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Topic: Engine problems with the Sport.... (Read 4306 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine problems with the Sport....

O.K.,I removed the E303,re-installed the H.O cam,and a new timing chain set.I triple checked to make sure the cam was in the right place,dot to dot,all is good.The car started right up and is idling pretty nice,BUT,when I put the car in gear,the engine is rough.In park,it easily revs to 6000 without problems.In gear,a whole different world.I'm going to replace the plugs and wires in the morning.Need to replace them anyway.I'm hoping its a dead plug or bad wire.I didn't get to check them because of other obligations this evening.I'm also wondering if the fuel pump may be partly to blame.It's worked fine,but,upon putting the key to the run position,it sounds a little sickly..I have one to install,I'll to do that Sunday after work.I only have about an hour tomorrow since we're going out of town.I'm looking for ideas on where to look.I'm tired and it's late,so,I'm probably missing the obvious.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #1 –
Disconnect battery to reteach computer? Reset timing? 12 perhaps (mine runs good at 12). Check connection at air bypass? Vacuum leak? Somehow, if it ran ok before then the parts (ie fuel pump, air bypass) are probably still good.
87 Sport with HO cam, 19# injectors,TB+Upper Intake,87 Mustang EEC, Cloyes double roller timing chain, Kirban adj. fuel regulator and Autometer fuel pres. guage, HO shorty headers + LSC H-pipe and Dynomax Super Turbo lers, Ford Racing 9mm wires, K&N filter / no air resonator, 8.8 XR7 Diff., V rated tires, Project ongoing.

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #2 –
I'll disconnect the battery for a while.When you speak of the air bypass,I figure you mean the IAC.I've checked it,and it's good as well.This has me stumped right now,and I have to go out of town this afternoon.I am going to get the new plugs and wires now,and hopefully I'll see a difference.Keep the ideas coming just in case.See you guys later.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #3 –
O.K.,disconnected the battery for 30 minutes,new plugs and wires,and now the engines idles only slightly smoother,but when it's put into gear,it gets rough.Like I said,it idles great.I have been over it a hundred times.Timing dots on the new chain gears,dead on.New plugs gapped 50,new wires in the H.O,reverse rotation order,all of the vaccuum lines look good,no smoke from the exhaust.The number one plug wire is at the number one spot on the distributor cap.Now,before the cam swap,the wires were one over,meaning,it was as if all of the wires were moved back one place.It was like that when I got the engine.I haven't checked that idea.I don't know if the distributor gear was moved one tooth or not at that time.I know that when I installed the timing set,the engine was at TDC,and after the cam and timing chain install the rotor was pointing at the number one spot on the distributor cap,so,I wired it accordingly.I had thought MAYBE it's the fuel injectors,but,they'll let the car rev pretty well with no problems at all.With the trip today,my mind is overloaded.If you have any ideas,toss 'em on the table.

I just tried moving the wires back one spot.....no deal.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #4 –
i take it you dont have a timing light?
1979 Ford Fairmont
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5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #5 –
Quote from: 32VFoxBird;181182
i take it you dont have a timing light?



sounds like it dont have enough timing in it.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1974 maverick lsx powered turbo car SOLD
1973 maverick Tijuana Taxi Tribute
1957 chevy LSX Turbo project (race car)
Owner of Joe Dirt Fabrication

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #6 –
Quote from: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87;181206
sounds like it dont have enough timing in it.



:iagree:

I think we had this problem with my cougar when we installed the new engine.  12*-14* should be about right.

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #7 –
We're sticking the light to it tomorrow.We tried everywhere with that distributor (moving it),and we got a semi decent idle,but still rough when we put it in gear.It's actually a little rough in idle now.I was wondering about the EGR causing any trouble.I'm replacing it tomorrow as well with a known good replacement from my Blue Bird.Thanks for the help guys,and if you think of anything else,let me know.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #8 –
Put a vacuum gage on it.
One 88

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #9 –
I've got to work all day today.I'll see what I can do after work.I didn't home til late last night.I'm dragging right now.I'll post anything I can find when I get home and have a little time to check the Bird out.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #10 –
Being a tooth off should not mean anything as long as you time it right
Also make sure your firing order is right. 2 wires could be crossed and the car will idle fine till it’s under load.

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #11 –
Hey Vinnie ,you put the new heads on to didn't you?
The seats and valves were cut?,you might need to shim your rockers.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #12 –
With the 3 angle valve job,do you think that the valves aren't closing all the way?They milled the heads 10 and did the valve job.Mild porting on the exhaust side,but that wouldn't cause this problem.Give me more info on the rocker shimming.I have the shims hanging in the garage.I know how,but why would that (needing shims) cause the car to run so rough.Oh,by the way,under acceleration,the car has some smoke....white smoke.I'm going to pull the new plugs in a few minutes and re-check them.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #13 –
The wires are fine.The plugs look good.I can't see that there's any water in the oil (mobile 1),all of the sensors sem fine.The timing is at 12,and we tried it at 10.I checked everywhere and no vacuum leaks.Baffled,truly baffled.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Engine problems with the Sport....

Reply #14 –
I swapped the injectors with a rebuilt set,swaped the IAC,and I've yet to start it.In the morning we'll see if any of this makes a difference.I may change the PCV vlave tomorrow as well.I have one from my parts box and have no idea where it came from.It rattles when you shake it,and it may be my memory,or lack of it,but,when I hold it upside down,I can see light through it.That's not right is it?
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..