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Topic: 87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!! (Read 1212 times) previous topic - next topic

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Today I decided to do a tune up on my 87 TC. Now I have it all back together and it has a buck/miss/jerk? The parts I replaced were Cap, Rotor, Wires, Plugs, and I did a oil change. Its a stock car and stock intercooler also.

It runs fine for a sec then acts like it wants to die like a buck, then it picks its self up again. It does this at idle and if im driving normal.

If I go full throttle it acts completly fine. Boost is good to the stock 15psi, power is good, and there is no buck. But go back to driving it normal and its back to bucking/jerking. it died on me once and fired right back up.

Guys I really need to find this and get it fixed! Please help if you can, work comes at 5am

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #1
what kind of wires/plugs did you use? did you gap your plugs correctly? .032-.036  did you use platinum plugs? those are a BIG no no...  always use Autolite 764's or the equivalent as well as motorcraft wires.  these cars are extremely picky...

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #2
I have Motorcraft Plugs Gap'ed at .034 and Borg Warner wires.

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #3
But like I said at Full Throttle and in Boost it doesnt do it. Just Idle and driving normal.

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #4
I had the opposite issue, would buck and kick under boost. wondering if you might of pulled a wire in your tps or if the tps is going bad.

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #5
Caps are sometimes junk right out of the box. Make sure the spring in the center moves freely. Also make sure you didnt crack any of the porcelains on the plugs. They are very fragile and will cause a missfire even with just a hairline crack on the inside or outside.

turbo charged 94 Cobra engine/440cc injectors/megasquirt /5 speed swapped (T5)/maxbox upper intake/70mm PP throttle body/AJE coilovers/2003 Mustang control arms/S.T. sway bars/ES rear control arm bushings/11" brake conversion/manual rack conversion/8.8 TC rear with rear discs and a welded diff/3.73 gears/PLX wideband/199mph speedometer/Aeromotive FPR/CNC hydraulic hand brake/cobra R wheels/....ect.

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #6
I'm no mechanic, but I was also going to say TPS.  But if it was fine before the tune up and now all of a sudden you have a problem then maybe it isn't the TPS.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #7
Go over the things you have already changed. Did you do anything to the timing? What are the codes?
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #8
I am going to guess bad vacuum line, or you forgot to plug something in.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #9
Che
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #10
I have a similar problem..my car does the same thing but it surges like mad when I try to give it the gas. I'm really leaning towards a vacuum leak and I'm hoping it is..otherwise going to the shop for a vacuum check will probably be a complete waste of my $$$
1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe ~ STOCK

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #11
Id check the TFI! i JUST had this problem. i was getting a bad pip signal i believe its called. The TFI is the sensor on the distributor. I replaced mine and it run smooth at idle and cruising around town. I am pretty sure thats the problem
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #12
Quote from: SR71blackbird;385326
Id check the TFI! i JUST had this problem. i was getting a bad pip signal i believe its called. The TFI is the sensor on the distributor. I replaced mine and it run smooth at idle and cruising around town. I am pretty sure thats the problem

To me or Shane? when the TFI on my 83 TC went out my car wouldn't even start.
1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe ~ STOCK

 

87 TC and needs help ASAP PLEASE!!!

Reply #13
To shane. Mine was going out and i had the exact same situation.
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke: