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

Bucking Mustang - Low Rpms

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom753
  • Start date Start date Sep 8, 2009
T

Tom753

New Member
Sep 8, 2009
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Sep 8, 2009
#1
  • Sep 8, 2009
  • #1
I have an 89 5.0 that has developed an issue with bucking, lugging what ever you want to call it (I assume this is pre-ignition) at low rpms, but only when the car is warm, and pretty much only when it is warm outside. On longer trips this pretty much rules out 5th gear, in Idaho I just drive 85 to 90 mph and it mostly goes away. To date I've replace the plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor button, and fuel injectors. I assume this is being caused do to running too lean, and am thinking it may be the mass airflow sensor, but the problem does not go away when I unplug it. The O2 sensors have about 80,000 miles on them, and the car has no cats (its been this way for years the bucking problem has only started in the last two months), I did have a K&N oiled filter on the car. Any recommendations? FYI car has 340,000 miles but only 60,000 on new motor, and I am original owner.
 
L

LX Tails

New Member
Jun 25, 2009
1
0
0
Sep 9, 2009
#2
  • Sep 9, 2009
  • #2
Is the cam original, or is it a letter cam? It sounds like your problem is too much cam and not enough gear. Which means that you have to keep the revs higher than you normally would, to keep it from bucking.
A quick fix is driving around in a shorter gear than you used to drive in. Or get shorter tires.
Major mods to a Mustang require learning how to drive the car again. Its an unfortunate one, but on the other hand it is like a new car.
 

rbonella

Member
Dec 15, 2008
409
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@ home
Sep 9, 2009
#3
  • Sep 9, 2009
  • #3
Might not be your problem, but I had an e cam in my last coupe with 2:73's, bucked like a bronco, put 4:10's in it, still bucked. Put 90/10 drag struts up front and enjoy the ride!!
 
8

865.0HO

Member
Jun 26, 2004
65
0
7
Goldendale, WA
Sep 9, 2009
#4
  • Sep 9, 2009
  • #4
Check the PIP.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Sep 9, 2009
#5
  • Sep 9, 2009
  • #5
How many degrees of timing are you running? Excessive timing will cause low RPM bucking. Try backing it off a couple of degrees and see if it goes away.
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Sep 9, 2009
#6
  • Sep 9, 2009
  • #6
Gearbanger 101 said:
How many degrees of timing are you running? Excessive timing will cause low RPM bucking. Try backing it off a couple of degrees and see if it goes away.
Click to expand...

Good post
 

THUMPER306

New Member
Feb 8, 2009
11
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BROWNSVILLE,TX
Sep 10, 2009
#7
  • Sep 10, 2009
  • #7
I agree.check the timing remember to remove the spout conector for initial timing
 

cobra1540

New Member
Sep 9, 2009
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Sep 10, 2009
#8
  • Sep 10, 2009
  • #8
How long ago did you oil your K&N? Within the last 3 months?
 
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