410Custom's builds a 2007 Ranger V8 - custom truck build - Project "Ranger Premier"

[Josh P]

My opinion is tuning issue. Not your fault.

I'm wondering if the pushrods had anything to do with it? It was stated it ran better and quit smoking after they were replaced.

 

[JoshT]

My opinion is tuning issue. Not your fault.


Edit dumb question time.
Any codes? Is stock ecm used in this setup?

How are trouble codes logged and saved?

No it's running a Holley system. Terminator X Max IIRC.

Y'all keep talking about it being lean and a tuning issue. Is it lean because of the tune, or is it lean because of the dead cylinder causing it to think it was running rich? If the ECU thought it was running rich due to unburned fuel from the dead cylinder it would have been leaning the mixture. These holley systems don't have the same protections built in that a stock ECU does.

 

[Turdle]

I need to ask another ?

Is a wideband O2 sensor used for the Holley system, or, does it use stock sensors?

 

[JoshT]

Considering where that piston is broken at, rings would be my first suspect, not a lean condition.

 

[Turdle]

Could be, but every ping burned piston I've seen is on the edge like that, in the inner ( lifter valley wall ) side, where it has less cooling,

 

[Turdle]

Holley = wideband.

The issue I have is, one sensor, which assumes the other bank is behaving the same.
And
To properly calibrate a wideband, it must be removed from pipe and calibrated in clean cool air.

If the reset button or function is selected with it in the pipe, calibration ,or, zero O2 will be off.

But then, tv shows a lot of success with the Holley. Anyone here successful with it yet? Asking seriously,not bashing.

 

[JoshT]

But then, tv shows a lot of success with the Holley. Anyone here successful with it yet? Asking seriously,not bashing.

Depends on what you call successful. My 68 F-100 is running a Holley Sniper system. Put it on in 2018 and only problem I've had is the IACV failing.
It is running off the Wizard tune and runs well, though I know it can be improved with professional tuning. I will admit that 6 years of ownership only consists of a several hundred miles of usage, well I'm sure it's proably closer to 1500 at this point.

Due to condition of truck and lack of an A/C system it doesn't get driven often or far. It starts and goes every time I turn the key. It's probably the next big project on the list after I finish with my 99 Ranger V8 swap and drop.

 

[CDW6212R]

Depends on what you call successful. My 68 F-100 is running a Holley Sniper system. Put it on in 2018 and only problem I've had is the IACV failing.
It is running off the Wizard tune and runs well, though I know it can be improved with professional tuning. I will admit that 6 years of ownership only consists of a several hundred miles of usage, well I'm sure it's proably closer to 1500 at this point.

Due to condition of truck and lack of an A/C system it doesn't get driven often or far. It starts and goes every time I turn the key. It's probably the next big project on the list after I finish with my 99 Ranger V8 swap and drop.

That Holley Sniper system is a TBI correct, I'm guessing? I have the 2nd gen Holley TBI, the first 4 hole TBI and analog, prior to a MAP sensor of any kind. I bought it in the 1990 range when EFI was very new, and aftermarket systems were few/none. I have yet to use it, read bad things of course, but some liked it who spent a lot of time tuning it properly. I need one for my 73 351C Ranchero that has an Edelbrock that isn't right, and I'm not rebuilding it if I have a choice.


EFI tuning is very powerful, done tight it's awesome, wrong or with mistakes, boat anchor time. I hope this works out Jamie, you'll be extra careful about tuning for sure. Fingers crossed here,

 

[410Fortune]

Well it’s could be several things all leading to this
If it’s a tuning issue it’s our fault for driving it so far prior to tune (in learn mode)
After speaking w owner more about what went down the tune that was done is what fixed the lean condition
(Lean was either trying to tune an already broken engine or created by driving it too much pre tune in learn mode)

This is my first Holley

It could also have been fuel in crank case and all that cranking
It could be I dropped something in engine during assembly, I mean you assemble 100
Engines they can’t all be perfect
It could have been 1/4” too much pushrod stressing the lifters
Could be we put a new cam in a used engine
Could be it had a ring issue when I put it together and the poor Holley dude is trying to tune a broken engine
Could be the d shaft coming apart sent a shockwave through the longblock?

At the end of the day, I may call this engine a boat anchor but it’s a builder. I keep
All 302 cores that can be saved

I’m trying to blame the tuner guy that is for sure…I am curious about being a remote tuner though… I mean that’s gotta be some serious liability insurance (like we carry in the flooring or elevator business)
Gotta really know what you are doing to be that guy! I’m not looking for revenge hahaha I’m looking to learn

My brain just trying to solve this puzzle so we learn from the mistakes

Moving on!

Here’s the rest of the pics
I’m about to put my gauge on the cam lobes and measure them see if I can figure that out and take down some
Measurements



It’s just my dumb luck that the truck that is furthest From the shop is the most custom build and the one with all the issues hahaha

Another thing Of interest, this engine stinks. Smells very foul, like old gear lube. I’ve never had an Engine smell bad.. as soon as I removed the head Bolts I could smell it

 

[410Fortune]

During my research when installing the Holley, I read about several mustang and early broncos where they were still driving it in learn mode and it was running and driving fine. I experienced the same thing. Truck was running fine in learn mode for me.
First 600+ miles no issue
The a/f ratio gauge is normally green… would drop to yellow for just a second or two and return to green. We figured this is normal during learn mode


It broke 880 miles from home after catastrophic driveline faikure that was bad enough to blow a fuse?

and she still made it home
To me that is a good truck!!! Leaking atf with broken mount Bolts, down at least one piston… but got Eddie home

Yeah buddy that’s why I do fords

 

[410Fortune]

There are not trouble codes with Holley that I’m aware of
You set parameters and it can display engine vitals in the screen. We have a/f ratio
Coolant temp and I’m trying to get it to display oil pressure

It does have the 7 led lights on the pcm as long as they are green the Holley is happy

It also saves live data so you can look see how it’s been running

 

[Turdle]

Which fuse blew?

 

[410Fortune]

One for Holley pcm power feed from
Pjb under hood ( I used one of the factory pcm power circuit)

Cam and cylinder one valves

I setup dial indicator on cam lobes
I was able to measure cyl 1 3 5 and 8 before the stupid rod bent on this cheapo cam checker fixture
All intake lobes rise to same measurements
Same for exhaust
Cam looks flawless

Nothing in the head jumps out at me

 

[Turdle]

Only reason for valve soot is low compression running after failure. Looks ok so far to me.
Edit


There is some wear on the cam, but I would expect more scuffing, or, even a seized lifter roller axle if the pushrod length was to blame. No?

 

[Josh P]

Does the Holley have the ability to change the amount of fuel for each cylinder individually

 

[410Fortune]

detonation for sure
ive been looking at pics of failed 302 pistons
and learning how to read failed rings and piston issues

I believe the holley fires injectors same as factory pcm batch fire
but i have never asked that question
how long they are open determines how much fuel is delivered
right now the tune is set for factory 99-01, 19# injectors at 64 psi rail pressure returnless


put that on the list could have been a bad injector
I bench test each one before install even new in box

 

[410Fortune]

I think I am safe to run this cam and springs in the new powerplant

 

[JoshT]

That Holley Sniper system is a TBI correct, I'm guessing?

Yes


I'll be the naysayer. I still don't think it was the Holley's fault. Vast majoirty of Holley systems have been installed and run off of the wizard setup and self learn mode with no issues. Unless you've got some wild combination the wizard will get the base tune good enough for running. As long as the engine parameters were entered right, but should run forever. Now if there were other issues then it could cause the self learn to go bad and cause problems, but those are not the fault of the holley system.

I suspect that what ever damage was done was started prior to the tuning session, and possibly worsened by the tuner trying to tune around an unknown condition.

I wouldn't expect to be able to get anything out of the tuner in regards to liability. Unless an established business I doubt that they would carry insurance for that, and either way the onus would be on you to attempt to prove that his work caused the problem. You would likely spend more on trying to get something out of the tuner than fixing it and moving on.

I would be more likely to buy into detonation as an effect here rather than a cause.

We can speculate behind a screen all day long, we aren't there seeing what you are seeing in person. Even from where you are standing, without hard numbers from when the engine was running, all that can really be done is guess. Fix it and carry on.

 

[allmyEXes]

Kind of hard to see the oil color in the pics. Is it a gray murky color?

 

[Turdle]

With lots of oily stuff in intake tube?

Pcv inlet to intake air tube oily?