nooby chick from Kentucky

greyfox69

Member
Oct 26, 2011
56
0
6
kentucky
hey everyone!! Im a noob that just bought herself a 1988 gt convertible 5.0. Current mods known are aftermarket intake (which is cheap and filter doesnt look long enough for it to breathe properly...will be replaced), e303 cam, larger fuel pump, and equal length BBK headers to flowmasters. The issue I am having is this. ....the guy i got it from said he had the timing advanced about 15 from stock but had it returned back before it crossed over into my hands. It idles fine but if you get hard on it when changing gears (5 speed going from first to second) it has a noticable sputter/cutting out. If you dont pop the clutch it doesnt do it as bad. mechanic that looked at it said it could be the timing or a fuel issue. Anyone experienced this before? Come monday Im goin to have he tinker with timing and I hope that will take care of it. Dread it if its actually a fuel issue. Once again forgive me I am a NOOB.lol. and yes I used the search button but didnt really find what i was looking for.


Also has anyone ever heard of Auto Gauge Tachometers? I have one in my car but I know little about them as to if they are good or what. Shows everything from rpms, oil pressure, temp, boost, etc. boost and rpm are needle shown everything else is digital. Tried looking them up on line but get little info..this is link to only site i could find

http://www.autogauge.com.tw/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=39&Itemid=68

tach number....#5613911SW with white face.
 
  • Sponsors (?)


Can't really answer your fuel question, but Auto gauge is Autometer's budget line of gauges. I had one of their 5" tachs years ago and it always worked great.

And Welcome!
 
Sounds like the previous owner tried to de-tune it for you a little by turning the timing back. I'd definately get that checked as these cars respond very well to the proper timing. Of course that depends on what grade (octane rating) of gas you plan on using as well. The "15" the PO refered to was probably 15 degrees before top dead center. The idea is to get the cylinder to fire in advance of top dead center at the optimum time for maximum power, but not so far that the bad effects can set in (like detonation). It might be a good idea to have your fuel filter changed also if that hasn't been done recently. Maybe just needs a basic tune up as well.
 
Thanks for the replies. As to the timing yes it was advanced foward. I am hopin that adjusting it by a pro will take care of it. as to the tach any idea what they cost ? a friend of mine loves it and wants to get one but we have no clue where to order it from or what it would cost.
 
Welcome and how 'bout some pics of your new ride... we love pics. You'll find there are plenty of knowledgeable members here at your disposal, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

I can't help you with the gauge questions, but the sputtering could be caused by a few different things. I'd start with the timing (like you plan on doing) and once you get that set where the car likes it, you should check for any codes... you may simply have a bad sensor or two. Should be able to replace them yourself since you sound fairly mechanically inclined. Definitely do a tune up (plugs, wires, distributor cap, fuel/air filter, oil change)... see how all that goes and let us know if you're still having any problems.
 
I hadnt thought about the sensors. I know for sure it needs a better intake/filter on it because the one that is on there is ass. I mean its cheap as it can be and almost looks like it could be a freakin dryer hose with a filter that is much too small ..lol. Id be ashamed to post pics of my engine just due to that. ...oh hell why not... First thing i want to do to her is have her set back to stock height. I live in the country and this thing is draggin a bit too much for me. So..anyone out there interested in some lowering springs...lol...then the intake....heres some pics.
View attachment 166880
View attachment 166881 View attachment 166882 View attachment 166883 View attachment 166884
 
I absolutely LOVE that color, looks great with the silver... actually I'm planning on painting one of my Capris that same color. As for the "porno red" interior... some like it, most hate it... I like it and the same Capri I plan on painting also has a red interior. About the intake, you're right, it's junk... get rid of it asap and get a stock set up or a fender well filter set up. The stance is perfect in my eyes, but since you need more clearance for your "off road driving" that one is up to you.... I'd leave it and just go a little slower over the bumps... or by a beater pick up truck. LOL.
 
Sounds like the previous owner tried to de-tune it for you a little by turning the timing back.
20.creation.jpg
 
its not off roading lmao. Its the dang pot holes. I live on a one lane road and if i meet someone i cant get off or over...and if i dont split the difference of the pot holes...scrape...I mean she will drag if u drive over the lids for the gas tanks at a gas station. It seriously has about 3 inches clearance if that.
 
so i was wondering if that piece of crap intake on there make it sputter from lack of air?? and i was thinking maybe a bbk intake. thoughts? also...he said he put a bigger fuel pump in but didnt mention anything about injectors being changed. Could that make any difference?
 
You do understand that '88's are Speed Density not Mass Air Flow (except for CA)? SD does not respond well to modifications unless you plan very carefully. The intake shouldn't cause any issues, no reason to ditch it, unless you want to. Bigger fuel pump won't hurt anything, either. The cam is another issue.

I'm chasing a similar problem on my '88GT. Pull codes from the computer which may point you in the right direction. My issue is in the emission control hardware, already replaced 1 bad control valve (TAB). If codes show nothing (which I doubt), consider a MAF conversion.

That's a real nice looking 'Vert. Looks like you have the Leather interior option. I still have the '88 Showroom Brochure. BTW, your wheels are not from an '88GT.
 
Yes, rims are pony rims. I hate them. i want to get some cobra replica. No, I didnt realize until after I got the car that it is a speed density and not mass air flow. Which is why I said Im a noob and wanting to learn. any info you can shoot my way about speed denisity would be great. Im going to research it as much as possible online. Mods that are done was done when I got it and I dont really plan on doing much else than I mentioned. Maybe at some point a 373 rear end but that is undecided.
 
I suppose the first thing you must decide is if you intend to get your hands dirty and work on the car yourself,
farm the work out to family or friends or pay a mechanic to do the work. The 5.0 Mustang is a great car to fix up,
but like any older automobile, it will require more attention and maintenance than a newer car. You need to be
prepared to deal with that. Add on top of that the previous owner's "modifications" to the original car.
Some of the "modifications" are well done and show quality workmanship and parts, while others is roadkill quality work.
It is very easy to become a victim of the previous owner's effort.

There is at least one female 5.0 owner (Nicoleb3x3) that does the serious work herself and there are numerous
others that have family and friends to help them do the work.

The purpose of the 5.0 forum is to help the owner or owner's family and friends with their 5.0 problems.
Most of us would rather not help some mechanic who is supposed to know what he/she is doing to make a buck
off someone else's problems. That's what All-Data and the other professional automotive help sites are for.

If you or family/friends are going to do the work, repost with a better detailed description of the problem.
I will try to help get you started towards fixing it.

Any idle/stall problems?
Does the miss/surge occur at high speed or low speed or both?
Does the miss/surge occur when the car is cold or hot or both?
 
Any idle/stall problems? car idles fine and doesnt stall out but when at idle if you rev engine you hear a noticable cut out and an occasional backfire. see vid below for idle and rev...

Does the miss/surge occur at high speed or low speed or both?
miss/surge dump...happens at high rpms when on the throttle while changing gears. if you drive and change at low rpm it isnt as much of a cut out. If you are are at high rpms it is almost like the car completely stops for about a second then kicks on in.

Does the miss/surge occur when the car is cold or hot or both?doesnt matter hot or cold it will dump out at high rpms or when u rev engine.

Now something I did notice on further inspection today. The sensor plug that should be connected to the airbox/intake..is simply hanging not connected to crappy intake. I havent taken it to see if its throwing codes yet but seems to me that should be plugged in somewhere??

Video link: http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d70/loversmoon/?action=view&current=VID-20111029-00037.mp4
 
greyfox69 said:
Any idle/stall problems? car idles fine and doesnt stall out but when at idle if you rev engine you hear a noticable cut out and an occasional backfire. see vid below for idle and rev...

Does the miss/surge occur at high speed or low speed or both?
miss/surge dump...happens at high rpms when on the throttle while changing gears. if you drive and change at low rpm it isnt as much of a cut out. If you are are at high rpms it is almost like the car completely stops for about a second then kicks on in.

Does the miss/surge occur when the car is cold or hot or both?doesnt matter hot or cold it will dump out at high rpms or when u rev engine.

Now something I did notice on further inspection today. The sensor plug that should be connected to the airbox/intake..is simply hanging not connected to crappy intake. I havent taken it to see if its throwing codes yet but seems to me that should be plugged in somewhere??
[end quote]

The airbox does not have a sensor - it is probably the wiring connector for the purge solenoid for the carbon canister.

Dumping the codes will help spot things that set a warning in the computer but don't necessarily set the Check Engine Light (CEL)


Dumping the computer diagnostic codes on 86-95 Mustangs

Revised 26-July-2011. Added need to make sure the clutch is pressed when dumping codes.

Codes may be present even if the check engine light hasn’t come on, so be sure to check for them.
Here's the way to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine
light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great. You watch the flashing test lamp
or Check Engine Light and count the flashes.

Post the codes you get and I will post 86-93 model 5.0 Mustang specific code definitions and fixes.
I do not have a complete listing for 94-95 model 5.0 Mustangs at this time.

Be sure to turn off the A/C, and put the transmission in neutral when dumping the codes.
On a manual transmission car, be sure to press the clutch to the floor.

Fail to do this and you will generate a code 67 and not be able to dump the Engine Running codes.

Underhoodpictures007-01.jpg


Underhoodpictures010.jpg


If your car is an 86-88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method.
There is no functional check engine light on the 86-88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.

attachment.php


The STI has a gray connector shell and a white/red wire. It comes from the same bundle of wires
the self test connector.


89 through 95 cars have a working Check Engine light. Watch it instead of using a test lamp.

attachment.php


The STI has a gray connector shell and a white/red wire. It comes from the same bundle of wires
as the self test connector.


WARNING!!! There is a single dark brown connector with a black/orange wire.
It is the 12 volt power to the under the hood light. Do not jumper it to the computer test connector.
If you do, you will damage the computer.


What to expect:
You should get a code 11 (two single flashes in succession). This says that the computer's internal
workings are OK, and that the wiring to put the computer into diagnostic mode is good. No code 11
and you have some wiring problems. This is crucial: the same wire that provides the ground to dump
the codes provides signal ground for the TPS, EGR, ACT and Map/Baro sensors. If it fails, you will have
poor performance, economy and driveablity problems


Some codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the
engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.

Dumping the Engine Running codes: The procedure is the same, you start the engine with
the test jumper in place. Be sure the A/C is off, and clutch (if present) is pressed to the floor,
and the transmission is in neutral. You'll get an 11, then a 4 and the engine will speed up to do
the EGR test. After the engine speed decreases back to idle, it will dump the engine running codes.

Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.

Alternate methods:
For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections,
see Actron® for what a typical hand scanner looks like.
Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Wal-Mart.

Or for a nicer scanner see http://www.midwayautosupply.com/p-7208-equus-digital-ford-code-reader-3145.aspx–
It has a 3 digit LCD display so that you don’t have to count flashes or beeps.. Cost is $30.
 
Humm, at first I didn't catch that you had a speed density car. That along with that "E" cam (one of the Ford alphabet cams) is not the best of combinations. Hopefully some Stangnetters with speed density will jump in here, but from what I've heard you really need a custom cam, have a chip burnt, or convert to mass air to live happily with a cam and speed density.

Here's a link on what it takes to convert to mass air:
Mustang Mass Air Conversion «