run my RA crossmember flat against the bottom of the frame - that was when the 2nd cat was removed. Now I've got a custom y-pipe leading into a straight pipe going into my muffler - no cats. Had to get the custom y cause the 3.0 exhaust wouldn't bolt to the 4.0 manifolds. Evolution at its best.

 

[Bray D]

Just a quick update. Still running good. Taking care of little odds and ends as I go. I'm hoping to have the truck back to 100% this weekend.

I used to average 17.5mpg with the 3.0. I have a 13 gallon tank, and my fuel gauge doesn't work - so I'd try and fill up at 175 miles (10 gallons).

I filled up today at 185.2 miles, and it only took 9.01 gallons.

20.5mpg!

Bigger engine, more power, and better mileage. Rollin on 35's and still get over 20mpg. Unbelievable.

 

[kris97ranger]

your getting 5 mpg better then my stock f150.... this sucks.. worst thing is my buddy has a 2000 7.3 f250 with an 8 ft bed and he gets 16 Mpg. and he's 4wd 8 ft box and has a shit ton more power. and diesel here is 10 cents cheaper!!!

 

[86 slo-vo]

doesnt get much better then that does it

 

[RangerSVT]

Glad to hear you got it going....any time in 4lo yet??
SVT

 

[Bray D]

any time in 4lo yet??

I've engaged it and 'flat landed' it for little bit haha. I still want to get that dried up u-joint swapped out before I do anything too serious. Hopefully I'll get it in the dirt this weekend.

 

[Kyle M.]

What did your exhaust cost ya if you don't mind me askin.....I am gonna have to make a custom Y pipe, but I might just buy some U bends and make something work.