• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Engine 94 GT breaking up

  • Thread starter Thread starter 996stang
  • Start date Start date Sep 21, 2024
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 21, 2024
#1
  • Sep 21, 2024
  • #1
Alright guys i bought a 94 gt, supposedly a built 331, carbed, full msd ignition with a 6al. Seems like it has a small cam if its not a factory cam. i tried to tune it today, (timing and carb) as i took it to the track and it was breaking up real bad. it has between 5 an 10 inches of vacuum. timing reads almost 30 degrees advanced and thats where it wants to run. i managed to find an intake leak so im getting on that tomorrow but why would i have 30 degrees at timing on idle and dthat be where it wants to run? it doesnt make sense to me. what am i doing wrong?
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,866
10,537
203
polk county florida
Sep 22, 2024
#2
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #2
Bring the #1 piston up to TDC and check the position of the balancer
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 22, 2024
#3
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #3
yea i pulled the intake today and set it to top dead to pull the distributor, naturally i was questioning the balancer being spun but turns out 0 is in fact 0. i have no idea why it wanted to run at 30 degress at idle. i did find that the intake does not line up, it sits a quarter inch forward and down so the ports on the heads and intake do not line up and was causing a massive vacuum leak, my theory is maybe is was such a large air charge it wanted high advance like in high rpm scenario but i honestly still dont have an answer.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,936
21,110
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 22, 2024
#4
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #4
Pull Codes
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 22, 2024
#5
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #5
Noobz347 said:
Pull Codes
Click to expand...
Lol, no codes its all carbed.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,936
21,110
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 22, 2024
#6
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #6
Vacuum advance or electronic?
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 22, 2024
#7
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #7
Noobz347 said:
Vacuum advance or electronic?
Click to expand...
electronic, msd distributor, ran through a 6al
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
42,936
21,110
234
Box behind Walmart
Sep 22, 2024
#8
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #8
That's where you're going to have to look then. Whatever component is dictating your advance is likely the culprit, all the way back to the pickup.

In a possibly related note, I have seen electronic pickups that 'reported' two pulses for every one.
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 22, 2024
#9
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #9
Noobz347 said:
That's where you're going to have to look then. Whatever component is dictating your advance is likely the culprit, all the way back to the pickup.

In a possibly related note, I have seen electronic pickups that 'reported' two pulses for every one.
Click to expand...
i think it may have a lot to do with the fact it had such a massive vacuum leak from the intake port on the intake and head not lining up. i think im just going to fix that and put it back together and try again. i did find out is has some kind of hydraulic flat tappet cam in it. still unsure what it is exactly but its not stock so maybie between that and the aluminum unknown heads thats just where it wants to run.
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 22, 2024
#10
  • Sep 22, 2024
  • #10
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
5 Year Member
Aug 25, 2016
27,866
10,537
203
polk county florida
Sep 23, 2024
#11
  • Sep 23, 2024
  • #11
I'd peek at the date code on the block, that may be a hint as to why the timing is all advanced.
Can't ID the heads?
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,814
3,942
183
Claremore, OK
Sep 23, 2024
#12
  • Sep 23, 2024
  • #12
Is the MSD distributor locked out? See the bottom of page 4:

https://documents.holley.com/frm29111_8473_8580_8582_85827_85805_85801_081921.pdf
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 23, 2024
#13
  • Sep 23, 2024
  • #13
AeroCoupe said:
Is the MSD distributor locked out? See the bottom of page 4:

https://documents.holley.com/frm29111_8473_8580_8582_85827_85805_85801_081921.pdf
Click to expand...
i dont believe so as it definitely advances, but i will check.
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 23, 2024
#14
  • Sep 23, 2024
  • #14
General karthief said:
I'd peek at the date code on the block, that may be a hint as to why the timing is all advanced.
Can't ID the heads?
Click to expand...
Ill have to check, its pre 94 as it is a hydraulic flat tappet setup with the old firing order
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 23, 2024
#15
  • Sep 23, 2024
  • #15
i mached the intake back up today using some paint to transfer the gaskets imprint onto the head as i figured maybe there was a misalignment when installed. the ports do not match up and are about 1/8th inch lower then the head port and the top of the head port is basically exposed. my best guess is that someone milled the intake for a decked block and or heads. i have the aluminum heads i had planned to use on my other build i could use for testing purposes however i dont have another carb intake to test so i guess im going to just pull the trigger on a new intake and see what happens.
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,814
3,942
183
Claremore, OK
Sep 24, 2024
#16
  • Sep 24, 2024
  • #16
You should be able to get I. The intake manufacturer website and get stock dimensions. That would let you know how much it is milled.
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 24, 2024
#17
  • Sep 24, 2024
  • #17
AeroCoupe said:
You should be able to get I. The intake manufacturer website and get stock dimensions. That would let you know how much it is milled.
Click to expand...
hmmm, i guess i didnt know that, how would you measure that exactly?
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,814
3,942
183
Claremore, OK
Sep 25, 2024
#18
  • Sep 25, 2024
  • #18
What intake do you currently have on the car? Manufacturer and model number if you have it.
 
9

996stang

Member
Jan 29, 2024
64
6
18
Michigan
Sep 25, 2024
#19
  • Sep 25, 2024
  • #19
AeroCoupe said:
What intake do you currently have on the car? Manufacturer and model number if you have it.
Click to expand...
all i can say right now is its a weiand stealth. i do have a couple gt 40 intakes im just not sure if that would help for mach up or not
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,814
3,942
183
Claremore, OK
Sep 26, 2024
#20
  • Sep 26, 2024
  • #20
Go here and the front and rear dimensions are under the "Overview" section.

https://www.holley.com/products/engine/intake_manifolds/carbureted_intake_manifolds/dual_plane/parts/8020WND

I think you can flip the intake upside down and place it on a flat surface (countertop or the like) like this:



Next would be to use a straight edge on the flat part of the intake that seals to the valley of the block and measure from the straight edge down to the flat surface. You would do this at the back and front of the intake and the measurements should be the same as what is listed on the website.

Hopefully one of the guys with machine working experience can jump in here and correct me as I am probably off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Engine 85 GT Backfires through Carb
  • DienstXIV
  • Oct 3, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
19
Views
592
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 7, 2025
85GTStangGuy
2
Running very very rich
  • 2esoteric
  • Oct 31, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
313
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
Noobz347
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
G
Help with initial Microsquirt ignition setting
  • germain101
  • Nov 13, 2025
  • Digital Self-tuning Forum
Replies
3
Views
537
Digital Self-tuning Forum Nov 15, 2025
Mustang5L5
M
Engine Unexplainable Exhaust Pop and Gurgle
  • Mrnissen122
  • Feb 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
502
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 18, 2026
Noobz347
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?