Fix It

The Ford Econoline (E-150) model of van was introduced in the 1960s and had a major redesign in 1975 that lasted through 1991. As of 2010, models of this van are still in production. This van is still the base model that most commercial delivery vans are built off of, and it shares many chassis and undercarriage elements with the F-series truck.

Gas Tank Capacity

The original equipment fuel tank for the Ford E-150 van is a 22-gallon fuel tank. Replacement parts are available.

Gas Tank Placement

The E-150 places the fuel tank behind the rear axle of the van in the 1989 model; after 1992, the placement of the fuel tank was changed to accommodate a 37-gallon fuel tank.

Gas Tank Construction

Like nearly every gas tank made since the 1960s, the gas tanks for the E-150 are made out of steel, coated with zinc as an anti-corrosion barrier.

Vehicles have a wide array of exhaust systems, and muffler sizes also vary. Larger diameter exhaust piping, including the muffler, allows more exhaust to flow out from the engine. However, large exhaust piping will not always increase vehicle performance.

Function

An exhaust system releases gases exhausted out of the engine. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of exhaust and the reason exhaust systems use a catalytic converter, which decreases the amount of carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere. An exhaust system includes multiple components including headers, piping, catalytic converter, muffler and tail pipe.

Muffler & Piping Diameter

Muffler and piping size determines the flow of exhaust. Overly small piping will restrict exhaust flow and the velocity at which it is expelled. Overly large piping and mufflers will decrease exhaust velocity even though there will be an ample flow. Ideally, muffler and piping diameter design balances the flow and velocity, creating optimal power.

Back Pressure & Engine Performance

Exhaust back pressure directly affects engine top-end performance. A high amount of back pressure decreases exhaust flow by backing up exhaust in the engines air/fuel mixture, reducing available power. Back pressure builds during heavy acceleration. Muffler and exhaust piping size determine the back pressure an engine must fight against.

Many modern engines no longer use carburetors. Instead, they use electronic fuel-injection systems, which forcibly spray fuel into air rather than just letting air and fuel mix. Carburetors still run in older vehicles, however, and in other engines such as chain saws or lawn mowers. In all applications, the carburetors size depends on the engines size. An engine needs a larger carburetor if it displaces more air or if its crankshaft rotates with a greater speed.

Instructions

1

Multiply the engine displacement, in cubic inches, by the engines maximum speed, in revolutions per minute (RPM). If your engine displaces 300 cubic inches with each stroke and works at up to 3,200 RPM: 300 x 3,200 = 960,000.

2

Divide your answer by 3,456. 960,000 / 3,456 = 277.78.

3

Divide your answer by the engines efficiency, which is typically close to 85 percent. 277.78 / 0.85 = 326.8. This is your required carburetor size in cubic feet per minute.