1995 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT

[Finn]

The TPS was a weak spot on the EEC-IV cars, it would develop a flat spot, which can cause exactly what you are experiencing. If you have a good multimeter (preferably with an analog sweep) you can watch it, it should be very smooth from around 0.9V right up to 5V (WOT). If it does some weird jump or dip, it needs a TPS. The 351W (EEC-IV GT-40) in our boat needed a TPS for this reason.

We can try to measure this but the more I'm driving this the more I can "feel" the symptoms pointing to TPS and this puts it on the to-do list.

They describe TPS adjustment in numerous sites but for my eyes the holes on TPS allow no adjustment. Perhaps it is for older models.

 

[Finn]

It’s rare to see a nearly 30 year old mustang here in the states, I wasn’t expecting to see one in Finland! Do American cars have a niche following there?

It is to certain degree. Earlier it was a lot bigger thing but maybe the younger generations are not that interested in cars anymore. Same thing with motorcycles.

 

[AmBeRnEcTaR]

Sooo I have been wanting to get a smaller convertible now for some time and finally went to see a 1997 BMW Z3 with fairly low miles. Trip today ended with this 1995 5.0 GT with T5 manual transmission instead. Only has just under 140000 kilometers on the clock.

Will need some mechanical work with brakes, springs, shocks and such. Probably needs MAF and TB cleaning and new plugs, wires, cap, rotor and so on.

Tyres are stock sized 245/45R17 but are some awful Made in China M+S. They are like new so they will do this summer. OEM wheels are a bit funky looking but as they are original they will stay.

It drives quite OK but there is a bit of "stuttering" hence TB and MAF cleaning.

I see a newish thermostat gasket and if gauge is anywhere close I guess there no longer is 195F thermostat. That is what I will put there.

Also, engine oil seems to be 5W40 judging by the receipts. Same thing, if gauge is telling the truth pressure is a bit on high side IMO. I think I will put Ford 5W30 A5 in there tomorrow and well see. Manual calls for 10W30 but that is pretty much obsolete here.

Next week rest of the oils and brake fluid.

Mobil 1 10W-30 FS.
Don't look back.
Congrats on the aquisition.
The Windsor is a teacher, it'll tell you what it wants

 

[OVERKILL]

We can try to measure this but the more I'm driving this the more I can "feel" the symptoms pointing to TPS and this puts it on the to-do list.

They describe TPS adjustment in numerous sites but for my eyes the holes on TPS allow no adjustment. Perhaps it is for older models.

The TPS "adjustment" is an old wives tale, the ECM zeroes the TPS every cycle of the key, so as long as it's within range it's fine. The myth was that you wanted to get it to exactly 0.98V IIRC, but having read the actual EEC-IV strategy doc, the reading for the TPS is measured on key-on, this becomes "0" and then anything above that is throttle open.

 

[AmBeRnEcTaR]

Oftentimes when I'm fueling up my '93 5.0 coupe a 20 something guy will walk up to me and say "that thing sounds pretty mean, *** is it?" lol.

The Fox body is several things and not all of them good. The initiated understand the intangibles that keep bringing us back.

 

[AmBeRnEcTaR]

Enjoy the GT while you can

 

[wpod]

What makes the oil, pressure on the high side?

 

[Finn]

The TPS "adjustment" is an old wives tale, the ECM zeroes the TPS every cycle of the key, so as long as it's within range it's fine. The myth was that you wanted to get it to exactly 0.98V IIRC, but having read the actual EEC-IV strategy doc, the reading for the TPS is measured on key-on, this becomes "0" and then anything above that is throttle open.

That is really good to know.

 

[Finn]

Yesterday we changed the oil and filter. Then we took the throttle body off to clean it and the IAC. Not hopelessly dirty but good to clean anyway.

So, after this I drove 10 miles back home and did not feel much difference in before and after "feel".

I did not drive yesterday at all and today I decided to reset the ECU. This allegedly can be done by disconnecting negative battery cable for 30 minutes. In the meanwhile I went to buy a can of injector cleaner and tossed that in tank and filled with fresh gas.

Went to see my buddy and while driving there I felt that the car was completely different than before IAC and TB cleaning. Most of the "jerkiness" is gone and engine pulls cleanly and barks quite nicely if you step on it.

I don't know if the ECU needed the reset but now it is so much better.

I will still change IAC, TPS and plugs, wires, cap and rotor and the thermostat too. And air and fuel filter.

All smiles so far...

 

[Finn]

I could start a new topic but I'll try here first:

Parts quality?

So I need to obtain certain parts IAC, TPS, plug wires and so on.

They don't seem to have these in the country so I might just as well order those from Rockauto or another supplier.

Rockauto tend to have Standard and Motorcraft available. How do you rate these? Is Standard good quality? How is Motorcraft these days? Good quality or just a brand name?

Which would you choose or would you choose some other?

I think I will need the harmonic balancer too. Which brand to get when all I need is something suitable for a daily driver or countryside touring car?

 

[AmBeRnEcTaR]

the sound that keeps us coming back for more...

 

[OVERKILL]

I could start a new topic but I'll try here first:

Parts quality?

So I need to obtain certain parts IAC, TPS, plug wires and so on.

They don't seem to have these in the country so I might just as well order those from Rockauto or another supplier.

Rockauto tend to have Standard and Motorcraft available. How do you rate these? Is Standard good quality? How is Motorcraft these days? Good quality or just a brand name?

Which would you choose or would you choose some other?

I think I will need the harmonic balancer too. Which brand to get when all I need is something suitable for a daily driver or countryside touring car?

The OE IAC's are good quality, if it's not all carboned up, I'd just clean it and reuse it. No point in replacing it. The TPS, if it doesn't have any flat spots (per the testing I noted earlier), then same. The OE Motorcraft ones are good quality.

Plug wires, I've had good luck with MSD, Taylor and FRPP. Basically, most of the stuff you find on Summit is going to be good quality (I assume you can order from Summit?, I expect international shipping might suck).

 

[Soft Cars]

That's a real Mustang right there.

 

[Finn]

The OE IAC's are good quality, if it's not all carboned up, I'd just clean it and reuse it. No point in replacing it. The TPS, if it doesn't have any flat spots (per the testing I noted earlier), then same. The OE Motorcraft ones are good quality.

Plug wires, I've had good luck with MSD, Taylor and FRPP. Basically, most of the stuff you find on Summit is going to be good quality (I assume you can order from Summit?, I expect international shipping might suck).

I have a bad habit of changing parts as "preventive maintenance" even if the old ones are OK. "Yes, yes, but let's change them before they go bad..."

There is a local Ford specialist which I will see on Monday and see what he has in stock, otherwise I will order overseas. I think I have ordered more from Rockauto than Summit in the past but both have done good job.

Thanks!

 

[AmBeRnEcTaR]

That's a real Mustang right there.

Low 13 second car without trying and 30 years old.
It's the way they go about their business that makes them special.
Those in the know, know. Everyone else thinks they're on the verge of stalling lol.
Love me the E-cam lope

 

[Torrid]

I always thought those wheels while so much of the period were extra cool for their size. I remember test driving a green '97 GT with those wheels around '01 while I was in high school dreaming of buying it. Still can't figure out why the sales lady even allowed me to have the keys. I definitely couldn't afford it at the time.

 

[michaelluscher]

I haven't seen a clean SN95 in years
Enjoy it
Consider an OBD1 scan tool for live data, cheap enough on eBay
In my experience with older EEC Ford's, TPS/ECT and EGR/DPFE if equipped are are real trouble spots
Motorcraft parts only, which are still fairly inexpensive and easy to procure

 

[Finn]

Need some fluids for T5 transmission and differential.

Transmission calls for Mercon. I understand that Mercon V is backwards compatible. Is this right?

Availability is not that great but locally at least:
- Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF
- Redline D4 ATF

For differential at least:
- Mobil Delvac 1 LS 75W-90 API GL5
- Redline 75W90 API GL5 Gear Oil

Mobil being somewhat cheaper of these two.

What would be the preference here?

 

[addyguy]

If Maxlife ATF has the proper ratings, it is very highly regarded on here. Should be able to get it at WM or CT.

 

[DuckRyder]

I'd run the Mobil in both cases.

WRT the TPS and IAC - Motorcraft only - even then the originals are likely to be better than the replacements if functioning properly. Order replacements if you like but i'd save them till something actually fails.

In addition to the above Spark Plug wires, ive had good luck generally with Motorcraft and NGK when available. Biggest issue here is going to be finding something that isn't yellow or red. Blue is somewhat less offensive, but it think OE are grey IIRC.