New owner, many questions...

[TDW]

I recently purchased an 86 Ford e350 van. I've started going through it, and there are some small issues as of now.

1. Power steering pump is leaking. I saw on the internet that I can by a seal kit. Any comments or considerations?

2. The Van is not registered or insured in my name yet (still waiting on title from the seller, which is a whole other issue) but I've driven it around a bit, and after filling the tank the fuel gauge is dropping quickly. I was told to expect 18-20 mpg. Maybe this is just an inaccurate gauge issue? I haven't been able to locate a fuel leak so far. Any thoughts?

3. I plan on installing a WVO system in this van. Has anyone had experience doing so? What types of parts should I be looking for?

This site is awesome. Among my friends and people I associate with, I'm the only person I know who is into this stuff. It's good to see other Portlanders are on this forum. Any wisdom and knowledge is much appreciated.

 

[psychohawk]

2. but I've driven it around a bit, and after filling the tank the fuel gauge is dropping quickly. I was told to expect 18-20 mpg. Maybe this is just an inaccurate gauge issue? I haven't been able to locate a fuel leak so far. Any thoughts?

3. I plan on installing a WVO system in this van. Has anyone had experience doing so? What types of parts should I be looking for?

1) Based on the WVO comment I'm going to assume you have the 6.9 N/A diesel, and based on the picture, assume it's a 2 wheel drive. Based on my assumptions, your MPG should be 12 - 14 ... someone else will have to comment on the size of a E class fuel tank.

2) Check your speedo with a GPS. If your speed is reading appreciably different than actual, it will affect your hand calculated MPG.

3) Try to not immediately concern yourself with simple MPG guesses without filling your tank full and depleting the tank ... repeat three times, same level of fill, same fuel station and average the results.

3) Time your injector pump and check your fuel screw ... if out of tune and/or fuel screw turned and lot of black smoke, excessive fuel negatively affects your MPG. What's your truck do under load?

4) Tires/suspension good?

5) Please add vehicle description to sig.

Just my thoughts, good luck and oh, 18-20 MPG seems a little optimistic. Maybe in a perfect state of tune, over inflated tires and a tail wind ...

Carl

 

[plywood]

Hey, alright, I posted that Van on here a couple days ago.

I liked it but out of money right now and I kind of like four wheel drive.

Anyway, glad to see a Boob man owns it.

As far as the fuel gauge goes, the gauges are notoriously inaccurate, I may have a fix for that year shortly, I'll let you know if it works. One of my tanks used to show empty after using six gallons.

Not sure about the power steering pump, but I'm sure someone will know.

 

[Brutis]

Welcome to Oilburners!

Welcome! Glad you found the best forum on the internet. There are a lot of really knowledgeable guys on here who will be able to answer your questions. I'm sure you'll really love your new IDI diesel.

I'm a learning enthusiast, not an expert but it is possible that your gauge may be malfunctioning. 18 mpg sounds reasonable for your vehicle. I get over 15mpg in my 1990 F-350 (in my Avatar) and it weighs over 10,000lbs empty

 

[TDW]

Wow, quick response!

I was pretty skeptical about 20 MPG, but I'll find out soon enough, once I get her legal. I figured that the gauge dropping from just under full to under 3/4 in a couple of blocks was a bit fishy without a leak. I'll probably will be getting into those tanks to install heat exchangers pretty soon anyway, so I'll probably will look into fixing or replacing the sensor.

There's some videos on you tube that show Hydrogen production for potential fuel MPG increased efficiency. Fact, or Farce? Any opinions?

I'm looking forward to learning more. As a self taught mechanic, I can always use good advice because I know how it is to learn the "Hard way"

 

[RLDSL]

for an e350 I wouldn't hold my breath for 20 mpg Look on your door tag for the axle code and report back what it is and we can get a better idea if that is close to doable.
You don't need to wait till you get the thing tagged in your name to insure it , I always add new vehicles on to my policy the moment I pick them up, even though, legally your insurance is *supposed* to cover you on a new vehicle you purchase for X number of days before you have to oficially have to add it on to the policy( I believe it's 10, but don't take my word for it ).

 

[TDW]

Here's some data:

Made by Contempo Vans

GWR- 9000 lbs, 4082 Kg
GVWR - 6600
Front GVWR - 3400 with P255/75R15
Rear GVWR - 3406 with P255/75R15
Axle - 33
Tires - 15X61/2JJ

I understand how torque and ratios work to a certain extent, but I need some schooling about what these numbers pertain to.

Thanks!

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I recently purchased an 86 Ford e350 van. I've started going through it, and there are some small issues as of now.

1. Power steering pump is leaking. I saw on the internet that I can by a seal kit. Any comments or considerations?

2. The Van is not registered or insured in my name yet (still waiting on title from the seller, which is a whole other issue) but I've driven it around a bit, and after filling the tank the fuel gauge is dropping quickly. I was told to expect 18-20 mpg. Maybe this is just an inaccurate gauge issue? I haven't been able to locate a fuel leak so far. Any thoughts?

3. I plan on installing a WVO system in this van. Has anyone had experience doing so? What types of parts should I be looking for?

This site is awesome. Among my friends and people I associate with, I'm the only person I know who is into this stuff. It's good to see other Portlanders are on this forum. Any wisdom and knowledge is much appreciated.

Welcome; and YES, this site is awesome; lots of good help here.


In the real world, you will most likely average more like 10-MPG; be real happy if it gets 15.


With a little age on them, the fuel-gauge senders can really go haywire.

Starting with a FULL tank, it might read way past FULL, then a gallon later -- drop below E, then two gallons later -- jump back to 3/4, etc., etc.

I replaced my old worn-out senders with some from J.C.Whitney; sixteen-bucks apiece and they perform flawlessly, way better than the original units.


I would ditch the WVO idea until you are intimately familiar with the idiosyncrancies of the diesel engine and your engine in particular; even old salts run into un-foreseen difficulties when they start messing with WVO.

 

[TDW]

Welcome; and YES, this site is awesome; lots of good help here.


In the real world, you will most likely average more like 10-MPG; be real happy if it gets 15.


With a little age on them, the fuel-gauge senders can really go haywire.

Starting with a FULL tank, it might read way past FULL, then a gallon later -- drop below E, then two gallons later -- jump back to 3/4, etc., etc.

I replaced my old worn-out senders with some from J.C.Whitney; sixteen-bucks apiece and they perform flawlessly, way better than the original units.


I would ditch the WVO idea until you are intimately familiar with the idiosyncrancies of the diesel engine and your engine in particular; even old salts run into un-foreseen difficulties when they start messing with WVO.

Thanks for verifying my diagnosis. I'll look into finding parts.

If I am able to determine that the engine is solid, I will then consider alternative fuel options. I plan on continuing to communicate about this in the near future. But first I have to get the Van ready for a two week summer tour in July.

 

[plywood]

I would ditch the WVO idea until you are intimately familiar with the idiosyncrancies of the diesel engine and your engine in particular; even old salts run into un-foreseen difficulties when they start messing with WVO.

Could not agree more.

 

[RLDSL]

Here's some data:

Made by Contempo Vans

GWR- 9000 lbs, 4082 Kg
GVWR - 6600
Front GVWR - 3400 with P255/75R15
Rear GVWR - 3406 with P255/75R15
Axle - 33
Tires - 15X61/2JJ

I understand how torque and ratios work to a certain extent, but I need some schooling about what these numbers pertain to.

Thanks!

OK Axle code 33 -Dana 6250 3.54 gear ratio open diff. With the weight of that critter, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for 20 mpg. 10
in town and 12-15 hwy will be more likely. if you have a real steady foot , you may get 18 or better with that rear, but it requires a real steady foot

 

[jim_22]

Yep, I run WVO and was an "expert" on another vehicle before I bought my IDI, but I would not even consider it before running through a least a couple of oil changes to
"recommission" the van. There will be issues (you have come to the right place to get help to fix them) that you may never be able to resolve easily if you throw the WVO variable at an engine whose performance and idiosyncrasies are not known to you.

 

[Chevyboy_0]

Welcome to OB and thas a pretty sweet looking van ya got there

I replaced my old worn-out senders with some from J.C.Whitney; sixteen-bucks apiece and they perform flawlessly, way better than the original units.

sorry for the hijack but could you post the part numbers for the sending units please?

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Welcome to OB and thas a pretty sweet looking van ya got there



sorry for the hijack but could you post the part numbers for the sending units please?

I just spent the last several minutes trying to navigate J.C.Whitney's " new and improved " site and had no luck at all; before they screwed up their site, I could go straight to it, picture and all; now I can't find anything.

Why do people always have to screw up a good thing ??

Advance Auto did the same thing; they used to have a really great site, complete with easy cross-references and simple to navigate; now their site is useless.


I still have the boxes somewhere in the shop; if I can find them, I will get the actual part-number straight off the box.

 

[RLDSL]

Advance Auto did the same thing; they used to have a really great site, complete with easy cross-references and simple to navigate; now their site is useless.

I'm glad it isn't just me, I thought I was going crazy. I've still got my shop account with an Advance that's only about a quarter mile away, and I used to look my parts up ahead and run over with a list, but anymore all I can do with that website is throw up my hands I hate to waste time over there, but the morons leave me no choice.