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more power from f-head???

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by oldiejeep, May 9, 2008.

  1. May 9, 2008
    oldiejeep

    oldiejeep New Member

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    Apr 17, 2008
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    hello,
    what do you suggest to gain some more power from the f-head engine?
    mine is 0.40 pistons,pertronix,solex.
    what about the weber carb?does it add more power?reprofile the cam?
    yes,the engine is 1930 design with loooooooong piston travel.i know about it.just for the conversation and for encyclopedic purposes.

    thanks :):)
     
  2. May 9, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Re: more power to f-head???

    Turbocharger. Seriously.
     
  3. May 9, 2008
    oldiejeep

    oldiejeep New Member

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    Re: more power to f-head???

    Turbocharger. Seriously.

    have some pics with that?anyone try it?
     
  4. May 9, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  5. May 9, 2008
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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  6. May 9, 2008
    oldiejeep

    oldiejeep New Member

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  7. May 9, 2008
    oldiejeep

    oldiejeep New Member

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    Re: more power to f-head???

    what about electric fan?will i gain some power?
    kone type k&n filter?i think that the oil bath is too restricted to the engine.i drive the jeep only in road.
    i see fuel injection on the turbo setup??whats this?
     
  8. May 9, 2008
    Rally_Pro

    Rally_Pro New Member

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    Sep 11, 2007
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    Re: more power to f-head???

    Here's what I did to imrove my F-head:

    1. Clifford Performance Header
    2. Custom exhaust with flowmaster silencer
    3. Pertronix Ignitor
    4. MSD-6 Box with 8mm silicone wires.
    5. Weber DGV 32/36 progressive secondary carb
    6. Spark Plugs gapped at 0.60"


    Mods required a little investment but it is worth the money both for the power increase and reliability.
     
  9. May 9, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Re: more power to f-head???

    Yes, some. The fan is a a parasitic load, and isn't always needed.

    We've covered this before - I'd use a big paper air cleaner with a foam wrap.

    Turbo- or super-charger will work with either a carburetor or fuel injection. No conflict there.
     
  10. May 9, 2008
    kaiser_willys

    kaiser_willys Well-Known Member

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    1,524
    Re: more power to f-head???

    ohhhhhh turbo works really well on long stroke engines:D diesel truck that has poped a turbo hose or lost a turbo has zilch for powerBTDT and they have a even longer stroke:rofl:
     
  11. May 9, 2008
    Homebrew2

    Homebrew2 Member

    Dunlap, CA
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    Aug 17, 2007
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    511
    Re: more power to f-head???

    I mostly agree with Rally_pro (he has been my inspiration):

    1. Start with a known-good F head motor, very important.
    2. Advance initial timing to 15° (monitor preignition sounds and sparkplug color/condition).
    3. Install a complete 2" exhaust with low/no-restriction muffler.
    4. Install a true capacitive ignition box, such as MSD 6a.
    5. Install 8mm spiral plug wires per MSD recommendation.
    6. Gap plugs to 0.060"
    7. Regardless of carb, make sure the carb is operating properly and can keep up with the motor's needs as per your driving habits.

    I honestly don't know about the Clifford header, and Clifford has no dyno chart to support their claims.

    The F head will perform, without the standard answers of a turbo or V6 swap or other dollar/labor intensive suggestions.

    :beer:
     
  12. May 10, 2008
    PatchyCJ5

    PatchyCJ5 Toledo Steel

    Deltona, Florida
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    Re: more power to f-head???

    I lost a turbo going over a bridge in my Mack. Talk about zilch power. That thing slowed to a stop in no time.
     
  13. May 10, 2008
    oldiejeep

    oldiejeep New Member

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    Re: more power to f-head???

    2. Advance initial timing to 15° (monitor preignition sounds and sparkplug color/condition).
    so,i can advance higher with the new used gasolines 95 octane?

    i will use a high performance coil MSD blaster.can i gap to 0.60?

    will i gain some power with the MSD6a?

    what type fan is better to use with my engine?pusher or puller?and what size?14"?
    i think that the fan is parasitic like timgr sayed and the engine will be more quiet.that would be the first change.
     
  14. May 10, 2008
    blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    Portland Tn.
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    Re: more power to f-head???


    Have you done this and got good results?
     
  15. May 10, 2008
    oldiejeep

    oldiejeep New Member

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  16. May 10, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Re: more power to f-head???

    You're probably exploring new ground with the fan - if so you'll have to figure it out yourself. Realize that these fans typically need a lot of current, and conversion to an alternator would probably be a good idea. I'm assuming that your Jeep has a 12V system.

    The fan from a Ford Taurus is a popular junkyard upgrade. If you search, you will find plenty of references on the internet. Again, these fans draw a lot of current, and you'll need to install proper wiring including a relay and some kind of sensor in the cooling system to automatically control on and off.
     
  17. May 10, 2008
    oldiejeep

    oldiejeep New Member

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    Re: more power to f-head???

    alternator conversion 60A.i know a lot from electrical systems.my problem isn't the wiring and the sensors.but if the type that i posted previously is good for my f-head.
    and the difference from pusher to puller.is one type better from the other in cooling efficiency?
     
  18. May 10, 2008
    oldiejeep

    oldiejeep New Member

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    Re: more power to f-head???

    and what about more advance?i heard it first time.all in the f-heads tell for 5.have anyone else try it?
     
  19. May 10, 2008
    Homebrew2

    Homebrew2 Member

    Dunlap, CA
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    Re: more power to f-head???

    I run cheap 87 octane gas. These old motors will take a LOT of initial advance. I actually hogged out my distrib advance plate arc slot to allow ~25° initial advance. I even advanced it to the max ... man that Jeep screamed off the line ... umm, but was done at 3000 rpm :oops: ... no pinging nor hot-white plugs. I'm sorry that I don't know how much TOTAL advance they will take.

    My limited knowledge and research indicates that a coil doesn't make much difference. Most coils only amplify the the voltage 100:1. With a 12V input, that ain't near enough to go further than 0.030" gap. MSD only "recommends" their Blaster coil ... within the same literature the state that any OEM coil is also "approved" for use with their 6a box ... MSD does NOT say you must use a "performance" coil. However, MSD DOES state that 8mm helical/sprial wires MUST be used.

    I did gain real power with the 6a box. I'd say that the gain over the timing advance and exhaust was ~20%. Additionally, even at below 40°F, I have not used the choke for starting ... the smoothness of the motor improved markedly, ie, before the MSD wrapping the motor to 4K rpm was noisey and rough, now accidently hitting 4500 without knowing it is possible ... elasticity or the motor is quite unbelievable with all mods, ie, bottom end torque and being able to accelerate on a highway grade ... now I actually have to back out of the throttle in situations that I previously had to stand on it.

    One extra note: I think the Pertronix electronic ignition is probably a good unit but I went with the MSD box instead. I still have the points but they are now just used as a trigger for the MSD, thus gap/dwell doesn't matter. Points will work for a LONG time as a "switch" with NO maintenance.

     
  20. May 10, 2008
    Homebrew2

    Homebrew2 Member

    Dunlap, CA
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    Re: more power to f-head???

    Yes I have, sir. Excellent results!

    I approached my upgrades individually so I could see if each one made a diff or not.

    My exhaust was shot so, I needed a new system. I could have bought the ~$110 (+shipping) clamp-on exhaust found online but had a shop build me one for maybe $50 extra cost. I had them flange it just ahead of the Tcase so I could add a header or even swap a motor in the future. Reasonable cost, great result, able to accept future plans.

    I bought the MSD 6a, used, locally for $120, which seems to be what they were going for on eBay. I figured if it didn't do much I could peddle it for what I paid for it. You can get them for ~$185 new on eBay and it may be worth it for the amount of performance and drivability I got out of mine. The plug wires were added a few weeks after the box ... they are "required" per MSD literature ... they did make a difference that was noticable, but not earth-shaking ... got em off Amazon for $38 (I could have done a lot better on that price).
     
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