92 LX 5.0 what items to change to prevent becoming stranded?

Ricomondo · Mar 13, 2025

'92 LX 5.0 - just getting back into Foxes after 30 years. Just bought a new to me Fox; 71K, still has the date coded plug wires on it from 1992.
Not sure what has been changed; but what items should I be looking at to try and prevent getting stranded?

First order is new reproduction plug wires, cap, rotor, plugs etc. and I just bought an OEM ignition switch. Will have Ford dealer check my serpentine belt as well.

What else should be I looking at to swap out please? Trying to keep it as OEM as possible.

AeroCoupe · Mar 13, 2025

Fuel pump and have the ECU rebuilt.

91AOD5.0LX · Mar 14, 2025

echo all above and….. battery and check spare.

89ripper · Mar 14, 2025

Spare TFI module and tool

85GTStangGuy · Mar 14, 2025

#1 - Have the ECU rebuilt.

General karthief · Mar 14, 2025

I would suggest doing the 'tune up' yourself, you seen dealer labor prices? That dealer tech prolly don't know the WTF stuff on these old EEC systems.
And he don't care!
That's why we have these cars,

Ricomondo · Mar 14, 2025

General karthief said:
I would suggest doing the 'tune up' yourself, you seen dealer labor prices? That dealer tech prolly don't know the WTF stuff on these old EEC systems.
And he don't care!
That's why we have these cars,

Hi, Yes I am doing the "tune up" stuff myself. Just having the dealer check the brakes and serpentine belt.

Ricomondo · Mar 14, 2025

85GTStangGuy said:
#1 - Have the ECU rebuilt.

Is there a reputable source for this? Thanks

gkomo · Mar 14, 2025

Ricomondo said:
Is there a reputable source for this? Thanks

Home - ECU Exchange

ECU Exchange specializes in the re-manufacturing and repair of engine control modules.

www.theecuexchange.com

i'm hoping to send my ECU out next week to them.

Also, for the brakes ya you could have a mechanic give them a once over. But for the serpentine belt, just pop the hood and look at it. If you see cracking on the 'underside' of the belt, replace it. Obviously if you see rips/fraying, replace it as well. SUPER easy to replace the serpentine belt. Just don't want you paying for someone to just pop your hood and glance at the belt.

85GTStangGuy · Mar 14, 2025

Ricomondo said:
Just having the dealer check the brakes and serpentine belt.

Just go ahead and replace the belt. They're relatively inexpensive, and easy to swap out. No telling how old the existing belt is, and I'm betting that Ford is going to "recommend" that it be replaced (probably at 2x-3x what you'd get one for). The stock Ford serpentine belt (E5ZZ-8620-F) has, I think, been discontinued, so just put a good quality belt (ie; Gates, Continental, etc.) on it and have the comfort of knowing that your belt is one area that you shouldn't be having an issue with for a long time (assuming the pulleys are in decent shape). Just my 2 cents worth.

Fyi

More Information for GATES K060875

flynndawg · Mar 15, 2025

91AOD5.0LX said:
echo all above and….. battery and check spare.

i went to pull a part years ago and bought another turbine for a spare, it sits a little hi in the trunk but at least its full size spare

Ricomondo · Mar 15, 2025

85GTStangGuy said:
Just go ahead and replace the belt. They're relatively inexpensive, and easy to swap out. No telling how old the existing belt is, and I'm betting that Ford is going to "recommend" that it be replaced (probably at 2x-3x what you'd get one for). The stock Ford serpentine belt (E5ZZ-8620-F) has, I think, been discontinued, so just put a good quality belt (ie; Gates, Continental, etc.) on it and have the comfort of knowing that your belt is one area that you shouldn't be having an issue with for a long time (assuming the pulleys are in decent shape). Just my 2 cents worth.

Fyi

More Information for GATES K060875

Thank you very much for this info! Just watched a YouTube video and I feel comfortable tackling this myself, will order a belt and get crackin'.

Bullitt347 · Mar 15, 2025

Make sure your AAA towing is up to date.

91AOD5.0LX · Mar 15, 2025

Ricomondo said:
Thank you very much for this info! Just watched a YouTube video and I feel comfortable tackling this myself, will order a belt and get crackin'.

Although you may have the belt routing decal, It’s still not a bad idea to Take photos before you remove it for easy reference when installing the new one.

90trunk · Mar 15, 2025

If you do buy another serpentine belt, put the old one in your repair kit, along with a selection of fuses. Changing the fuel filter. would be a great idea, as would checking the status of the front wheel bearings and rear differential lube. The more you do to repair or update these cars, the better your odds of having an uneventful trip.

AeroCoupe · Mar 16, 2025

If it is a T5 car then you may want to go ahead and change the fluids there as well similar to what 90trunk mentioned with the rear end oil. T5's are a strange brew in that they use ATF fluid. I ran Mobil 1 in my old T5 and still run it in the rear diff.

And just thought of this, check the u-joints in the driveshaft for any kind of play. I really like this guy's videos as he is a great tech:

View: https://youtu.be/UF2X0LcRbtI?feature=shared

Replacing u-joints and as always Eric the Car Guy is pretty entertaining:

View: https://youtu.be/8VQQdrUi9wA?feature=shared

General karthief · Mar 16, 2025

Where is your sense of adventure?
Ok my two cents worth, remove the rear end cover and clean out the bottom of the housing, reseal the cover, blue or black RTV is good, fill with gear oil, synthetic is ok but not needed, friction modifier is mandatory, then the next time you're tolling around in it find a parking lot and do a few figure 8's. I do a few 8's one way, then the opposite for a few.

AeroCoupe · Mar 16, 2025

This is just my opinion but I gave up on using any RTV but this one that has gear oil on the other side:

Permatex® Gear Oil RTV Gasket Maker, 3 OZ - Permatex®

www.permatex.com

Have had zero leaks since I switched over to it.

Ricomondo · Mar 16, 2025

Lots of great information everyone and I appreciate it! My first time around with these cars when I was younger and they were still somewhat new, so maintenance consisted of just oil changes and tune ups. Fast forward and I'm quickly getting reacquainted with them. I have Hagerty Ins. + roadside, so I have a backup just in case, but I'd rather try and get ahead of things if possible.

85GTStangGuy · Mar 20, 2025

As far as sealing your rear end cover, Lube Locker makes a very nice gasket. It is re-usable and requires no rtv or sealant.

Amazon.com

92 LX 5.0 what items to change to prevent becoming stranded?

Ricomondo

Member

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

91AOD5.0LX

I have a slight sag in my rear

89ripper

85GTStangGuy

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Ricomondo

Member

Ricomondo

Member

gkomo

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

Home - ECU Exchange

85GTStangGuy

flynndawg

Member

Ricomondo

Member

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

91AOD5.0LX

I have a slight sag in my rear

90trunk

Active Member

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Permatex® Gear Oil RTV Gasket Maker, 3 OZ - Permatex®

Ricomondo

Member

85GTStangGuy

Similar threads

92 LX 5.0 what items to change to prevent becoming stranded?

Member

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

I have a slight sag in my rear

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

Member

Member

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft

Member

Member

I have been doing it wrong this whole time

I have a slight sag in my rear

Active Member

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency