Intake questions from a new B2 owner

[armntwjb]

After a ton of searching I finally got my hands on an 86 Bronco II. Of course, with the crazy good deal I got on it, I expected a few issues. The biggest one was the common sputtering and loss of power that I attributed to my cat being clogged and some fouled plugs.

However, I don't think I'm getting enough air, either. It's hot in humid down here and I noticed the tremendous difference when I removed the lid from the box and revved the engine.

I'm not trying to swap out for a cone and suck in nothing but hot air from under the hood. Should I take that flimsy cover off at the front of the intake, behind the headlight? Anyone have any good recommendations for a filter brand that'll fit the box? I'm on a military budget, so I try to find the cheapest solutions possible that still yield good results.

 

[adsm08]

Try removing the air duct that comes in the bottom of the box. It may be restricted some how. I have seen lots of wierd things happen to vehicles that sat just a short period of time, including a ball of string that took up the whole intake manifold.

Postin' from teh Galaxy

 

[armntwjb]

Well, the duct was pretty clean, but I after some tinkering around I did notice something odd.

After punching in the part number on my ICV it matched up to an 88 scorpio. Should that ring any alarms? I don't believe the 88 ford scorp was a 2.9, but I don't know if that makes a difference (oops, I spoke too soon. After some google power, I found the American Scorpio line came with a 2.9). I just know that mine looks a bit different from the ICVs I see sticking out of B2 engines.

 

[adsm08]

The Scorpios did have a 2.9L. The IAC ( I assume this is what you mean by the "ICV") should not effect off-idle operation.

 

[armntwjb]

Yeah, I didn't consider the merkur's had the same engine. How do you feel about feeding air from the fender instead of the grill?

 

[adsm08]

Well, it can't be any worse. I ran for two years with headers and the heater pipe off, so I was always sucking some air from the engine bay and never had an issue.

 

[armntwjb]

Cool, I appreciate the help. I'll try that out for a little bit and see if it improves.

 

[chazzone]

The lower intake is the same on the Ranger/Bronco II and Scorpio. The uppers are different. You can match the upper and lower and get better flow, but the air cleaner assembly is not a restriction.

 

[adsm08]

The lower intake is the same on the Ranger/Bronco II and Scorpio. The uppers are different. You can match the upper and lower and get better flow, but the air cleaner assembly is not a restriction.

I think you misunderstand my premise. I agree that under normal operation the stock setup is not a restriction. The OP said that he has low power issues which improve when he takes the air box lid off. Given the improvement I am saying that it is possible that the intake duct from the grille has become restricted (a mouse built a nest or something).

Depending on what he wants to do with the vehicle pulling from the wheel well can be better than the factory setup. It won't suck and hold water in the bend for one.

 

[wildbill23c]

When I got my 84 B2 home it had an aftermarket air filter on it which eliminated the whole factory 2.8L air filter box, can't remember the brand of the air filter but it kind of reminded me of a K&N. I was able to get a hold of a factory air filter housing and tube assembly and put it back to factory and haven't had an issue.

My guess is like ADSM said, there's something plugging up the factory air intake duct, the engine just isn't getting enough air. I haven't noticed a difference since going back to the factory air intake and air box so you've got a severe air intake restriction somewhere or a massive vacuum leak.

 

[chazzone]

I agree that if there is a real difference, the the air passage may be clogged, but drawing from the wheel well would be my last choice. In any kind of a rain event, there will be potential for lots of water to be blowing up in the wheel house, not to mention mud if he's ever off road, and I'm not sure how you'd bring that into the factory box without a good bit of that water coming in, too.
it would seem to make a lot more sense to just remove and restriction in the factory system. Nothing is hard to get to, and who wants to be driving around with a mouse nest in their truck, regardless of where it is.
Now, if he wants to do a cowl induction project, then that's another kettle of fish.