Building a 4.9 for E85 and/or woodgas
 

I want to build up a Ford 300 six-cylinder to run on E85 and/or woodgas. Both fuels call for increased compression and advanced timing to optimize performance. A race shop will do the machine work and then guide me in the rebuilding process. But... what hardware should I use?

The vehicle is a '95 F-150. Rather than try to adapt the OBD-1 system, I'm thinking about the Megasquirt fuel injection route.

What are some pistons available to get max compression? Unlike a Chevy 350 or Ford 302, the aftermarket doesn't have much to offer for the Ford 300. Some have said pistons out of a 400 will work.

Any thoughts on cam profiles? Suggestions for building a non-flex fuel engine optimized for alternative fuels? I have been an efficiency nut for years and these days, I really like domestic fuels that I can make, hence alcohol and wood.

Sounds like an interesting project!

Other than that, I have nothing useful to add, sorry. :)

Have you checked Ford Six Performance Home/Index

Are you sure you need to do anything to the FI system, maybe 20% larger injectors. If not going to run it 80%+ doubt you really need those, you will probably get a CEL for a lean situation, but if like all newer cars, they keep up unless really working them hard. Don't know anything about wood gas, talking E70/85 only.

I want to build the engine specifically to run on E85 and woodgas. Both call for increased combustion and advanced timing. I can put all I know about fuel injection electronic controls in a thimble and still have room. I don't know how the flame behaves during the combustion event in E85 as compared to woodgas. Lots to learn.

The Fordsix forum is good as well as a few other Ford sites.

I visited with the owner of the race engine shop yesterday. He said they could do the machine work and I could assemble the engine in their shop under their direction. When they rebuild an engine, it is balanced, blueprinted and everything.

My plan now is to build the gasifier and run the truck on a chassis dyno to see how much power it produces on regular gasoline and woodgas. There should be a 35% or more drop in horsepower on woodgas compared to gasoline. Then, build up the engine and run it on the chassis dyno again to see how much power it makes. Hopefully, we can regain most if not all the horsepower lost on woodgas AND be able to cruise on E85 as a fall back fuel.