Good day to all!
I got a 1982 L-6 Econoline and has problems to keep the engine running, it trows a lot of black smoke ( very rich fuel mixture) and also has problems to get high rpms.
My plan is to verify the spark plugs, check fuel pressure, assure the timing is OK, my friend says that the carburator was recently overhauled. Any additional sugestion will be appreciated.

Also I noticed that the engine has an exhaust Oxygen sensor, how can I assure is working ok? and how the O2 sensor imput is probided to correct the A/F ratio? I think this can be a main driver to provide a very rich fuel mixture.

Any reccomendation, suggestion and/or comments will grately appreciated.

Have a nice day.

 

Here is great video on how to diagnose a bad O2 sensor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdn4Dk5PSwc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbpggeL2dKo

 

You need to remember the oxygen sensor usually reports what the fuel system is doing.
I would be very suspicious of the carburetor at this time especially since someone got into it. If for example, they didn't set the float level correctly, you will get an overly rich fuel mixture which in turn will carbon up the oxygen sensor so bad it cannot do it's job.
If the choke is not opening fully that could cause a rich condition. There are other possible causes , but those are only two.
If the rich condition is corrected, sometime you can burn off the excess carbon and the o2 sensor will be OK. Other times you may have to replace the sensor anyway because it cannot be reclaimed. Sometimes a simple thing like a plugged air filter could be the cause. Keep us informed. Thanks

 

Thanks for the comments and or recomendations:
Chassone I try to look in to the videos and I was not able to see them, I will look why I can not see the You Tube videos, for sure will provide me with information on how to see if the O2 sensor is working.

Hanky, regarding the carburator, I know there is going to be a problem because my friend had taken the carburator for a overhaul and as you mention the float level can be a problem, do you know where can I find or what will be the float level recomended for this vehicle.

Hanky and Chazzone thanks for your imput and time in this thread.

 

Chazzone, the videos are great and easy to follow, I was able to verify that the O2 sensor is working so I will look in to the carburator, and makes sentence what Hanky is proposing about looking in to the float level, the only thing to find is what is the float level for this carburator.

Thanks (Gracias!), have a nice day.