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Topic: 302 EFI problems help! (Read 1670 times) previous topic - next topic

302 EFI problems help!

Okay I installed a replacement 302 in my 88 cougar. It starts up and seems to idle fine other than minor fluctuations backfires through exhaust never through intake!  no egr connected or catylitic converter. When putting into drive it acts normal, but after accelerating it gets choppy and weak. It will rev to 3k plus if you hit throttle slow. If you punch the gas real quick it sounds like it misses or chokes then catches on. Very weak low end performance. Brand new bosch fuel pump and sock. Cleaned fuel rail and regulator and injectors. Msd wires and rotor big and cap. Brand new spark plugs at .50 gap. Also new battery. Also when starting the starter bumps rally slow do it again and it bumps some more slowly again do it again and it starts right up possible timing/compression issue? I have tried setting time the harmonic balancer doesn't have marks so I put one in middle of indention side of balancer and timed that way. The inline spout connector is the little plug that fits in small connector looks like a fuel injector connector hanging off short wire from distributor right? I remove it while setting time. If anyone could help I would greatly appreciate it

302 EFI problems help!

Reply #1 –
just to warn you
DO NOT disconnect or reconnect that sprout connector while the car is running.

sounds like you have...........

atleast two wires criss crossed
incorrect timing (basic orientation is TFI pointing towards driver headlamp)
compression issue.

Verify cyl 1 at TDC and rotor button is pointing to #1 dizzy cap wire and both E/I valves are closed. 

really sounds like timing.
 

302 EFI problems help!

Reply #2 –
the manifold pressure at idle is 16in and sometimes fluctates to 21in. jegs said to keep it in between 18-21in. IF full throttle at the end of first gear, manifold pressure drops to 0.  should there be pressure in manifold at wot? quite a bit of junk fell into injector manifold holes when cleaning them.  im afraid it has gunk build up more than normal.  i have already ran 1 can of seafoam through brake b ooster. as for the tfi, if it points to driver headlight that is retard from tdc/#1 on rotorbug.  just a hair adv anced is where it fires the #1. so more like aiming at front grille.  the timing light shows the marker in middle of mark on harmonic balancer.  the mark on harmonic balancer was made by me.  it has one etched groove that looks like it was made with it.  180 degrees on the exact opisite side is the mark i made that is in the middle of the indention section which i thought is where the timming tape should be. now through my novice timing tech and bad eye sight for marking harmonic balancer, how much degrees is per rotation of crank? i mean when looking at marker with timing light and turn dirstritbutor one way, it moves that mark one way.  move it the other and the mark also moves the other way.  how do you measure how far you have gone? other than getting a timing tape.  i mean is 10 degrees equals 1cm of movement of len gth on harmonic balancer thorugh timing light?