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Topic: 87 cougar cat. conv. problems (Read 1343 times) previous topic - next topic

87 cougar cat. conv. problems

i have just bouht another 20th anniversary edition and started to restore it (starting with the engine) and have noticed that the motor has almost no power and after only a minute of driving all 3 catalytic converters are smoking like crazy. ive replaced the plugs,wires,dist. cap and rotor. could the converters be stopped up or the timing be off? also i thought it could be the pcv valve, but i cant find out where it is.
FOXLESS!!

1994 Lincoln Mark VIII


87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #1
Sounds like you need cats.
Remove the o2 sensors from the exaust and take it for a drive,if the power is up,there's your problem.

87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #2
convert it to true duals using stang headers and a high flow hpipe since you need new cats anyways....

 

87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #3
i appreciate it guys ill try removing the o2 sensors but if that dosent solve it any more possibilities?
FOXLESS!!

1994 Lincoln Mark VIII


87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #4
what have you done other than plugs and tune up.

You should only need to gut the last cat,, easy enough,then retest.
Drive the car at night then park it.,, if the last cat is glowing redish, then its clogged so gut it.
at worse case, loosen up the header bolts and lower the y pipe so exhaust escapes around the .  that will bypass the cats while you troubleshoot.


You also need to pull codes, jot down your compression numbers, and also supply your fuel presure reading.

put up some more details,

87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #5
My cats where glowing and my car would run like  after it warmed up and all was just the vac hose on the MAP sensor. Just another easy check
1986 Cougar LS

87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #6
What's your timing set at?
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #7
Have you run codes?

Always a good thing to do with ANY EEC4 car that is not running well.  It may not tell you anything, but sometimes it will tell you all you need to know.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon-  '81 Granada GL 2dr

87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #8
Quote from: Chuck W;240533
Have you run codes?
 
Always a good thing to do with ANY EEC4 car that is not running well. It may not tell you anything, but sometimes it will tell you all you need to know.

 
That should be a rule.post the codes before askin for help.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #9
pulled the o2 sensors, that made it run a little better, as far as the codes, call me retarded but im not really sure how to pull them w/o a scanner, ive read jcassity's link on pulling them but its still kind of hazy i understand most of it connecting the jumper from the signal return to the STO, letting the car warm up, shutting it off waiting ten secs. and watching the check engine light with the key on, but nothing happens. could this also be done with connecting a test light to the positive terminal and the signal out?
FOXLESS!!

1994 Lincoln Mark VIII


87 cougar cat. conv. problems

Reply #10
only othewr things i have done to it so far are replacing valve cover gaskets, transmission filter and gasket, and a new fuel filter
FOXLESS!!

1994 Lincoln Mark VIII