Confused....new truck owner...

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10-31-2011, 08:09 PM
DBraveman

Confused....new truck owner...

Hello,
New member here with a question. First let me describe my recently aquired truck. It's a Ford F150 Lightning with a Chevy 383 Stroker motor in it....yeah, I know, I know...very unusual and we can talk about it any other time, but right now the issue is the engine possibly
having bad gas.....
Here are the symptoms:
-Loss of power,self explanatory
-Not holding the rpm...this is driving me nuts...I've filled up this truck's gas tank 3 times and not until the third(same gas station the last two times) is when these issues started happening. Gas consumption has doubled and I need to step on the gas to keep the rpm at 2500 for it not to slip all the way down and shut off...
I dropped off my truck at the shop so I'll find out exactly what's wrong but I thought this would be a good way to introduce myself to this forum.

BTW, here's a link to a video to give you an idea of my beast
http://www.youtube.com/user/elchulod.../0/wy7eOfV5Oh4
10-31-2011, 09:15 PM
1gary

Can you tell us what kind of induction your using??.Are you using a in-tank fuel pump??.
10-31-2011, 10:23 PM
DBraveman

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1gary

Can you tell us what kind of induction your using??.Are you using a in-tank fuel pump??.

It is an exterior fuel pump....I didn't think of anything being defective since the engine is fairly new(only 2k miles)by I guess we cannot exclude that....
As far as the engine,
383 stroker, edelbrock victor jr heads ,750 holley carb, flowmaster dual exhaust, about 425 hp
Anyways...
10-31-2011, 10:59 PM
1gary

In line fuel filter and a fuel regulator with the proper fuel pressure??.
10-31-2011, 11:26 PM
jyardgirl

sounds like you might have gotten water in your fuel.
11-01-2011, 05:25 AM
hawk56

Are you running Catalytic Converters ???
11-01-2011, 06:11 PM
DBraveman

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyardgirl

sounds like you might have gotten water in your fuel.

Got the call from my mechanic. In addition to water in the gas,he also found sand,dirt and small plastic particles......what the heck?
He also said the carb was so clogged up, it was barely dripping any gas, so it has to be professionaly cleaned and restored.
That cleaning almost cost as much as a new carburator, which makes me wonder if I should just go ahead and get a new carb and possibly go smaller , like a 600...
What do you think?
11-01-2011, 06:20 PM
Dave Severson

A kit for a Holley is about $40.00 and they sure as heck aren't that difficult to rebuild........
11-01-2011, 06:33 PM
cffisher

A locking gas cap may be in order
11-02-2011, 08:19 AM
Dave Severson

Probably a case of the patient rejecting the transplant!!!
11-02-2011, 09:51 AM
jerry clayton

Now you know why the guy sold it--bet his former friends told him not to put the chevy in it or he would be sorry!!!!!!
11-02-2011, 10:34 AM
rspears

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Probably a case of the patient rejecting the transplant!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Now you know why the guy sold it--bet his former friends told him not to put the chevy in it or he would be sorry!!!!!!

Can't argue with these two guys! But to each his own, I suppose....
11-02-2011, 06:11 PM
DBraveman

Quote:

Originally Posted by rspears

Can't argue with these two guys! But to each his own, I suppose....

Ok ...so a Hot Rod Club is offended by my Hot Rod, because it's a Hot Rod......

Now I'm even more confused.........geeesh
11-02-2011, 06:28 PM
rspears

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBraveman

Ok ...so a Hot Rod Club is offended by my Hot Rod, because it's a Hot Rod......

Now I'm even more confused.........geeesh

Nah, no one's offended, just offering some comments on what you have to admit is a very unusual combination. You'd get the same if you brought a classic '68 Camaro or a nice 'Vette with Ford power, or a cool early model Challenger with either Chevy or Ford engine. For me, I understand dropping a SBC in a classic (pre '49) street rod, but it's just not the way for me - Ford in Ford is a mantra. Saw a very, very nice shoebox Ford at the KC Goodguys this summer, but when I looked in and saw a super clean, very nicely done Chevy LT1 sitting there I turned away shaking my head - just does not fit for me. Whatever floats your boat is fine, but be ready for continued comments from the blue oval guys.
11-02-2011, 07:03 PM
Dave Severson

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBraveman

Ok ...so a Hot Rod Club is offended by my Hot Rod, because it's a Hot Rod......

Now I'm even more confused.........geeesh

I'm not offended---I think the truck is!!!!!! Heck, that engine is in a better home now then it could have been before!!!!!
11-02-2011, 07:37 PM
billy zz

good thing i have no brand loyalty.

ford 302 in 27 chevy
11-02-2011, 07:48 PM
DBraveman

Quote:

Originally Posted by rspears

Nah, no one's offended, just offering some comments on what you have to admit is a very unusual combination. You'd get the same if you brought a classic '68 Camaro or a nice 'Vette with Ford power, or a cool early model Challenger with either Chevy or Ford engine. For me, I understand dropping a SBC in a classic (pre '49) street rod, but it's just not the way for me - Ford in Ford is a mantra. Saw a very, very nice shoebox Ford at the KC Goodguys this summer, but when I looked in and saw a super clean, very nicely done Chevy LT1 sitting there I turned away shaking my head - just does not fit for me. Whatever floats your boat is fine, but be ready for continued comments from the blue oval guys.

Yes, it is an unusual combination....I would've never done it but , it is what it is and I got an incredible deal, no one would've passed on this deal.
I just don't have additional funds to make a switch....I guess the first step would be
to find a buyer for this set up....

It bothers me, though, when people bash on the truck unaware that all I did was find a good bargain......it's all good, though. I love my truck.
11-02-2011, 07:51 PM
Dave Severson

Don't think anyone here was bashing the truck..... But when you run a Brand X with a Brand Y engine, you'd better be expecting people to give you crap about it..... It's called brand loyalty, many folks have it.
11-02-2011, 07:52 PM
BO-C-FUS

haha hey man dont let the shop do your work for you carb rebuild kits are cheap and it would definetly be worth the prosess
11-02-2011, 09:06 PM
rspears

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBraveman

Yes, it is an unusual combination....I would've never done it but , it is what it is and I got an incredible deal, no one would've passed on this deal.
I just don't have additional funds to make a switch....I guess the first step would be
to find a buyer for this set up....

It bothers me, though, when people bash on the truck unaware that all I did was find a good bargain......it's all good, though. I love my truck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Don't think anyone here was bashing the truck..... But when you run a Brand X with a Brand Y engine, you'd better be expecting people to give you crap about it..... It's called brand loyalty, many folks have it.

And that's probably why you got the "bargain" - lots of people will look at a Lightning with a Chevy engine as something that's just too weird, but others might be intrigued by the "difference". On a truck that new you've got a very limited market that will even consider it, IMO. Not bashing the truck at all, just the concept.
01-01-2012, 07:33 PM
DBraveman

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy 2012!

Thanks for the compliments and even the negative, I've learned to accept them...it's all good...

Here's my truck..
A very unique F150 SVT Lightning!! - YouTube