Topic: Engine color for 74 2.8 liter

[KevinK]

What is the correct engine color for 1974 2.8 liter v6?  Valve covers seem to be semi gloss black, intake manifold is bare aluminum, oil pan is black.

Thanks

[carlite65]

the one i had years ago was all black.

[67gtasanjose]

the one i had years ago was all black.

I recall the same thing. If I recall correctly, isn't this early 2.8 engine essentially the same as the imported Capri Ford Cologne engine?

[carlite65]

yes. started out as a 2.6, then went to 2.8 then the 2.9 which eventually evolved into the 4.0L used in '05-09 mustangs. only the 2.8 was used in the II cars.

[67gtasanjose]

yes. started out as a 2.6, then went to 2.8 then the 2.9 which eventually evolved into the 4.0L used in '05-09 mustangs. only the 2.8 was used in the II cars.

Interesting read in Wikipedia on the Cologne Germany V6, began in '65: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cologne_V6_engine

I'd say the "Import Aspect" relates to the engine color being BLACK (he wrote while realizing the conversation went sideways, while making an effort to steer the discussion back to the O.P.'s primary interest )

[KevinK]

Thanks for the replies. I figured it was black. I will have to look a little closer to see if it’s glossy or semi gloss.

The wife just pick up a decent 74 Mustang. Not bad from 20 foot. Needs a paint job and some cleaning. I do have an engine surging problem I found on the drive home. Any little hill causes it to surge like a lawn mower running out of gas. I did find the carb to be loose. I suspect a fuel vent or fuel sock issue.

Looking through the service records, now I see why a few things might have been changed.
Fuel pump
Spark plugs
Plug wires
Alternator
Battery
Voltage regulator

[67gtasanjose]

... I do have an engine surging problem I found on the drive home. Any little hill causes it to surge like a lawn mower running out of gas. I did find the carb to be loose. I suspect a fuel vent or fuel sock issue....

I'd suspect vacuum leak first, that loose carb a good beginning point. EGR valve (if equipped) a good 2nd place to look, that and all hoses. (if not sure, make a block-off plate to check before condemning it). ALso check the timing by the book as a basis of a starting point, maybe knock off 2-degrees for modern cheap alcohol-based gas. If you go into the carb, make sure your gaskets and such are "alcohol friendly".

[KevinK]

The engine surging is major, almost to the point of cutting out. I don’t think the Egr or vacuum hoses would cause it to surge on a slight incline. They are on my suspicion list.

This being a 74, the oddities for emissions begin here. I found an open vacuum hose and capped it no change. Pull the hose off and rpms went up. It seems this engine does not use a vacuum advance, only a vacuum retard. I saw what looked to be an engine emission label on the valve cover but it’s hard to read. I later found a similar label in a factory alteration kit. I guess I will have to but it and see what it is.  I have also located the vacuum diagram on line