Got a Focus and WOW !!!

[mcrews]

Beatr,
I drove a Taurus (not sure what yr but the last yr produced) and it didnot reduce the rpms when shifted in neutral.

[Dizle]

Going to pickup some Autolite 103's today and gap at .055, I'll let everyone know if my mpg's get better! That thread is really helpful for plug info. Also going to order an UltaGauge, tired of guessing what works best to achieve good fuel economy.

[suspectnumber961]

Squeezing the MPG's out of a Zetec.... - Page 2 - Focus Fanatics

UPDATE;

Running ethanol free gas provided a 6% increase in gas mileage. This was a pretty accurate test as it was my average driving comparison.

Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada

Originally Posted by Blazr

mcrews,

The thing that surprised me the most was how relatively easy it is to get better than EPA mileage. Do a few simple things and you get better mileage. It's too bad more people haven't figured this out yet. Haven't striped a pound off either car and don't intend to.

[suspectnumber961]

Originally Posted by beatr911

Question on fuel cut. I don't get decel fuel cut unless the engine gets above like 3000 rpm first, then it will cut to about 1300 or so. Is this normal? Seems it should initiate cut well below 3k.
I also have neutral coasting rpm at like 1900rpm. I have to coast really fast to get the scangauge above 100mpg.

With my Zetec 2 L auto 03...I rarely see a fuel cut. RPMs when coasting with my auto are usually pretty low...about the same as resting idle warm.

I'm going to try the copper plugs and change them out 1x per yr.......currently running Autolite double plats

info...

"Copper - short life, best performance (and mileage)
Platinum - long life, worst performance
Iridium - long life, performance between copper and platinum (hence their pricetag)"

...


The "Correct" Acetone for Automotive Fuel Testing - Gas Savers - Fuel Efficiency Forum

There is 100% Acetone and then there's C.P. 100% Acetone

The usual stuff has a additive, however small in molecular terms that makes it unusable for making C4 or whatever boom stuff the commies and others make for illegal purposes..

And YES, using it with Ethanol poisoned fuel, does have a minimal effect, using it on Alcohol free gasoline does have some positive effects.

2 of us old wrenches, [over 55] that are technically astute and have tools such as a/f ratio meters for carb'd vehicles,, have noticed some positive effects.

On older GM units, 92 4.3, 96 4.3, 2000 2.2L all exhibited the same effect using alcohol contaminated fuels.

Faster Starts
More Power in High Gear w/Torque Converter Locked
Better Hill pulling power at partial throttle
Minimal Economy increase, we were not scientific enough to post, but a little gain.

There was NO obvious Improvement at WOT in any vehicle.
We did No GPS or electronic devices to monitor.

On a old 25hp Mercury Outboard, it started easier, idled with much less shake in the throttle handle..

We NOW have Alcohol Free fuel available locally and plan to do some lengthy testing. I.E. ONE tank of fuel is not a test. Several tanks "averaged" out is ..

A positive point is the acetone did clean the injectors on each unit also on my Ford 2600 Gasoline Tractor it cleaned the carb so I don't have to run the choke full time anymore.

The Mixtures we used;

#1
65% Acetone
33% Xylene
a small amount of synthetic 2-cycle oil, enough to "color" the mix

#2
75% Acetone
25% Xylene
Ditto on the two cycle oil

In a one gallon container, we'd use about 1-tsp of 2-stroke oil.

.....

I'm currently using 3 oz / 10 G at a 50/50 mix acetone/xylol with some 2 cycle oil.

[suspectnumber961]

Found a Motorcraft set at O'Reillys AP....other stores didn't have them...Ford dealer had some coppers for $10 each. Autolite coppers are 2xs as much.

Even at O'Reillys they had to order them...next day for ~ $10/set of 4.

part #s are Motorcraft SP-463 and AZFFS22C...both numbers are on the box. Second number is on the plug.

Same plug shell and nose length as the double plats...but core is copper.

Assuming 1 mpg gain....that's $30 saved over a yr for a $10 investment.


notes:

* found the threads bunged up on a couple of these plugs...same with the previous Autolite plats...need to use a triangle file to clean them up

* when looking down on the piston tops thru the plug hole it seems my PCV jar (Condensator) and use of Techron and now acetone has cleaned up the top of the pistons some...still some carbon...but maybe 50% clean alum showing thru....before I saw all carbon.

COULD run a quart of water into the intake and see ALL alum...but the O2s cost too much to replace.

This engine uses almost no oil....knock on Al Luminium.

[Blazr]

I got a set of Autolite copper core 103 plugs at Autozone for $1.99 each. The engine runs very smoothly and seems to like the plugs. At some point I may see what improvement, if any, I might get by side gaping the plugs. I did that in my Ford Probe and it did improve performance and gas mileage.

[suspectnumber961]

LaPointe recommended drilling a hole in the ground strap directly centered over the center electrode....you'll probably need to do this by chucking the plug in a lathe. I tried hand drilling a few once...didn't go so good.

Side gapping is easier...OK if you expect to change out the plugs 1x per yr?

[beatr911]

My '05 ST has been getting just about 33mpg with a mix of 1/3 city and 2/3 highway. Good but not great. Shooting for 40.

The key to my previous engine issues was the thermostat being stuck open. Gauge read correct within a few miles but the heater wasn't hot, just warm. The scangauge accurately showed a wide varaince in temps indicating the 'stat wasn't regulating. I found the stock gauge shows the same between about 140* up to at least 215*. Guess that's why they call them "idiot gauges".

Now replacing all bushings with poly and all new SVT suspension which lowers the car .5". Full undertray after that.

Last is playing with intake cam timing for a mild atkinson effect, or more dynamic compression whichever works best. These motors have infinitely adjustable cam gears, just have to make a tool to do a calibrated adjustment.

[justme1969]

Originally Posted by mcrews

Beatr,
I drove a Taurus (not sure what yr but the last yr produced) and it didnot reduce the rpms when shifted in neutral.

Bought 02 Tarus wagon yesterday and immediatly ran down the road and neutral dropped it the throttle actually went up to 1600 rpm about 500 higher than it was when I N and it stayed there for 12 seconds. very strange...
I see this will take me some time to figure out mods for unless someone already tackled this car ...
This car body is in vg cond. so screwing mods on isnt happening.

[mcrews]

cant coast on nuetral/engine on in a tarus. Had the same experience.