tfi update and questions

ok, i replaced the dist. and cranked it up and its weird. at first i thought it was still doing the same thing, it ran for a minute and shut off but i tried it right away and i cranked up again. the idle at first was very erratic and it was wanting to stall. it was cutting in and out and i drove it down the street and its starting to idle better but at around 3000 rpm it kind of runs out and then picks back up through the rest of the rpms to about 5000. it is smoking under the hood at the back of the engine but i cant find oil anywhere on the motor. the sending unit isnt leaking nore as far as i can tell the line to the turbo. i havent set the timing on the dist. since i put it back in but i thought it would hold the setting i had it at with the spout still in place. its hot out and im getting aggravated so im gonna let it cool down check the fluids and put a new temp sending unit in before i set the timing cause it kinda seams like its running hot but i figure if the timing is way off its gonna run a little hot anyway. im open to any suggestions you all may have. thanks steve.

Originally posted by 4cammer72:
i havent set the timing on the dist. since i put it back in but i thought it would hold the setting i had it at with the spout still in place. its hot out and im getting aggravated so im gonna let it cool down check the fluids and put a new temp sending unit in before i set the timing cause it kinda seams like its running hot but i figure if the timing is way off its gonna run a little hot anyway.

You absolutlely need to set the timing if you swapped the distributor. The spout simply disconnects the electronic advance, but it needs to be set "right" with the mechanical adjustment before it will run right. This could account for rough running, and running hot for sure.

I would recomend that you get a timing light on it (spout out) before you do anything else. I think you might be running strong again after that.

Bob Myers

Bob is, of course, 100% correct. Your base timing could be WAY off. The motor will run with timing off by as much as +/- 30 deg, but it will run like crap. Sounds to me like the timing is severely retarded.

------------------
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 23 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 04 Taurus Duratec (wifes car) // 91 Topaz (daughters first car)

timing was about 20 degrees off. im off 1 tooth on the dist. but i was able to get it to 10 degrees btdc. ill fix that tomorrow but its still stumbling real bad in spurts. i can feel it try to take off. it runs better at 12 btdc but i think my light just took a dump. one tooth shouldnt make a difference as long is it turns enough to get to the correct amount of advance with the light right? im tired so i think ill wait till tomorrow to mess with it anymore. thanks everybody, steve

okay. here's a stupid question..........i found the ground strap from the firewall to the block hanging. i missed it when i put the car together, how much might this contrubute to the problems im having? let the arrows fly

Missing or corroded major grounds will have a HUGE effect on how it runs. Fix the ground, and maybe add a second engine to frame ground using heave gauge wire.

------------------
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 23 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 04 Taurus Duratec (wifes car) // 91 Topaz (daughters first car)

thanks jeff, i was expecting a smack on the back of the head for that one.