5.0 87 stang issues 5spd help!!!

[wolf39us]

ok it's official...there HAS to be something up with this car!

I've been driving it around for the last few days...and the first time I was driving it...I felt something was not right..

then in the next couple days...it was definitely not any better!

this is whats happening

when I drive I have the V8 power up until about 3,500k (in whatever gear I am in) and then suddenly I have NO pull at all!!...it's like suddenly the car is maxed out on the gear?? like wtf!

so I can't accelerate for ****!! something is going on! I also have been hearing "clanking" and "popping" noises coming from under the car (not back-fire from the exhaust)

I mean yesterday was pathetic....I was going 65 and had no pull left (I was in 5th) so I went back to 4th...and the car WOULD NOT accelerate...it was just "out of breath" so to speak

what could the issue be???? help!!!

 

[87AODGT]

I would start off by getting a fuel pressure gauge on there and watching it when the car falls on its face. If that checks out alright I would move on to ignition timing

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I had popping out of my 91 notches 5.0L engine. It also fell on its face after about 4,500RPM's. I pulled the plugs they were worn to a .072 gap. Stock is .054 and I gapped them at .048 because my motor has a lot of miles and the problem was gone.

 

[jrichker]

After you have done the tune up things like replace the spark plugs, spark plug wires, fuel and air filters, do another run.

If it still has problems,

Dump the codes and see what the computer says is wrong…Codes may be present in the computer even if the Check Engine light isn’t on.

Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great. You watch the flashing test lamp or Check Engine Light and count the flashes.

See Troublcodes.net Trouble Codes OBD & OBD2 Trouble Codes and Technical info & Tool Store. By BAT Auto Technical

If your car is an 86-88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 86-88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.

The STI has a gray connector shell and a white/red wire. It comes from the same bundle of wires as the self test connector.

89 through 95 cars have a working Check Engine light. Watch it instead of using a test lamp.

The STI has a gray connector shell and a white/red wire. It comes from the same bundle of wires as the self test connector.

Do not jumper anything to the single dark brown connector. It is the power for the under the hood light. It is in another bundle of wires near the windshield wiper.

What to expect:
You should get a code 11 (two single flashes in succession). This says that the computer's internal workings are OK, and that the wiring to put the computer into diagnostic mode is good. No code 11 and you have some wiring problems.

Codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.

Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.

Alternate methods:
For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see Actron® for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Wal-Mart.

Or for a nicer scanner see EQUUS DIGITAL FORD CODE READER (3145) – It has a 3 digit LCD display so that you don’t have to count flashes or beeps.. Cost is $30.

 

[MarcMonteverde]

i had the same problem! check your firing order, the car ran good until about 3500rpm, no power, would pop and jerk not backfire, plugs were bad also!
check the timming, might be too far advanced