87 XR4TI swap to 92 LX problems.

I have an 87 XR4TI engine in a 92 LX Mustang. I didn't do the swap, it was done by the previous owner so I don't have a bunch of info on it. I am told that it has the wiring harness and computer from the Merkur in it. The car runs "fine" in that it doesn't miss and stumble and things like that, but it is NOT making full power. It actually seems MORE powerful at part throttle than it does at full throttle. I have been trying to do some research on possible problems. It makes a full10lbs of boost but just never really pulls very hard. I believe the problem is with the timing. I have read that it should have a spout connector on the distributor which should be unplugged when setting timing. My car has an electrical connector to the distributor but if its unplugged the car won't start at all. There is nothing else going to the distributor. When I set the timing I set it at 10 degrees BTD and drove it and it was even worse, it runs best with about 25 degrees of initial timing!!!!! I know this is a ridiculous amount of timing, so I checked what the timing does by reving the engine in neutral and it will only advance a few degress more than the initial timing and then it will actually back down to less timing than the intial timing.

I am wondering if there is a difference in the distributors between the XR4TI and the stock 92 4 cylinder? And if this is so my timing is gonna be all jacked up until replacement of distributor. Any help in diagnosing this would be great it's a great looking car that other than having very little power runs ok.

Also is there anyone in the Kansas City area who REALLY knows these engines and could straighten me out!!!!

No i do not have an air/fuel gauge. Anyone got one on the cheap?

Does anyone have a pic of the spout connector and where it plugs into the distributor at ??? A picture would be amazinging helpful. My current line of thinking, because of what 351wcoupe said, about the xr4ti and 92 2.3 both having the spout connector that maybe because the distributor is so buried that I am missing exactly where the spout connector is and what it looks like and if I had a picture that and the actual connector maybe I could match things up to some "extra" wires that in that area and figure it out??

I just have this feeling with the help of some 2.3 experts that it is probably something fairly simple. It's just tough because I don't know what everything is supposed to look like. I promise to keep this thread updated after trying everyone's different ideas and let you all know what finally fixes the problem!!!

Dan

Oh yea if you have that pic or any other usefull info email me at 2007shelbycobragt500@gmail.com