88 3.8 timing

Topic: 88 3.8 timing (Read 709 times) previous topic - next topic

88 3.8 timing

March 18, 2008, 06:30:50 AM

Well... i cant find my manual on fox tbird and cougars so im posting asking these questions.
where are the timing marks and pointer on an 88 3.8
which distributor post should be number one
and what size is the nut on the crank so i can get the correct socket to turn the motor over with it?

I think that is it... but ill say this one more thing.. i am getting good spark and im sprayin fuel with a spray bottle down the throttle body but im not getting any bang.... any idea's?

88 3.8 timing

Reply #1 – March 18, 2008, 09:36:58 AM

Like i said in the other thread, it does not matter what post on the dizzy is 1.

just snap on your wires in the correct direction and in the correct firing order.

IIRC, i think the stock layout of the wires put number 1 post closest to the master cylinder there abouts. now just snap your wires on properly.

the firing order is stamped on your intake to go by.

as for the crank bolt, i dono, maybe a 15/16''. Just figure it out.

if you have spark, what color is it?
what about fuel presure? if you go to the eec self test conn, you will see a tan/light green wire. jumper that wire to ground. turn on your ign sw and listen to the pump running. now relieve presure on the shrader valve up on the fuel rail. does it spray a lot of fuel?

did you pull the dizzy out and now need to get it correctly installed? if so, then there is an entirely different process to get the dizzy put back in right.

88 3.8 timing

Reply #2 – March 18, 2008, 09:51:58 AM

fuel lines are not hooked up as im wanting to avoid running varnished fuel thru the system. there is no fuel coming out of the lines as it is when i try and crank it. dizzy has not been pulled and the spark is a yellow with a hint of blue

88 3.8 timing

Reply #3 – March 18, 2008, 03:21:45 PM

Have you tried a shot of starter fluid? just for a stronger burst... maybe even on top of the gas squirt.
But yea, try and crank it manually to make sure its not stuck.
Also make sure the starter is kicking.

88 3.8 timing

Reply #4 – March 18, 2008, 04:07:18 PM

oh its crankin fine just tryin to get the bang to happen.

88 3.8 timing

Reply #5 – March 18, 2008, 06:17:06 PM

So your trying to start it without fuel lines hooked up?

You could drain the tank by running the fuel pump (if you already have it disconnected) into a responsible container. Throw on a new filter and some fresh fuel. At least that way you wouldn't be monkeying around with starter fluid. If fuel is not spraying out when you set to run or crank, then trouble shoot your fuel pump (fuse, relay, listen to the tank).

If your real hell bent on running it w/o fuel. Open the throttle body butterfly and blast some ether in there. It should kick if its got remotely any spark.

As for the yellowish tinge, my spark has always been a pretty bright blue.