Sluggish 200 - Any Ideas?

[Anonymous]

I bought a 63 Falcon wagon with a 71 Maverick 200 cu in drive train (engine, 3.03 trans, 8" 3.25 rear end) on the side as a project. I've put it all together, but I'm very disappointed with the performance. It runs out of steam around 4000 rpm.

It is a lot less lively than my '62 170 sedan.

Here is the setup:

200 cu in engine (from '71 Maverick)
- rebuilt Carter YF
- C9DE-6090-M intake/head
- Pertronix ignition / ~'65 Ford distributor
(a duraspark won't fit with my A/C compressor)

I've tuned the thing: new plugs, timing @14, new coil.

Compression is ok (~160 on all cylinders). Manifold vacuum is ~17 at idle and steady. It drops to steady zero when I run out of power @ ~ 4000 rpm.

Any ideas on where to look? I am starting to wonder about cam, lifters, and valve springs - but that is just guessing as I am new at this sort of thing. I would go for a valve job and new cam if I know it will make a difference... The main thing that bugs me is that my old '62 170 runs so much better!

Help!

-Scott

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Scott:

The biggest difference between your '62 170 and your '71 200 is compression. the '62 was at 9.2:1 while the '71 dropped to 8.5:1. The rearend gear ratio hurt the thrill too, but in the long run, you'll be happy with the 3.25

The "M" head is a plus for flow, but you'll need a compression increase, more carb, a better distributor and exhaust to realize the value of 30 additional cubic inches.

Find a '68 to '72 point type distributor. It will have centrifugal and vacuum advance and your Petronix should bolt right in. Or find an early DuraSpark system with the smaller cap. Either will help.

Read the sticky Post at the top of this forum for the solution to improving your CR problem. Then start thinking about what to do to improve carburetion and exhaust.

Adios, David