t-bird88
Joined:
Feb 2005
East of Stillwater, Ok, USA (for now)
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Like the topic says. My nephew and I have been able to get the old gal started, but runs like crap. We have soaked the injectors in Chem-Dip for 24 hours, checked the timing, even had the cam cover off to see if there were any valves stuck or lash adjusters not wanting to pump up, pulled the plugs and cleaned them. It still runs like crap, back fires through the exhaust (and some times in the intake), and even has a knock when reved up just a bit. Although, it does start easier, but it still has to be held above an idle to stay lit until it warms up just a bit and smooths out. Runs and idles rough all the time. It is somewhat resposive, but when reved a bit it knocks. But I can't nail down where the knock is coming from. Any ideas?
As usual, thanks in advance.
Jim B  .
Gunmetal Grey 88 TC!!!!
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Tbird-fanatic
Joined:
Oct 2011
Hazel Green, WI
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What brand of plugs? The ignition systems on these are very picky and prefer Factory ford stuff. You may already know that but just putting it out there. What kind of knock is it?
1988 Tbird TC - in pieces - barn find - mods beginning while restoring
2000 F250SD XLT CCSB 7.3 Powerstoke - Daily Driver - AFE intake, Swamps tunes, straight piped
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Not B Anymore
Joined:
Apr 2001
Nokesville, VA, USA
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Did you guys replace any of the normal tuneup stuff? Dizzy cap, rotor, plug wires, plugs, pcv valve? That would be a good start. Also - if you have not, replace the fuel filter, but make sure all of the old gas is out of there first if you haven't already. May also be a good idea to run through the fuel system diagnostics HERE and HERE to make sure everything is up to snuff.
I don't think soaking the injectors is going to do much to clean them. AFAIK the cleaner needs to be run through them to do anything. I have used a 6-volt flashlight battery to power them up briefly for cleaning/testing.
Brian Leavitt
'86 TC 5-Speed -- MS2x w/COP | 83 lb. injectors | T3/T4 50 Trim Stage 3 .63AR | Full 3" Exhaust - No Cat | Motorsport FMIC | Ranger Roller | Ported E6 | Walbro 255HP | Kirban | 20psi | 120-amp 3G | 8.8" 3.55 rear | '03 Cobra Wheels
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Pete D
Joined:
Apr 2001
Northern OH
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Backfiring is often a sign of a timing issue. Have you checked both cam timing and ignition timing? As Tbird-fanatic asked; What kind of knock is it? Have you looked at the dist cap and rotor. Any moisture or cracks on the inside of the cap. Have you looked under the hood for spark arching when it's dark?
Pete Dunham
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t-bird88
Joined:
Feb 2005
East of Stillwater, Ok, USA (for now)
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No sparking or arcing when it is dark. The plug wires run about 11.50-13.20 on ohms resistance (dvm set at 20k ohms). Checked the static timing and it is at 11*. I will see about checking initial timing set here in a little bit. Fuel pressure is running 38 lbs at idle with reference line still connected (primes at 42-43). The fuel filter still needs to changed out. Something that will get donw tonight. We ran the short test on the injectors and they all still "clicked". The cap and bug were off my car and worked perfectly on mine, yet his still misses and backfires. Ohms check on the coil is dead on. I have added a half a gallong of laquor thinner to the gas to clean some of the varnish out. But just the little time tyat we have had it running in the shop, the car has went through almost a half a tank of gas. This has me courious and worried at the same time. What would make it run so damn pig rich?
Thanks in advance.
Jim B  .
Gunmetal Grey 88 TC!!!!
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Not B Anymore
Joined:
Apr 2001
Nokesville, VA, USA
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38 lbs of FP at idle is too high. should be in the low 30s. seems like you may be in need of a fp reg.
Brian Leavitt
'86 TC 5-Speed -- MS2x w/COP | 83 lb. injectors | T3/T4 50 Trim Stage 3 .63AR | Full 3" Exhaust - No Cat | Motorsport FMIC | Ranger Roller | Ported E6 | Walbro 255HP | Kirban | 20psi | 120-amp 3G | 8.8" 3.55 rear | '03 Cobra Wheels
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Pete D
Joined:
Apr 2001
Northern OH
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Pull the reference line off the fuel pressure regulator and see if there is gas or the strong smell of gas in it. If so , the regulator diaphragm is broke letting gas be drawn up the line and into the intake. A mild smell of gas is normal.
Pete Dunham
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t-bird88
Joined:
Feb 2005
East of Stillwater, Ok, USA (for now)
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To me the knock sounds like a rod. But when I moved it last (about 2 years ago-I moved it a total of 15'), the engine was still tight and sounded like mine.
It wanted to die a couple of times when my nephew drove it to the gas station (6 miles away). He drove it nice and slow on the highway going and coming. He said it had some power but did not want to lean on it because it has not been driven in a while.
Nephew says that there is no strong smell from the regulator.
Thanks in advance.
Jim B  .
Gunmetal Grey 88 TC!!!!
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Not B Anymore
Joined:
Apr 2001
Nokesville, VA, USA
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I still think he's in for a regulator. 38psi is closer to what you should be seeing with the reference line disconnected (39-40). It should be closer to 30-32 with it on, at idle, if it's got normal vac.
Brian Leavitt
'86 TC 5-Speed -- MS2x w/COP | 83 lb. injectors | T3/T4 50 Trim Stage 3 .63AR | Full 3" Exhaust - No Cat | Motorsport FMIC | Ranger Roller | Ported E6 | Walbro 255HP | Kirban | 20psi | 120-amp 3G | 8.8" 3.55 rear | '03 Cobra Wheels
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t-bird88
Joined:
Feb 2005
East of Stillwater, Ok, USA (for now)
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We are ging to do a vacumm test on it tomorrow and see what is up. The cam timing is dead on and no smell of gas in or around the regulator. I will post again tomorrow with what we find out.
Thanks in advance.
Jim B  .
Gunmetal Grey 88 TC!!!!
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