1996 Ford F150 4.9L (300ci) I6 5MT 4x4

[Christ]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Speaking of O2 sensors incl. heated ones, is there a good way to clean em? All I've come across is soak em in gasoline. Would carb or brake or MAF sensor cleaners work? Don't want to hurt the dang thing either.

It depends on what's wrong w/ it, for the most part.

If it's really caked up with carbon, then no, you won't be able to get it clean.

On most accounts, that's not the case, so there are a few ways to clean semi-loose deposits from inside.

Coca-Cola (a week or two soaking) then tap it vigorously on a hard surface.

MAPP torch (propane works, but takes longer) until it's basically orange-red, then tap it vigorously on a hard surface.

Lemon juice (same concept as the coke.. and tap tap tap away.)

Starting to see a pattern here?

If you have access to it, anything in compressed form that will get insanely cold as you spray it (like oxygen, CO2, etc...), since carbon deposits' thermal expansion is different than the metal, the carbon should break when you freeze it quickly and (guess... go ahead...) tap it on something hard vigorously.

No solvent will remove carbon deposits which are solid or plastic-like, that I'm aware of, so you have to break the surface of the carbon deposits so that the solvent/whatever can get behind it.

Method doesn't matter if it's heated or not, you won't damage the heat element since it's enclosed in a part of the sensor.

[Christ]

You can try MAF or brake/carb cleaner, they shouldn't hurt the sensor at all.

[Christ]

Just to remind myself, I'm still working on turning a pre-FI 300 into a diesel engine.

Anyone know where I should be looking for an injection pump that can handle 6 cylinders? I think the 6BT pump will be a little much for a 4.9L? Maybe I can get one of those and turn it back, though...

Ultimately, I'd like to convert this F150 to diesel. I think that if I can get the 300ci to run diesel, that'd be "the cat's meow" in terms of swap-ability, and still looking somewhat stock. (Even having basically the same engine, with minor changes, different head, different exhaust manifold, since I'd be using an EFI intake with the "box" cut back, and the standard log exhaust manifold, most likely.)

[comptiger5000]

I'd say get a pump from a 6BT, DT360, DT466, or any other I6 diesel. You'll need to turn the fuel back, especially for an NA application, but it will work.

[Christ]

Ok, next question (which probably should be in it's own thread)...

What injectors do I use? Does it matter where they come from, or are they matched to the pump, etc.?

These are all things I don't know for sure about diesel engines.

[IsaacCarlson]

those crank powered fans suck gas. I have to find an electric before i remove mine.

[Frank Lee]

I took mine off. And that's it. No fan.

[comptiger5000]

Personally, I wouldn't run fanless unless it was a highway-only vehicle in a flat area, that was never loaded up, used in weather over 60 - 70*, or had any risk of getting stuck in traffic. Asking for trouble, IMO.

[suspectnumber961]

Originally Posted by Christ

Rub down the frame with a cup brush and clean off dirt/scale/etc and coat it to prevent further rust.

It's my opinion that the best thing is to try and coat the INSIDE of the box frames...if that's what you have...with oil...rust on the outside is just cosmetic?

At least with the Japanese trucks that's how it works.

I was considering the Ford 300 6 4x4 as a camper truck...maybe a good thing I didn't since I can manage 25 mpg highway with the Nissan 4x4.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by comptiger5000

Personally, I wouldn't run fanless unless it was a highway-only vehicle in a flat area, that was never loaded up, used in weather over 60 - 70*, or had any risk of getting stuck in traffic. Asking for trouble, IMO.

Maybe you should try it THEN come to a conclusion.