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'87 Colony Park, stutters, bucks, and stalls. Help Pls!

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    '87 Colony Park, stutters, bucks, and stalls. Help Pls!

    I picked up an 87 Colony Park wagon with a 302 in it. It stalled a LOT for awhile, but I figured I'd get it sorted. Well, it's better, but only by a very little bit. I've spent 5 times what I paid for the vehicle letting a mechanic try to solve my issues. All to no avail. He fixed other stuff that probably needed fixing, but not the rough/stalling issue.

    Symptoms:
    - stalls at stop lights/signs
    - stutters and stalls when put into gear (idles in park just fine)
    - bucks when going up hills
    What I've tried to fix it, unsuccessfully:
    - replace fuel filter
    - replaced fuel pump with electronic pump
    - replaced fuel injectors
    - replaced fuel injector wiring with new wiring harness
    - replaced TFI
    - replaced Dizzy
    - Replaced sparkplug wiring
    - Replaced ECU
    - Bypassed SMOG diverter
    - Replaced fuel regulator
    - Replaced idle air control
    - smoke tested and fixed all leaking hoses that I could find

    Next steps I'm considering:
    - check spark with spark tester
    - check ignition to see if fuel is at constant PSI, even when stalls
    - Run new wire to fuel injector and ground properly (since old wire may be faulty)
    - Beat my head against the wall mercilessly....if nothing works

    I'm really at my wits end with this thing. Any help/suggestions GREATLY appreciated.
    Last edited by jeff97062; 06-21-2022, 11:24 PM. Reason: add pic
    1987 MGM Wagon

    #2
    Dumb question, but when the distributor was replaced was it re-timed properly? Should be set with the SPOUT connector disconnected and at 10* before TDC iirc. Did you use an OEM Ford TFI module or aftermarket?
    These are highly engineered precision vehicles, the first step in diagnosing the problem is to strike the suspected offending part sharply and repeatedly with a blunt object, then re-test.

    Comment


      #3
      I think so. My mechanic did it. The TFI is after market
      1987 MGM Wagon

      Comment


        #4
        Check TPS and EGR, bad spots in the TPS sweep or out of calibration. EGR valve might be full of crap and hanging open.

        http://www.grandmarq.net/oldfuelinjection/page30.html
        1985 Mercury Grand Marquis LS, "Maisa"
        1995 Chevrolet Caprice Classic STW, "Sally"

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          #5
          In addition to the above, I don't see spark plugs on your list. I'd replace those if they haven't been replaced. Get the copper ones, usually the cheaper choice at the parts store. Easy to do yourself if you have a few hand tools.

          I'd also check to see that the base idle is correct. https://www.muscularmustangs.com/idlereset.php

          There are some other idle troubleshooting tips on that website as well.
          1990 Country Squire - weekend cruiser, next project
          1988 Crown Vic LTD Wagon - waiting in the wings

          GMN Box Panther History
          Box Panther Horsepower and Torque Ratings
          Box Panther Production Numbers

          Comment


            #6
            Thanks Fordman!
            1987 MGM Wagon

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks Tiggie! Will try all this and report back!
              1987 MGM Wagon

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                #8
                How many miles on the engine? Timing chain been replaced? WagonMan
                89 Colony Park
                90 Colony Park
                70 HEMI Daytona Convertible

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                  #9
                  May or may not matter but I wouldn't trust an aftermarket TFI. May be difficult to find an OEM but I would make to effort to do so.
                  What I Own: 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis GS
                  What I Help Maintain: 1996 CV / 1988 CV / 1988 Tempo

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                    #10
                    How does it run when not trying to idle?
                    03 Marauder DPB, HS, 6disk, Organizer Mods> LED's in & Out, M&Z rear control arms, Oil deflector, U-Haul Trans Pan, Blue Fuzzy Dice
                    02 SL500 Silver Arrow
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                      #11
                      Actually, Rockauto shows it for an '87 GM which is the same part for about $86 (MOTORCRAFT DY1284 {DU2Z12A297A} should you decide to go that way. Haven't looked at EBAY to see if the price can be beaten or anywhere else, for the matter.
                      What I Own: 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis GS
                      What I Help Maintain: 1996 CV / 1988 CV / 1988 Tempo

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                        #12
                        I too have an 87 CP. So here is some thoughts (if you have not done these already).
                        For the plenum on the upper intake manifold and throttle body gaskets, as well as fuel pump o-ring, I used aviation grease (not sure of the motor-world name) to help with the seals. This certainly solved my high-idle (turns out I had not greased the new IAC gasket and it compressed to the point of allowing air to sneak by it in one spot).
                        If not greased, you may have to get new gaskets, plenum, etc...
                        "You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead"
                        Stan Laurel (1890-1965)

                        Penelope - 1952 International L200
                        Jean - 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis Colony Park GS
                        Lucy - 2003 Lincoln Town Car Signature

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                          #13
                          1987 specifically sometimes had the old crappy single row timing chain. Would be worth checking that for slop. Only practical way of doing that without opening the engine is to remove the distributor cap and put a breaker bar on the crank. Rock the crank and note how far it turns before the rotor follows. A tight chain will be minimal movement, a sloppy one will have significant travel. If its loose enough it can give you erratic spark timing, and since fuel injector pulse comes from your ignition pickup, it makes that flaky too.


                          ever scan it for codes? Sometimes that will give a lot of insight.

                          honestly sounds like someone loaded up the parts cannon and just threw things at it. Some of that stuff may have needed replacing but the injector harness is not a typical fail item. Neither is the ECM. These things aren't that complicated, but they also don't have a lot in the way of self-diagnostics so it takes some obsolete knowledge (or the factory shop manual) to figure it out.
                          86 Lincoln Town Car (Galactica).
                          5.0 HO, CompCams XE258,Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers, 3.55 K code rear, tow package, BHPerformance ported E7 heads, Tmoss Explorer intake, 65mm throttle body, Hedman 1 5/8" headers, 2.5" dual exhaust, ASP underdrive pulley

                          91 Lincoln Mark VII LSC grandpa spec white and cranberry

                          1984 Lincoln Continental TurboDiesel - rolls coal

                          Originally posted by phayzer5
                          I drive a Lincoln. I can't be bothered to shift like the peasants and rabble rousers

                          Comment


                            #14
                            May be a good call TheEnglishChap. I put the idle air control in with no grease. I'll try that, along with the base idle check suggested by Tiggie.
                            1987 MGM Wagon

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                              #15
                              Not sure on mileage. It rolled once or twice at 99,999,999. It say 44,XXX,XXX now. So could be 144 or 244. My guess is 144,xxx,xxx
                              1987 MGM Wagon

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