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Topic: Jerky car (Read 3587 times) previous topic - next topic

Jerky car

I just wrapped my headers with a titanium header wrap and now when I drive my car jerks every 20-30 seconds and my air/fuel gauge drops into the red because it goes lean. Could the header wrap be cause some sort of prefire because of the extra heat inside the header? I also just put on new MSD spark plug wires which I had a hard time fitting onto the spark plugs.
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

Jerky car

Reply #1
the MSD wires could be the problem by them selves, the only wires that work correctly are the Motorcraft wires.

Jerky car

Reply #2
When my car did that, it was because of the ignition module on the distributor.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

 

Jerky car

Reply #3
Did you break a wire on your O2 sensor(s)?

Does it do it at idle, wide open throttle, or just part throttle? If it only does it during normal, part throttle driving, I'd definitely check your O2 harnesses. O2's dont really function at idle or WOT, so that could help eliminate something before you throw parts at it or take it to a shop.

After that, if it's still unfound, codes. Vinnie's advice is spot on too, as is Graham's.

G'luck.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Jerky car

Reply #4
So It turned out to be my MSD coil. piece of  if you ask me. I throw on my spare basic one from autozone and it is back to running as smooth as chunky butter.
Thanks for the support guys!
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

Jerky car

Reply #5
WHEN WILL PEOPLE LEARN !!!! That a lot of aftermarket stuff is JUNK. Especially when it comes to electronic components and MSD products !!!

:hick::mullet:
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Jerky car

Reply #6
Quote from: TOM Renzo;417611
WHEN WILL PEOPLE LEARN !!!! That a lot of aftermarket stuff is JUNK. Especially when it comes to electronic components and MSD products !!!

:hick::mullet:


best cost vs best price,,,,

oddly enough MSD has figured out a way to break the rule and provide junk at a high price.

Jerky car

Reply #7
Quote from: vinnietbird;417597
When my car did that, it was because of the ignition module on the distributor.

you mean that bucking intermittantly you were having a few months back at low speeds with steady throttle applied?

Jerky car

Reply #8
Well said Jay that is exactly 100% correct. Think about how many miles and years a ford or for that matter any OEM electronic component lasts. Can't beat original stuff most of the time OE is superior or just as good.
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Jerky car

Reply #9
It also might have been some py gas from fred meyers. I put in some fuel injector cleaner and im going to put in some chevron or shell gas after the tank gets low.
I am also having another problem. When I down shift and the RPMs are winding down around instead of going to lean like it use to, it runs really rich and back fires alot. I thought maybe a vacuum line but I cant find any leaks...
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

Jerky car

Reply #10
I had problems with my msd wires also,I could feel the loss of power,changed them back to the ford racing back to normal. go figure the msd's were twice the price
1986 T-bird
347 stroker motor
185 AFR Heads
TrickFlow cam 224/232-542/563
Victor Jr. intake CNC ported
Quickfuel Holley 800 cfm
Hooker 1-3/4 long tubes
Custom built AOD
B&M 3000 stall
8.8 w/4.30 gears
UPR K-member,A-Arms,and coil-overs
UPR upper/lower control arms
Strange shocks/struts
26x10x15 M/T slicks
11.48@119.27
(coming soon Tremec 3550)
The Finished Product
http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/03grinnie/T-bird/

Jerky car

Reply #11
Dang, I wish ford racing made wires for the 2.3
1987 turbo coupe 5speed: Boport stage 3 head/2.5 cam , Precision stage 3 50trim .63 turbo, Tial 38mm wastegate, Jangus gutted/ported intake manifolds, 60mm tb, Jangus open dumptube, Jangus 3" elbow, Perrin boost controller,Esslinger adjustable cam pulley, Esslinger small crank pulley, stinger FMI, RFL BOV, Spec stage 3 clutch, B&M short throw, 140 speedo, Walbo 255lph, BBK fpr, 3G alternator, ARP studs.  Be faster... :poke:

Jerky car

Reply #12
I'm glad his problem is solved but will someone explain why the afr was going lean if it was ignition related? I would've thought it would go rich and I'd be looking hopelessly for a problem elsewhere.
home ported E7's, HO intake, 93 Tbird cam, 65mm tb, Shorties, dynomax lers, TC 3.73 rear, Mach 1 springs, Bauman shiftkit, epoxy mod, SD, 3G alt, black magic fan

Jerky car

Reply #13
Quote from: SR71blackbird;417833
Dang, I wish ford racing made wires for the 2.3
They do you just get 2 pairs. Lol
1986 T-bird
347 stroker motor
185 AFR Heads
TrickFlow cam 224/232-542/563
Victor Jr. intake CNC ported
Quickfuel Holley 800 cfm
Hooker 1-3/4 long tubes
Custom built AOD
B&M 3000 stall
8.8 w/4.30 gears
UPR K-member,A-Arms,and coil-overs
UPR upper/lower control arms
Strange shocks/struts
26x10x15 M/T slicks
11.48@119.27
(coming soon Tremec 3550)
The Finished Product
http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/03grinnie/T-bird/

Jerky car

Reply #14
So . . . with all these problems with MSD stuff, anyone have an opinion on the 6AL boxes?