Cologne V6 questions

[John Self]

I have been reading the postings about Cologne V6 performance
improvements, all of which are out of my league as an owner of an
ordinary Granny with 2.8i V6. But I wonder if anyone can suggest
possible cures for the following niggling faults (which the local Ford
were unable to help with):

* hunting at idle, often after a bit of gas, then braking, waiting in
a queue. Sometimes stalls if I don't put more revs on, then it clears.

* somtimes quits when I slow down after driving with the auto
selection DE. It always restarts OK, but it sure is unnerving to have
that happen in traffic (I suspect the fuel filter, but if that's true,
why doesn't it happen in D?)

* "pinks" under load when engine is hot, and also during the summer's
hot weeks (depends a little on whose 4 star leaded I tank up). I
understand the electronic ignition can't be adjusted.

* Is it easy to change over to run on unleaded, albeit with some drop
off in performance?

I guess I could just phone up the local mobile tune-up van and see what
happens, but I'd be pleased to hear any suggestions.

Thanks in advance

John Self

[Alan Eardley]

In article <361B36...@nospam.uk>, john...@nospam.uk says...

>
>I have been reading the postings about Cologne V6 performance
>improvements, all of which are out of my league as an owner of an
>ordinary Granny with 2.8i V6. But I wonder if anyone can suggest
>possible cures for the following niggling faults (which the local Ford
>were unable to help with):
>
>* hunting at idle, often after a bit of gas, then braking, waiting in
>a queue. Sometimes stalls if I don't put more revs on, then it clears.
>
>* somtimes quits when I slow down after driving with the auto
>selection DE. It always restarts OK, but it sure is unnerving to have
>that happen in traffic (I suspect the fuel filter, but if that's true,
>why doesn't it happen in D?)

These sound like problems with the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection unit. Taking
the advice of several very wise men, I prevented any such problems - I junked
it and replaced it with a Weber DGMS. It's very difficult to work on yourself
(and the later EEC 4 unit is impossible!). You could try a more specialised
tuner/rolling road operator since your Ford dealer can't find the problem.

>* "pinks" under load when engine is hot, and also during the summer's
>hot weeks (depends a little on whose 4 star leaded I tank up). I
>understand the electronic ignition can't be adjusted.

This is'nt so. You can use a timing light and adjust the Bosch dizzy just
alike any other unit. You can't (easily) alter the dwell. This engine seems
to like lots of advance.

>* Is it easy to change over to run on unleaded, albeit with some drop
>off in performance?

If your heads have D or E cast on the siamesed exhaust boss (not EN - that just
means 'England') you have the rare unleaded heads. More likely, you have'nt.
You can tune the engine easily to run on lead replacement petrol or a premium
unleaded (e.g. Shell), but you'll get valve seat recession. This is a very
difficult engine to fit hardened valve seats - go to an expert, as they can
fall out! Vulcan do an excellent unleaded head conversion, Burton can modify
your existing heads.

Late 2.9L engines are already set up to run on unleaded. An cheap and easy
scrapyard swap?

Alan