Topic: Fuel injection delete fouling plugs help w/ ignition setup

[88F150]

First off I don't have a mustang just an '88 F-150 with a slightly built engine. The fuel injection has been replaced with an edelbrock performer intake and a holly 650 street carb. For exhaust I have 1 5/8" shorty headers with two super 40's ending just under the cab. The engine itself started life in a T-bird or Mustang got bored 40 over , had a mild cam (unknown spec) installed and was placed in the truck shade tree style. I inherited the truck from my dad along with its plug fouling demeanor a few years ago. I assume it needs another form of timing advance as the computer no longer is in action. Other than the cam there is no other changes to the factory timing any suggestions on what would be the most effective setup as far as ignition would be appreciated. Thank everyone in advance sorry about the wordy post.

[Soaring]

Welcome to the site.  Fouling plugs can be one of a few things.  Burning oil,  bad plug wires or timing is way off.   I would advance the timing to about 10 degrees BTDC then check for a smooth idle after you have changed the plugs.  Tweak it by ear after that.   You also need to get a cumputer up and on line. 

[88F150]

She doesn't burn oil, but the timing may be a problem. However I'm not sure a steady timing curve is going to keep my plugs alive any longer than already experienced.  If any computer is involved I would like it to be "stand alone"  and purely for the ignition. The problem I have with timing adjustment is the crank pulley. It's from a car and I don't know if the  piece on my timing cover will give me an accurate reading. Also the timing is supposedly already set one plug wire off in the advance direction.(this is what my dad told me about the truck) I run the poor girl pretty hard and usually only get about 1000-1500 mi out of a tune up before I have problems with rough/no idle and "stumbling" situations.Any further advice/help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

[Soaring]

You need a computer to run the whole system.  Therein lies your problem. 

[88F150]

Without fuel injection I'm not sure what a factory ecm would do other than emissions, which my truck no longer has (no testing in Alabama) I simply need a better ignition system to keep up with the amount of air and fuel it now burns. If I am wrong and a box would control my sled I would love to be educated on this matter. In no way am I attempting to be facetious I seriously want the best possible turnout for my inherited truck. Thank you.

[ol dirty doug]

can you take a picture of a freshly fouled plug and post it on here?  this will tell us a lot.  rich, lean, oil consumption, detenation, timing, etc.....   and then you can go from there

[Jeff73Mach1]

Replace the distributor with one with mechanical and vacuum advance-you can still go with HEI set ups and should be able to find one for $200.00 or so new.  As to the wires all being rotated one position, gert a sharpie and mark your new #1 position on the cap and it is taken care of.  www.performancedistributors.com sells a nice unit, but it probably more than you need.

Since you were not involved in the swap and don't have the details, you might want to go ahead and order a jetting kit for that edelbrock.  http://www.jegs.com/p/Edelbrock/Edelbrock-Carburetor-Calibration-Kits/743615/10002/-1

Your jets may be too large as a 650 is just a tad big for a 5.0

as to timing . . . stick a vacuum gauge on the engine and adjust timing until it maxes vacuum out and then back it down about 1-2 degrees.

Of course you could just get the right balancer . . .