When were engine control computers introduced to Ford trucks?
06-20-2019, 06:31 PM
#21
Senior Member
Efficiency and power isn't the issue. Reliability and being repairable is the goal. Do you have the knowledge, skills, and tools to diagnose a modern computer based vehicle system? Do you have the knowledge and skills to rebuild the multitude of typical vehicle electronic modules?
I know i've had a lot of carbureor'd engines over the years.
Having said that, these new computer based vehicles are a mixed blessing.
Computer based engines and every other electronic bell 'n whistle in these new vehicles are a DIY PITA to fix if even possible.
If OBD-II codes don't point to the probable problem then the DIY'er is in real expensive trouble.
06-20-2019, 06:40 PM
#22
Tell you what Doc - I'm a Ford Lifer, and I wouldn't go back to my '65 Galaxie with a 289 in it.
In the Winter (5 months per year) I'd have to get in it - step the gas all the way to the floor then take my foot away from it - crank it until it started, then wait until the engine started loading up, gently press the gas to go to the next 'step' on the carb,
then waith for it to warm up enough to drive away, and if I didn't get it right could stall at the first light.
Put a manual choke on it? Fine for me - but the wife would pull up, missing, smoking, choke on for 30 miles and complain the car was running bad.
Plus - it sucked gas, only made about 150 hp, and in the Summer I had to turn up the idle so the air conditioning compressor wouldn't stall it when I turned the wheels.
You really long for those days ?
In the Winter (5 months per year) I'd have to get in it - step the gas all the way to the floor then take my foot away from it - crank it until it started, then wait until the engine started loading up, gently press the gas to go to the next 'step' on the carb,
then waith for it to warm up enough to drive away, and if I didn't get it right could stall at the first light.
Put a manual choke on it? Fine for me - but the wife would pull up, missing, smoking, choke on for 30 miles and complain the car was running bad.
Plus - it sucked gas, only made about 150 hp, and in the Summer I had to turn up the idle so the air conditioning compressor wouldn't stall it when I turned the wheels.
You really long for those days ?
06-20-2019, 06:41 PM
#23
Senior Member
If you're asking me I already answered the first part of that question, as for the other part "modules" Why do you think they call vehicles modular?
When a module breaks you toss it and put in a new one. Throw away society and it's not going anywhere so get used to it or you and Lee308 can hold hands and sing Kumbaya.
Be gone luddite.
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When a module breaks you toss it and put in a new one. Throw away society and it's not going anywhere so get used to it or you and Lee308 can hold hands and sing Kumbaya.
Be gone luddite.
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06-20-2019, 06:50 PM
#24
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I lived through them, so no,I don't. I'm just looking for a viable farm truck that I can count on. We had a reliable late 40's Ford until my granny sold it in the late 80's. I have a couple of Farmall tractors that are backups to my Kubota...
06-20-2019, 06:53 PM
#25
In theory even the modules can be repaired. Just the other day a guy posted on these forums a way to fix the ACM by re-flowing the circuit board in an oven. Granted this only works when the circuits develop microscopic cracks. This because of s%#$y solder courtesy of RoHS' lead free mandate.
But yeah That's an entirely different expertise like repairing cell phones with cracked screens, dead batteries etc... I have my head full of enough crap just determining what module is bad and when your running a shop you don't have time to go that deep. Just toss in a new module, program it for the vehicle.
"Next"
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06-20-2019, 07:05 PM
#26
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My mother was a school teacher. Her daily drive was a 56 Chevy Bel Air. During the cold months, we heated the engine compartment with two 150 watt incandescent bulbs housed in old coffee cans. We also covered the hood with old blankets. She drove to work with a blanket covering her legs. Nobody misses those days...
BTW, as a pre-teen I was tasked with keeping it running...
BTW, as a pre-teen I was tasked with keeping it running...
06-20-2019, 07:07 PM
#27
FORD lifer
Maybe go back to '77 when the Duraspark ignition was the most modern thing on a truck,
and you would have zero oxygen sensors or electronics or emissions to tolerate!
And with what we learned about engines, and parts availability, you could probably turn
that 351/400M into a pretty good motor!
06-20-2019, 07:21 PM
#28
I'd love to have something to toy around with, specifically a 70 El Camino I use to have. But when it's 4:00am and I need it to leave the driveway NOW regardless of circumstances, I'll take modern vehicles any day.
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06-20-2019, 07:22 PM
#29
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Yes, automotive modules can be repaired but many are packaged to prevent tampering or repair. As an engineer, I worked on many safety mitigating systems. We were required to prevent tampering. It was a major effort to gain access to the circuit boards for failure analysis. How many backyard mechanics have the knowledge, skill, and equipment to do so. How many backyard mechanics have access to the proprietary parts and firmware to re-manufacture such?
06-20-2019, 07:28 PM
#30
Yes, automotive modules can be repaired but many are packaged to prevent tampering or repair. As an engineer, I worked on many safety mitigating systems. We were required to prevent tampering. It was a major effort to gain access to the circuit boards for failure analysis. How many backyard mechanics have the knowledge, skill, and equipment to do so. How many backyard mechanics have access to the proprietary parts and firmware to re-manufacture such?
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