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1986 Manual Swapped 5.0 Misfire + Other odd issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter LinkedInLincoln
  • Start date Start date Aug 12, 2024
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LinkedInLincoln

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Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 12, 2024
#1
  • Aug 12, 2024
  • #1
Hello everyone.

I've got a 1986 5.0 engine in my Lincoln Mark VII and it's been giving me some issues after a manual swap.

For starters, I've been getting an odd stutter/bucking which has typically only happened when letting off the throttle but now it's starting to cut out
while accelerating. Once I'm over 2800 - 3000 RPMS it clears up but it's been getting annoying to drive with this issue. If I push in the clutch, give it a rev
, and let the clutch go it seems to help it a little. This probably occurs when the car is cold and warmed up.

I've checked out my salt and pepper shaker connections cleaned them out and replaced them with some dielectric grease but I'm still getting the same issue.

Another issue (Which could be related) with the car is on occasion the RPMS will hold for about 8 seconds after pushing in the clutch coming up to a light. When I'm stopped
the engine is at around 1500 RPM and then it will drop to idle.

I've cleaned out the IAC, checked the voltage on the TPS, and have it set to 0.98. Is there any other things I should check? I'd like to get this issue resolved soon because it's getting
worse every time I take the car out.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
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#2
  • Aug 12, 2024
  • #2
Have you pulled codes?
 
L

LinkedInLincoln

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Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 13, 2024
#3
  • Aug 13, 2024
  • #3
Noobz347 said:
Have you pulled codes?
Click to expand...
Hello there I pulled the codes with the car off. The car has all the emissions deleted so it throws 81, 82, 84, and 31.

I tried to do a running code scan but the car just stalled out
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,132
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Box behind Walmart
Aug 13, 2024
#4
  • Aug 13, 2024
  • #4
There is pretty good chance that the ECU itself is at fault.

We have seen a [rash] of this happening over the last year to year and a half.

If you have access to another ECU, try it. If not, I would suggest https://www.theecuexchange.com/
 
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LinkedInLincoln

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Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 13, 2024
#5
  • Aug 13, 2024
  • #5
I just managed to pull the codes on a KOER test. I got 84, 44, 31 and 94.

A cylinder balance test resulted in 6 and 7. I'll have to look into that a bit further but I don't know if it would be causing issues unless the spark plug wires themselves are the problem.

I will try out a different ECU though and see how it does. Thank you for the reply.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
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Jan 4, 1985
43,132
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#6
  • Aug 13, 2024
  • #6
LinkedInLincoln said:
I just managed to pull the codes on a KOER test. I got 84, 44, 31 and 94.

A cylinder balance test resulted in 6 and 7. I'll have to look into that a bit further but I don't know if it would be causing issues unless the spark plug wires themselves are the problem.

I will try out a different ECU though and see how it does. Thank you for the reply.
Click to expand...

That's an idea. Run the engine tonight once it gets dark and see if there's any arcing.
 
L

LinkedInLincoln

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Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 13, 2024
#7
  • Aug 13, 2024
  • #7
The cylinder balance test never lies.

It's time to feed this engine a new set of spark plugs.
 

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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
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#8
  • Aug 15, 2024
  • #8
Noobz347 said:
That's an idea. Run the engine tonight once it gets dark and see if there's any arcing.
Click to expand...

Good idea boss, but let's take this a step or two farther.
First the plugs, get some regular copper cheap azz plugs, don't need those high dollar irrideum gold plated V stuff.
the only code I would be concerned with is the canister inop code (31?), is the purge valve and related stuff hooked up?
Now swap'n computers? Not something I would do if my computer is the original, I'd send it in to ECUExchange, I think sticking another computer in can induce other problems unless that one has been gone though and matches my car exactly, these things are 30+ years old and crude by todays standards,
Also a good 'tuneup' ie: plugs, wires, cap and rotor,, also this is 'speed density ' so vacuum leak(s) has a adverse effect. Stuff like fuel filters are often neglected, also a quick look at the hard lines for fuel, a pinched fuel line will starve an engine.I
Just some thoughts from an 'old guy'
After all 'Old Guy's Rule'........right?.......RIGHT??
Anybody? O well, I tried
 
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LinkedInLincoln

Member
Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 15, 2024
#9
  • Aug 15, 2024
  • #9
General karthief said:
Good idea boss, but let's take this a step or two farther.
First the plugs, get some regular copper cheap azz plugs, don't need those high dollar irrideum gold plated V stuff.
the only code I would be concerned with is the canister inop code (31?), is the purge valve and related stuff hooked up?
Now swap'n computers? Not something I would do if my computer is the original, I'd send it in to ECUExchange, I think sticking another computer in can induce other problems unless that one has been gone though and matches my car exactly, these things are 30+ years old and crude by todays standards,
Also a good 'tuneup' ie: plugs, wires, cap and rotor,, also this is 'speed density ' so vacuum leak(s) has a adverse effect. Stuff like fuel filters are often neglected, also a quick look at the hard lines for fuel, a pinched fuel line will starve an engine.I
Just some thoughts from an 'old guy'
After all 'Old Guy's Rule'........right?.......RIGHT??
Anybody? O well, I tried
Click to expand...
Hello General Karthief! Thank you for your reply

I've addressed all the vacuum lines on the car and had the upper intake manifold off to redo all the lines underneath it. The charcoal canister is hooked up and I also did new lines down to there. This might be the place where I have to put my effort into.

The weirdest issue by far that leads me to think I have a sticking IAC is on random occasions when I push the clutch in coming up to a light the engine will hold its RPM's at 1800 and then it will go back to idle after a couple of seconds. Does this sound like something that could be related a sticking IAC? I've had it off for cleaning before but maybe it just needs a straight-up replacement

I've also done a fuel pressure test on the car and nothing seems abnormal with the fuel pressure while bringing it through the RPMs so I don't think it's a fuel delivery issue. It has all its jerking and bucking issues while going down the street with the accelerator pedal let off. And when I mean jerking and bucking it's like a mechanical bullride if you don't push the clutch in
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
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#10
  • Aug 15, 2024
  • #10
You still got the original mark VII computer?
a malfunctioning purge canister system should not cause your issues.
I'm not sure but the mark VII may have s different computer operation than a HO computer, at one time non-HO engines had the old firing order, HO engines have the 351 firing order and it's not just a simple plug wire swap.
You don't mention modifications so I'm kinda stabbing in the dark.
 
L

LinkedInLincoln

Member
Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 16, 2024
#11
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #11
General karthief said:
You still got the original mark VII computer?
a malfunctioning purge canister system should not cause your issues.
I'm not sure but the mark VII may have s different computer operation than a HO computer, at one time non-HO engines had the old firing order, HO engines have the 351 firing order and it's not just a simple plug wire swap.
You don't mention modifications so I'm kinda stabbing in the dark.
Click to expand...

Sorry for not mentioning that part. It isn't an HO car; it is the original computer in the car. The computer still reads all the codes for KOEO and KOER tests. I'm more than less now trying to figure out with at cruising speeds I'm feeling the engine. It does perfectly fine when you are on it over 2500 RPMS but it starts to stumble, hesitate, and buck once you let off or near idle RPMs.

At cruising speeds when the engine is nearing idle speeds going 60 km/h you can feel the engine stuttering a bit which is probably more pronounced when going into higher gears. It seems the only way to get the violent jerking to go away is to push the clutch in and then the engine immediately idles perfectly like nothing happening.

The car has never had issues with hard starting and it has never flat-out died on me. I'm starting to get a bit lost at this point now on where to focus
my energy regarding diagnosis. The engine codes so far have not pertained directly to my issues
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
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#12
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #12
Forget the codes.
like I said, you may have the wrong computer.
let me do some research for ya.
be back in a minute
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,132
21,300
234
Box behind Walmart
Aug 16, 2024
#13
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #13
LinkedInLincoln said:
The cylinder balance test never lies.

It's time to feed this engine a new set of spark plugs.
Click to expand...
That plug is burned [lean].

You need to be hunting around for a vacuum leak someplace. Hoses, gaskets, inlet tubing etc...

You said this is an 86 so am I right that it has no Mass Air Sensor?


Toss up a clear image of your engine bay when you have the chance.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,132
21,300
234
Box behind Walmart
Aug 16, 2024
#14
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #14
General karthief said:
Forget the codes.
like I said, you may have the wrong computer.
let me do some research for ya.
be back in a minute
Click to expand...

Didn't he say that it ran good at one point tho?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,944
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polk county florida
Aug 16, 2024
#15
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #15
What year Markll?
Noobz347 said:
Didn't he say that it ran good at one point tho?
Click to expand...
good In the higher RPMs is what I understand, see, the question here should be, does the computer match the engine? If the computer is running the engine on the wrong firing order things are happening at the wrong time. Also some Mark lls were CFI (central fuel injection) which only has, what 2 or 4 injectors (can't remember).
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,132
21,300
234
Box behind Walmart
Aug 16, 2024
#16
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #16
General karthief said:
What year Markll?

good In the higher RPMs is what I understand, see, the question here should be, does the computer match the engine? If the computer is running the engine on the wrong firing order things are happening at the wrong time. Also some Mark lls were CFI (central fuel injection) which only has, what 2 or 4 injectors (can't remember).
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm not 100% clear on what's going on. Along with the engine bay image, a pic of the EEC would be good too.
 
L

LinkedInLincoln

Member
Aug 12, 2024
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BC, Canada
Aug 16, 2024
#17
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #17
Noobz347 said:
Didn't he say that it ran good at one point tho?
Noobz347 said:
That plug is burned [lean].

You need to be hunting around for a vacuum leak someplace. Hoses, gaskets, inlet tubing etc...

You said this is an 86 so am I right that it has no Mass Air Sensor?


Toss up a clear image of your engine bay when you have the chance.
Click to expand...

Here is a picture of my engine bay (Please ignore the dumb cold air intake. I'm putting that factory box back in as soon as I have to take out the other one for cleaning)
Click to expand...
 

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LinkedInLincoln

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Aug 16, 2024
#18
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #18
Noobz347 said:
Yeah, I'm not 100% clear on what's going on. Along with the engine bay image, a pic of the EEC would be good too.
Click to expand...
Here is a picture of the EEC's numbers
 

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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,944
10,582
203
polk county florida
Aug 16, 2024
#19
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #19
Ok, year of lincoln?
 
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LinkedInLincoln

Member
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BC, Canada
Aug 16, 2024
#20
  • Aug 16, 2024
  • #20
General karthief said:
Ok, year of lincoln?
Click to expand...
1986 Mark VII
 
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