Two things off the bat. First its not a Mustang or even a Ford 5.0 for that matter. Before you flame though, they don't have any forums (that I've seen and I've looked) for Oldsmobile Custom station wagons. Its not a chevy block, so it also scratches any Camaro forums. However, I think the problem is general enough that I can at least get some direction.
Backround: Water was leaking into the engine, dad took out the radiator and dismantled the top end. A week or so later we bought a new valley pan gasket, and I cleaned up the block (removed rust, carbon deposits, etc.). Some time after that the gasket was installed and the intake bolted on. Then it sat waiting for dad to put it back together. It went untouched for nearly two months. Then I needed the garage so I could swap a Turbo 4/T5 into my beater 88lx. So I've spent the last two weeks (well, like 3 days out of those two weeks but still) putting everything back together.
It is a carburated 1989 Oldsmobile Custom, automatic.
Three days ago we started it up and it ran (amazingly). Yesterday we put the radiator back in, fine tuned things a little more, and I test drove it. It pulled like it never did before, and has a good bit of power to it now. However, after a vigorous rn up to 60-70, it decided that it wanted to stall out. It kept repeating that last night. It would idle and drive slow fine, but if you gunned it then let off, it would die afterward. At that point, it took constant cranking and pumping the gas to get it to start again, but even then it would die the second you let off the gas.
I checked the vacuum lines today, since we were gonna take it to the mechanic. I found one was completely off, so I re-attached that, then test drove it again. Same power as before, but more stable. rand very nicely for about 15 minutes, then it started acting up.
Here is what the problem is right now. After warming up, the acceleration is non-uniform. You can press down the gas and either it will rocket forward, or just kind of sputter and barely move. Let off and press it again and you may get speed or you may just get more sputtering. I'm really not sure how to describe what it feels like. Its like you press the gas but nothing happens, like someone is blocking air from getting into the engine, but then it feels "freed up" and it gets power again, but only momentarily, then it just goes back to doing next to nothing except getting passed by people.
After pulling it to a stop, it idles fine. You can rev it, it will stay running. Rev it on and off, it still stays running. Cut it off then try to start it back up, good luck. Takes about 3 or 4 tries before you get anything, but even then it dies again as soon as you stop giving it gas.
That's where I'm at right now. Anything I should check for or anything at all you can recommend would be really helpful.
Dan
Backround: Water was leaking into the engine, dad took out the radiator and dismantled the top end. A week or so later we bought a new valley pan gasket, and I cleaned up the block (removed rust, carbon deposits, etc.). Some time after that the gasket was installed and the intake bolted on. Then it sat waiting for dad to put it back together. It went untouched for nearly two months. Then I needed the garage so I could swap a Turbo 4/T5 into my beater 88lx. So I've spent the last two weeks (well, like 3 days out of those two weeks but still) putting everything back together.
It is a carburated 1989 Oldsmobile Custom, automatic.
Three days ago we started it up and it ran (amazingly). Yesterday we put the radiator back in, fine tuned things a little more, and I test drove it. It pulled like it never did before, and has a good bit of power to it now. However, after a vigorous rn up to 60-70, it decided that it wanted to stall out. It kept repeating that last night. It would idle and drive slow fine, but if you gunned it then let off, it would die afterward. At that point, it took constant cranking and pumping the gas to get it to start again, but even then it would die the second you let off the gas.
I checked the vacuum lines today, since we were gonna take it to the mechanic. I found one was completely off, so I re-attached that, then test drove it again. Same power as before, but more stable. rand very nicely for about 15 minutes, then it started acting up.
Here is what the problem is right now. After warming up, the acceleration is non-uniform. You can press down the gas and either it will rocket forward, or just kind of sputter and barely move. Let off and press it again and you may get speed or you may just get more sputtering. I'm really not sure how to describe what it feels like. Its like you press the gas but nothing happens, like someone is blocking air from getting into the engine, but then it feels "freed up" and it gets power again, but only momentarily, then it just goes back to doing next to nothing except getting passed by people.
After pulling it to a stop, it idles fine. You can rev it, it will stay running. Rev it on and off, it still stays running. Cut it off then try to start it back up, good luck. Takes about 3 or 4 tries before you get anything, but even then it dies again as soon as you stop giving it gas.
That's where I'm at right now. Anything I should check for or anything at all you can recommend would be really helpful.
Dan
