Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: Shevretti on March 22, 2006, 02:15:24 PM

Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: Shevretti on March 22, 2006, 02:15:24 PM
Hello again!
I don't have an owner's manual for my T-bird or the factory shop manual so I wanted to ask you a few questions:
What is the proper serpentine belt tension (LBS), I've just replaced the belt tensioner and I don't want to overtighten it.
What are the mileage intervals between:
-oil change in Canada like climate (previous owner was changing oil every 6000 miles) but after about 5000 miles I've noticed the oil pressure idiot light stays on a second or two after startup, so I've just changed the oil
-timing chain/gears replacement (are the gears plastic covered like in Ford's small block V8?)
-AOD transmussion fluid change
Thanks!
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: thundergrowl on March 22, 2006, 02:32:09 PM
Autozone.com (http://"http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/14/ce/3c/0900823d8014ce3c.jsp") should have most of this information for you. Follow the menu on the right and I think you'll get your anwsers.
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: Shevretti on March 22, 2006, 03:25:03 PM
Thanks for the link! It's a very useful website!
I found everythig except proper tension of the serpentine belt. Or maybe I didn't know where to look?
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: thundergrowl on March 22, 2006, 03:32:44 PM
Quote from: Shevretti
I found everythig except proper tension of the serpentine belt.


Try this (http://"http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/14/cc/ef/0900823d8014ccef.jsp")
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: Shevretti on March 22, 2006, 07:10:41 PM
It says that serpentine belts have automatic adjusters, while my T-bird has a manual one and still doesn't mention the belt tension. Wonder if it's OK about 60LBS?
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: V8Demon on March 22, 2006, 08:03:42 PM
Quote
while my T-bird has a manual one and still doesn't mention the belt tension


Is it possible someone swapped the belt setup in this car to the old style?  Seems plausible considering that it must be difficult to get parts for an '87 T-bird  in Eaastern Europe.
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: JeremyB on March 22, 2006, 11:19:25 PM
Quote from: Paul Flockhart
Is it possible someone swapped the belt setup in this car to the old style?  Seems plausible considering that it must be difficult to get parts for an '87 T-bird  in Eaastern Europe.

All '83-'87 3.8s have manual tensioners.
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: V8Demon on March 23, 2006, 08:20:41 AM
Somehow, I KNEW you would know;)  Goood info!
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: JeremyB on March 23, 2006, 11:49:20 AM
I just tighten the belt to what "feels" right. I think I'm normally on the low side as my belts don't last too terribly long. I'd rather buy belts at an increased rate than ruin pulley bearings though.
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: CougarSE on March 23, 2006, 12:23:05 PM
Quote from: Paul Flockhart
Somehow, I KNEW you would know;) Goood info!

I swear jeremy knows everything about the 3.8......
Title: A few short tech questions ('87 3.8L V6)
Post by: Haystack on March 24, 2006, 09:09:17 AM
I knew that too,....