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Topic: Fuel pump question. (Read 2014 times) previous topic - next topic

Fuel pump question.

Hi guy's, I got a question for younz. A few years ago we swaped out the 7.5 rear with 2:73's for an 8.8 rear with 3:55's from a turbo coupe with around 200,000 miles on it. Right away I noticed something wasn't right, when I get it up to a certain speed it acts like it has a speed govener on it. It feels like it wants to go but at the same time it feels like something is holding it back. I know the trac-loc needs rebuilt but I wouldn't think it would hold the speed down, or could it? Last summer when I had it dynoed we found out it tops out at 90mph. The guy running it thought it had a speed limiter but it makes no sence because I once had it up to 130mph on a long straight away with the old rear, the way I know the speed is because I had a friend in an iroc Z28 running beside me that told me how fast we where going. So if it had a limiter it should've stopped it from going that fast back then. A couple other friends think it could be the fuel pump so I bought a BBK 255lph fuel pump for it. It's going to get put on this spring when it warms up.
I wanted to get some of your thoughts and opinions on what you guys think it could be and if you agree it could be the fuel pump. And if there's something else that could be wrong.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Fuel pump question.

Reply #1
88's computers did have speed limiters.
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

Fuel pump question.

Reply #2
Quote from: Haystack;306036
88's computers did have speed limiters.


lol. Are you sure about that????
...and there was light!

Fuel pump question.

Reply #3
Could it be the VSS signal is thrown off due to the now lower geared/numerically higher rear-end?

Was the transmission speedo gear swapped with the proper color/# of teeth?

Ryan

Fuel pump question.

Reply #4
Quote from: Haystack;306036
88's computers did have speed limiters.

Quote from: T-BirdX3;306037
lol. Are you sure about that????

Quote from: Thunder Chicken
The fact that the 88 V6 and V8 cars have a speed limiter of 110MPH[/QUOTE



I hit 127 in my white Tbird, '88, 3.8
Was going downhill, after I did the w2 mod...although I will allow the possibility that something wasn't accurate, it was kinda neat to see that 127 on the speedo lol

To the original poster, I'd agree on the fuel pump as well, also change the filter too.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Fuel pump question.

Reply #5
It might be true but I'm having a hard time believing that it has a speed limiter, only because it never held it back before. I don't know if you've seen in my sig. but it's a 5.0 car, if that makes a difference. The speedo gear was changed but it's still reading at least 10mph off, so something's not right there either.

The fuel filter will defenately be changed when the pump is. It is the original pump so it could be getting weak. 22 years is a long time even though it only sees daylight during the car show season.

Fuel pump question.

Reply #6
Quote from: Spdrcer34;306038
Could it be the VSS signal is thrown off due to the now lower geared/numerically higher rear-end?

Was the transmission speedo gear swapped with the proper color/# of teeth?

Ryan

Absolutely, and is likely the problem... With the 3.73 you need as many teeth as possible on the speedo gear... Fords longest gear has 21 teeth and that may not correct it on a 8 tooth output shaft tranny(which is what the car should have)...

If it accelerates without issue to the indicated 90mph, the fuel pump isn't the cause...

The '88s computers have a speed sensor input('87s do not) so I'm reasonably sure they do have a speed limiter, the '88 LSC does limit speed to around 105-110 mph and that's for sure(know someone that was using a LSC computer and he stated at 106 it stopped pulling, a SD 'Stang puter fixed it)... Guessing this may only apply to a 5.0 Bird/Coug as the 3.8 probably doesn't make enough HP to break 110mph, unless maybe going down hill...

Fuel pump question.

Reply #7
I hope you guys will be patient with me, I've always been more of a detailer than a mechanic. I can do smaller things but when something big goes wrong I usually take it to a shop or have a buddy come over and help me out, which I'll still probably have him come over.
 
I had to look up what the VSS was, I honestly didn't think these cars had a speed sensor. The rear actually has 3.55 gears and the speedo gear was changed to a 20 tooth, but like I mentioned it's still off. Maybe I should also mention the car's a base 5.0 with the digi speedo. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

So if I understand correctly, the speedo is reading fast which is making the VSS stop it at actual speed 90mph because it thinks it's going faster, 105-110. Is that correct? So how do I fix the problem? Do I need to get a 21 tooth speedo gear and hope it makes it read correctly? Or do I need to replace the sensor or both. Or is there something else I need to do.

Thanks again for helping guys! I do appreciate it! I'm just trying to figure it out so when spring gets here I'll know what needs done.

Fuel pump question.

Reply #8
my v6 can go 110 mph in a straight line and down hill.
84 el camino ss-daily driver(efi mild sbc,2004r, posi 3:42 rear.)
84 mercury cougar v6- was a v6/ nitrous drag car, going back to mostly stock
81 chevy malibu-protouring/  drag car.( efi sbc supercharged 283 that will rev to the moon, 2004r, 4:11 posi rear)

Fuel pump question.

Reply #9
Your car does have a speed limiter, trust me. Mine did and when it would hit about 110 or so it would just stop. There are wires from the VSS to the computer. The nice thing about this is if you do a MAF swap (like I have) you don't have to run those wires;)

If you have 3.55s and an eight tooth speedo drive gear you probably need a 21 tooth gear (purple). With the 3.73s I have now (and the 8 tooth drive gear) I'm running an aftermarket 23 tooth speedo driven gear. I'm having the trans rebuilt in the spring at which time a 7 tooth speedo drive gear will be put in so I can run a 21 tooth speedo driven gear. This will make the speedo much more accurate.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Fuel pump question.

Reply #10
Cool thanks, I'll get a 21 tooth gear for it and get it in. Hopefully that'll take care of it. I keep thinking of switching it to mass air, I have a set up from a 92 T-Bird. I got a great deal on it, $50 for everything, the harness, computer, the air meter, and air tube. I just keep thinking I'm going to wait until I either have the engine rebuilt or replaced then do it.

Fuel pump question.

Reply #11
you do not want to use a 92 bird setup. Any 89 to 93 mustang computer plugs right in, the tbird one does not.
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

Fuel pump question.

Reply #12
So I guess with the Mustang computer I won't have to change the harness? That would make things alot easier.

 

Fuel pump question.

Reply #13
Quote
There are wires from the VSS to the computer.

Me and Softtouch found a discrepancy between the EVTM and a wiring diagram concerning that with regards to the VSS in the 5.0 Cougarbirds.....
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=26707

VSS info

-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!