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  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
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Problem?????

  • Thread starter Thread starter 79MustangMane
  • Start date Start date Dec 22, 2008
7

79MustangMane

New Member
Nov 10, 2008
13
0
0
Dec 22, 2008
#1
  • Dec 22, 2008
  • #1
Whats up everyone. I am havin a major problem. I have just put a thumpr cam in my 79 mustang. I cranked at up did the break-in procedure, but everytime that i put the car in reverse or drive it goes dead, and when i try to just hold it to the floor try to back up it will hesitate like and go dead. As long as it is just in park idlin it is fine everything is good. So if anybody can help me out I will be very glad. Thanks everyone.
 

rbohm

Founding Member
Apr 12, 2002
6,698
550
204
tucson,az
Dec 22, 2008
#2
  • Dec 22, 2008
  • #2
what are the cam specs? idle speed? rear gear ratio? torque converter stall speed? vacuum readings?
 

Evilfox

New Member
Dec 2, 2008
45
0
0
Elk Grove, Ca
Dec 22, 2008
#3
  • Dec 22, 2008
  • #3
This could be because of a dead cylinder. Other symptoms for this would be black smoke out of the exhaust. If you have a catalytic converter on the car it would be glowing cherry red due to trying to burn off the excess gas.

To narrow down this as your problem you could unplug plug wires one at a time and listen for changes in RPM. If the cylinder is working correctly you will hear a drop in RPM. If you do not hear a change then the cylinder is likely dead.

Pull the suspected dead cylinder's spark plug and look at it. It will be excessively black/brown.

Another possible cause is likely to be a vacuum leak. If you have a vacuum gauge you can hook it up to a manifold runner and take a reading off of that. Depending on the cam you are running and what not you should be in the 17-21 inHg range or more.

A vacuum gauge will also help you narrow it down to a burnt valve etc. Here is a link to what I am talking about.
On Fire
 

zookeeper

Founding Member
Aug 25, 2001
3,415
63
109
Rogue River, Oregon
Dec 22, 2008
#4
  • Dec 22, 2008
  • #4
Sounds like a vacuum line is off somewhere. Check all the vacuum connections carefully, and I bet you find one off.
 

HookandLadder

Founding Member
Feb 17, 2001
261
0
17
St Louis
Dec 22, 2008
#5
  • Dec 22, 2008
  • #5
Is the firing order for a 302 or 351. Check the cam card and make sure you have the correct firing order with the plug wires.
 

woodsnake

15 Year Member
Jan 16, 2007
1,352
15
69
Hicksville, NY
Dec 24, 2008
#6
  • Dec 24, 2008
  • #6
Did you measure or check your push rod length? Are you using the stock rocker arms?
 
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