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

b303 cam barely chops?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fox04
  • Start date Start date Mar 18, 2012

fox04

Member
Mar 6, 2011
78
1
6
augusta, ga
Mar 18, 2012
#1
  • Mar 18, 2012
  • #1
well i just finished my first ever cam install (im 20 lol) i just wanted a nice cam in my car and the experience for the future. Car is stock except b303 cam, full exhaust, cai, and tb. B4 everyone starts bashing saying the cam is pointless etc etc i already know just wanted it anyway. I havent put a timing light on it and checked the timing yet but just pulled the spout out and moved the dist. until it idled and crunk up decent so im not sure on the exact timing. As far as vacum line how the hell does everyone know where they all go and if theyre all there just from being old and previous owners? im sure some arent right so im sure tht is causeing my idle to not be good. But when it does idle decent the cam just doesnt sound like the bcams like ive heard. Im wondering did i over tightin the rocker arms or smthn? pretty sure i lined up the cam dot to dot. If i didnt will tht make it not sound choppy?. I was planing on getting a tune for it this week.
 

87-t-top-gt

Member
Jan 30, 2012
106
3
18
annapolis, md
Mar 18, 2012
#2
  • Mar 18, 2012
  • #2
What year car? Carb, speed density, or mass air? If the vacuum lines aren't connected yes your car will idle like crap. If you didnt set timing then it will idle like crap, if at all.
 

79'293stang

Active Member
Jan 5, 2003
505
11
29
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mar 18, 2012
#3
  • Mar 18, 2012
  • #3
So from my understanding you are wondering why it is running so smooth? What is your idle set at. I am going to assume that since you did not set your timing properly than you also did not set your idle either. Grab a timing light and get that thing set, its amazing how far off it can be and "Seem" to run ok.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,015
1,613
194
NJ
Mar 19, 2012
#4
  • Mar 19, 2012
  • #4
I think you are expecting too much in the sound department. In some cars it's almost impossible to tell it's even in there.
 

fox04

Member
Mar 6, 2011
78
1
6
augusta, ga
Mar 19, 2012
#5
  • Mar 19, 2012
  • #5
its a 89 mass air car, Yes i adjusted the idle. Got it to idle pretty good today but it wonders a while so still a lot more tuning to go. Going to set timing this weekend works got me too busy during the week. And is there any pictures/easy to follow diagrams to follow for the vacuum lines the ones i seen are hard to follow. Am i really asking too much with this cam in the sound department i mean everyone ive heard sounds pretty choppy?
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
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Mar 10, 2000
27,512
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Dublin GA
Mar 19, 2012
#6
  • Mar 19, 2012
  • #6
IF it sounded lumpy, it would drive lumpy in traffic. Most people don't ever think about that until they are stuck in traffic, stumbling and jerking along.

See the "Surging Idle Checklist” for help with all your idle/stall problems. You can guess at the problem and throw parts at it, or you can use the checklist to help you find the problem quickly and inexpensively.

The quick and easy way to dump the codes is in there too, and all you need to do it is a paper clip! The first two posts contain all the fixes & updates. At last count there were 24 possible causes and fixes for surging idle/stall problems. I continue to update it as more people post fixes or ask questions.

Diagram courtesy of Tmoss & Stang&2birds



See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host) for help on 88-95 wiring http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/ Everyone should bookmark this site.

Ignition switch wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/IgnitionSwitchWiring.gif

Fuel, alternator, A/C and ignition wiring
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/fuel-alt-links-ign-ac.gif

Complete computer, actuator & sensor wiring diagram for 88-91 Mass Air Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/88-91_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif

Complete computer, actuator & sensor wiring diagram for 91-93 Mass Air Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/91-93_5.0_EEC_Wiring_Diagram.gif

Vacuum diagram 89-93 Mustangs
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/mustangFoxFordVacuumDiagram.jpg

HVAC vacuum diagram
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/Mustang_AC_heat_vacuum_controls.gif

TFI module differences & pinout
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/TFI_5.0_comparison.gif

Fuse box layout
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/MustangFuseBox.gif
 

txstang84

15 Year Member
May 21, 2005
1,639
42
69
Tuscola, tx
Mar 19, 2012
#7
  • Mar 19, 2012
  • #7
2000xp8 said:
I think you are expecting too much in the sound department. In some cars it's almost impossible to tell it's even in there.
Click to expand...

What he said...it'll chop a little, but if you're accustomed to hearing cars with 235*+ duration at 0.050" then a b-cam with only 220* will sound pretty mild. Follow along with jrichker's surging idle thread-step by step, don't ignore steps unless you've already completed them in the sequence prescribed. If everything is as it's supposed to be and you complete the idle thread, your idle should be just about as close to perfect as they can be mechanically...then put it on the rollers and press with fine tuning.

...what are your oveall goals for the car anyway?
 

Maryland Stang

Active Member
Aug 21, 2002
1,656
30
39
Greenville, NC
Mar 20, 2012
#8
  • Mar 20, 2012
  • #8
I always offer up this advice, it works for me every time, but it always seems to fall on deaf ears here at Stangnet.

You must get all of the vacuum hoses and electrical working correctly first before you can fix a problem. I know the vacuum diagrams just look like spaghetti at first but you must use them. They're not that hard if you look at one vacuum line at a time. If you need some pictures to help you I have a bunch of them on my photobucket account. http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb56/RMartin631/Mustang/ There are 6 pages of pictures there so you'll have to look around a bit to find the one you're looking for.
 
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