Engine Running like crap :(

justadude07 · Sep 27, 2025

So I have a 86 GT that runs SUPER SUPER rich. If you hit the gas blackish white smoke comes out. Also shoots 10 inch blue flames which is cool but obviously is horrible. I checked pressure at the rail and its 60 at idle. But for some reason it idles at 2k rpm. Ill turn it down and it stalls. Thats my other issue. Anyways im wondering what I gotta do to fix this. As far as I know it has a ty cold air intake a trick flow upper and lower intake a msd distributor with wires and short tube headers. Stock pump and stock injectors.

AeroCoupe · Sep 27, 2025

So I think you are saying you can adjust the fuel pressure. If so turn it down to 39 psi with the vacuum removed from the pressure regulator. If it stalls then my next move would be to do a base idle reset:

Post in thread 'Help me create the "Surging Idle Checklist"'

Apr 10, 2005

OK, now you have gone through the list and eliminated most of the possible problems. Now your mechanical and electronic problems are fixed, you can set the base idle speed.

Setting the base idle speed:
First of all, the idle needs to be adjusted to where the speed is at or below 600 RPM with the IAC disconnected. If you have a wild cam, you may have to raise this figure 100-150 RPM or so. Then the electrical signal through the IAC can vary the airflow through it under computer control. Remember that the IAC can only add air to increase the base idle speed set by the mechanical...

I am not saying this is it as with speed density (assuming this as you did not say it was a MAF converted car) vacuum leaks will cause all kinds of issues.

justadude07 · Sep 27, 2025

AeroCoupe said:
So I think you are saying you can adjust the fuel pressure. If so turn it down to 39 psi with the vacuum removed from the pressure regulator. If it stalls then my next move would be to do a base idle reset:

Post in thread 'Help me create the "Surging Idle Checklist"'

Apr 10, 2005

OK, now you have gone through the list and eliminated most of the possible problems. Now your mechanical and electronic problems are fixed, you can set the base idle speed.

Setting the base idle speed:
First of all, the idle needs to be adjusted to where the speed is at or below 600 RPM with the IAC disconnected. If you have a wild cam, you may have to raise this figure 100-150 RPM or so. Then the electrical signal through the IAC can vary the airflow through it under computer control. Remember that the IAC can only add air to increase the base idle speed set by the mechanical...

jrichker

I am not saying this is it as with speed density (assuming this as you did not say it was a MAF converted car) vacuum leaks will cause all kinds of issues.

So it does have a maf. And the kid that had the car before me left so many vacuum lines unplugged so ill probably just replace the whole thing. I have the regulator adjusted as far down as it can go and its still at 60 psi

AeroCoupe · Sep 27, 2025

Sounds like you have a lot of other issues going on. Without knowing what all has been done I am just blindly throwing darts here.

Noobz347 · Sep 27, 2025

justadude07 said:
So it does have a maf. And the kid that had the car before me left so many vacuum lines unplugged so ill probably just replace the whole thing. I have the regulator adjusted as far down as it can go and its still at 60 psi

Start by verifying the MAF conversion. Go through the instructions step-by-step as if you doing the mod yourself and make sure it is correct.

Carefully inspect and repair [any] vacuum issues that you see. Some think that if 'hose A' is not plugged specifically into 'port A' that it means a vacuum issue. Not the case at all. Just make sure that what you've got is not leaking and you can troubleshoot from there.

If you do not have an OBD-1 code reader, get one! Otherwise, you're pissing in the wind. Amazon has them cheap as does Walmart.

nickyb · Sep 27, 2025

Take the advise you've been given, don't give up,don't rush it, you will get this done .
Remember the more time you spend with her the better relationship you will have.
She"ll thank you for years to come.

AeroCoupe · Sep 27, 2025

@nickyb - they are never satisfied and rarely do any of those ungrateful aholes in my garage ever thank me.

nickyb · Sep 27, 2025

I guess I'm blessed.

DadLife0724 · Oct 19, 2025

Just posted this pic in another thread also.
This is my ECU I swapped. I was running super rich, very similar to what you described. Got a good ECU from a guy and .

Engine Running like crap :(

justadude07

New Member

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Post in thread 'Help me create the "Surging Idle Checklist"'

justadude07

New Member

Post in thread 'Help me create the "Surging Idle Checklist"'

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

DadLife0724

Active Member

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Engine Running like crap :(

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lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

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lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

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