Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz??? (Read 1614 times) previous topic - next topic

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

ok so my 1988 Xr7 has this problem. I dont drive it much at all as a matter of fact I have never driven it more than 50 miles since I bought it last year.. We starting tinkering with it and found out the timing was WAY off (low) so we fixed that. I took it for a spin and well...no power. I can ease her up to 55 and if I punch it she gets louder and shakes and accelerated VERY slowly and painfully. In neutral she sometimes will rev up and sometimes she wont rev past 3,000 rpms. My thoughts are a clogged convertor. WHat are yours? Suggestions on how to test?

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #1 –
Did you pull the spout connector out before re-timing?

If you didn't, then your efforts were for nil. Sounds like it's still off time.
After driving it, reach under it near the cats and feel..if it's very very hot or the cats are glowing red, then it's safe to bet that they're clogged.

Is the smog pump not locked up? How about dragging brakes?

My first guess would be the timing, unless you pulled the spout the first time....
'84 Mustang
'98 Explorer 5.0
'03 Focus, dropped a valve seat. yay. freakin' split port engines...
'06 Explorer EB 4.6

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #2 –
Could be the converter.  I once had an '83 Monte Carlo (company car so don't burn me in effigy).  The converter got stuffed up and the car wouldn't go over 35.

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #3 –
Reset timing to 10* BTDC with the spout connector out and pull codes. Let us know what you find.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #4 –
Yeah we did the timing correctly (pulled the chip and all). But I pulled the car on my lift and started banging the cat, it rattled like an SOB. So I unbolted it and took her for a spin....and I do mean SPIN. ;-) So its a plugged cat. Now Im wondering, do I buy the Magnaflow system that eliminates the precats or just get the magnaflow convertor or just stick with universal.. thoughts???

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #5 –
forget the cat...unless you have to have the car smogged...
'84 Mustang
'98 Explorer 5.0
'03 Focus, dropped a valve seat. yay. freakin' split port engines...
'06 Explorer EB 4.6

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #6 –
its smogged

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #7 –
If it was me I'd core out the cat and try for a sticker, with all the trick additives and tune up and good gas and if it fails you get some time to deal with it later and maybe find something else in the meantime?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]:ford:87 Turbo Coupe through the floor sub frame connectors, 5.8 swap Ford racing heads Harland sharp 1.6 rockers BBK shorty swap headers 2 1/2 BBk X pipe magnaflow ler's. Megasquirt 2 with 36lbs injectors on hurricane intake with 4150 throttle body.Tremec TKO 600 Quicktime blowsheild spec stage 3 clutch. 3.73 gears and still not done

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #8 –
Don't use any additives. My opinion is that they are a waste of time and do not help emissions. Hollow out the car, or just drill a couple of strategically placed 1/8th" holes to get you by until you can fix it. My car passed with no problems with a hollowed out cat.
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

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #9 –
I would get the Magnaflow Y that only has the one converter. I had one on my car (they fit great) until I went to true dauls. Cats dont hurt performance that bad, and if it's smoged, fix it right.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #10 –
Fixing it right would be to delete it. Just wait till your 1 year old $200 cat gets clogged, so you hollow it out and it does better on emissions without it then it did new. But, each to his own.
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

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #11 –
If you're cats get clogged after a year than you've got problems that need to be fixed. The stock cats on my car lasted 21 years and were fine when I took them off. The only reason I took them off was for duals. The cats on my system now are two years old and have no signs of clogging. Im not getting into a catalytic converter debate, but the car was designed and tuned to run with them.
88 Cougar LS 5.0 .030 over, ported E7s with GT40 valves & trickflow springs, Proform roller rockers, HO cam, removed air silencer, K&N filter, smog pump delete, 2.25" dual flowmasters, Pacestter H-pipe & headers, HO computer, 65mm TB, Explorer intake, 19# injecters, 3.45s, rebuilt posi, and TCI shift kit.
 

No power, just wont go...dynamite in a cats azz???

Reply #12 –
Yes, I had problems with that car. Sorry to sidetrack the thread. I have said my peice.
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