Various annoyances...

Topic: Various annoyances... (Read 3981 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #15 – June 01, 2005, 11:01:57 AM

Who said anything about a 3.8 rebuild, while I still have a perfectly good carbed 351W sitting around..?

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #16 – June 01, 2005, 11:41:51 AM

Quote from: Bird351

Who said anything about a 3.8 rebuild, while I still have a perfectly good carbed 351W sitting around..?

My comment was more directed at the thread starter...

His engine will be a good boat anchor in short order....

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #17 – June 01, 2005, 11:45:27 AM

Well, I was the one talking about "oil mixing voodoo". :p

(which, btw, I was not recommending in any way to this other guy)

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #18 – June 01, 2005, 09:02:28 PM

K I took a stab at adjusting the idle speed. I had thought I knew how to do it but the screw I adjusted didn't seem to have any effect after like 10 half turns. If you look at the attached picture it's the long one near the bottom with the spring. Am I missing something? I have the Chilton manual but the section on idle speed is three lines saying it's done by computer. Computer?

Thanks Chilton. The other thing is that talk about vacuum lines led me to wonder about the EGR valve (other picture). Once again Chilton wasn't helpful, it explained the different types of EGR used over the 14 YEARS!! of cars the manual covers. Barely even a helpful picture. I found it anyway but I'm confused about where the valve ends and the distributor begins. Is the saucer shaped piece all there is to it? It does have screws and can apparently be removed but I don't want to end up removing half the valve. Some pointers would be really helpful. Thanks.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #19 – June 02, 2005, 12:17:03 AM

Actually that plunger thing is secured on the other side by a bolt in a "sliding" hole. Should I loosed that before I turn the screw?

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #20 – June 02, 2005, 08:53:31 AM

Quote

but the section on idle speed is three lines saying it's done by computer. Computer?

In some models/engines/countries (or alternate universes), the idle is controlled by a little electric motor and plunger, instead of the manual-adjuster you have.

Quote

Actually that plunger thing is secured on the other side by a bolt in a "sliding" hole. Should I loosed that before I turn the screw?

Yes.
The big can assembly is the "Throttle Modulator with Dashpot", which is mounted in the idle "saddle". Loosen the lock bolt, otherwise you'll just be twisting the saddle sideways (or twisting it into ).

Here's the idle procedure from my Haynes "Mid-size LTD" book, that shows the same kind of adjuster (the T-Bird book doesn't):

1. Place the transmission in Neutral or Park and firmly set the parking brake. Turn the air conditioning selector to the Off position.

2. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating temperature.

3. Shut the engine off, then restart it and and run it at 2000 RPM for 60 seconds. If the vehicle is not equipped with a tachometer, attach an external one according to the manufacturer's instructions. Return the speed to idle and allow the engine to stabilize for 30 seconds. Bring the engine speed back to 2000 RPM and let it stabilize for approximately 10 seconds.

4. Place the transmission in Reverse. Check and adjust the curb idle speed within 60 seconds. If adjustment is required, loosen the saddle bracket locking screw (see accompanying illustration). Turn the adjusting screw clockwise to increase the idle speed or counterclockwise to decrease the speed until the specified RPM is obtained (see the Emission Control Information label for specified idle speed).

5. Tighten the saddle bracket locking screw and repeat the idle stabilization procedure in Step 3 to verify the final setting.

And here's a picture I used for another similar post:

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #21 – June 02, 2005, 11:10:32 AM

Quote from: Chuck W

Sounds to me like low oil pressure....esp if the light comes on once the car warms up, or at idle.

Sounds like you have more pressing issues than v/c gaskets and lifters.....

yeppers. that would be my first stop.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #22 – June 02, 2005, 11:30:53 AM

Quote from: Funky Cricket

yeppers. that would be my first stop.

Obviously he has him fingers stuck in his ears and yelling "LALALALALALALAALAL I don't hear you!!! LALALALALALA" about that.....

It could be a bad oil pressure sender that is causing the light to come on...but with it knocking, I doubt it. Oh well, make sure you get the TV rod adjusted right so it's running well when the motor locks up :D

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #23 – June 02, 2005, 11:50:39 AM

:flip: I'm not oblivious Chuck. I suppose if I told you to go get a rebuild you'd pull 3000 bucks out of your pocket and go do it? I'm gonna get the pressure tested this weekend and if that's the problem well I'll se together some cash to try and replace the pump with a high pressure one and hope that does the trick. If not...well I don't know.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #24 – June 02, 2005, 12:08:03 PM

Well, if it was knocking I wouldn't be driving it..much less at freeway speeds.

As far as the rebuild price goes....bah! You could do it yourself for less. Also, another alternative would be to locate a good longblock and swap that in. This might be a good option if this is your only car and funds are low. Could be something you could accomplish over the course of a weekend with the help of a friend or two....

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #25 – June 02, 2005, 12:45:19 PM

Replacing the engine may yet be an option if I can find a good one. We'll see what happens over the course of the summer. As for driving it, it is my only car and I've been living with that knock since I bought it so you know...in any case I don't normally drive on the freeway.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #26 – June 02, 2005, 04:51:27 PM

After giving it some thought and considering how many things need fixing on the car I've decided the best thing to do is go to the local yard and grab another engine cheap that I can rebuild over the summer and drop in. The engine is tough I'm sure it'll last a while yet. Would there happen to be a database anywhere that tells you what cars use a particular engine? 302s are widely used among Fords, I know Mustangs used them, and some trucks I think. Since the yard does't have a directory of parts I want to know what to look for.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #27 – June 02, 2005, 04:54:55 PM

http://car-part.com/

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #28 – June 02, 2005, 10:38:50 PM

Thanks for the link, that helps.

Re: Various annoyances...

Reply #29 – June 03, 2005, 04:30:50 PM

Quick question, since most 302s after mine were fuel injected that may be what I end up with. Is switching the intake manifold all there is to changing fuel injected to carbureted or is there more to it than that?