tripod gauges and timing questions...

[87_crown_vic]

i was wondering how i set the timing on my car. it is a 1987 CV SEFI 5.0.... do i unplug the plug that is under the cap and then adjust or where is the plug that i have to unplug to adjust it? i was told it is by the distributor, but didnt know if it was the plug that connects to the dist that is in the way of the thermostat housing. i wanna make sre my timing is set since i did a water pump, hoses from water pump, upper and lower radiator hoses, adjusted the transmission pressure, and need to do the timing.

another thing i am wondering is since i bought tri-pod gauges, where does the coolant sensor plug in at? looks like it is in one of two places. looks like the top of the intake and there is another type of sensor located at the front of the engine passenger top side on a hose the sticks straight up. if anybody has pictures of the diferent things i need to be able to visualize it. i am trying to figure out where i am gonna route these lines from the oil pressure and temp sensor thru the firewall. if anybody has done the gauges before please help.

[OVERKILL]

The SPOUT connector is what you are looking to unplug, and it's about the size of two chicklets stacked on top of each other in the wiring harness coming away from the distributor.

You want to use the hole that the one-wire sensor is in for the coolant temp sensor, it's in the lower intake on the drivers-side. The other one, in the coolant hose coming up, is the sensor for the ECM, removing that = VERY BAD.

[87_crown_vic]

so am i gonna have to drill holes, or is there a place i can run the lines? i am trying to figure out how i can do this the easiest way to get the lines ran.
coolant sensor goes driver side top front of intake, but with that big sensor how am i gonna run it thru the firewall??

[85crownHPP]

find a hole, make a hole, or use an electric gauge

[87_crown_vic]

i didnt know if somebody knew where there was a hole to accomodate the temp sensor thru the firewall. lookin to see if anybody found a spot to run thru. oil pressure will be easy since it is just a tube. i didnt want an electrical gauge and do extra wiring and spend more money that could be going for the trip to SF.

[Lincolnmania]

there are many gronmets to knock out

[gadget73]

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00166.html

[87_crown_vic]

i painted a line between 10* and 12*...it is set at 11* now. i am trying to run the lines for the temp sensor and the oil pressure gauge. that is gonna be fun(oil pressure gauge install) me thinks its a gonna be a tight fight for the temp sensor getting thru the firewall.

[87_crown_vic]

i got the transmission adjusted, and timing set. it isnt having the small misfire on hills when it is under load at a low RPM any more. transmission pressure is maxed, but shifts to OD at 42mph at light throttle. i dont like it and it needs a different adjustment made that i cant do from the cable.

[gadget73]

Should be a grommet under the brake booster, near the ECM that you can use for sensors. Thats where mine are run. Nothing in the middle of the car but the one for the HvAC, and you might as well forget accessing that. Its high up and buried behind the dash. I've had to fish new vacuum lines through that for my climate control after the fire cooked them. What a pain in the ass.

If its shifting into OD at 42 with the tv pressure at max, there really is nothing else that can be done short of changes internally to the valve body or governor.

[87_crown_vic]

is there gonna be anybody there that can make adjustments on the transmission? thought i would ask. when i had the trans. rebuilt, they put in a shift kit and a "A" servo. i just want it to kick in gears a little later instead of me having to do it from the shifter sometimes. when i am cruising down the hwy it used to drop to second and go when i floored it. now it only drops to 3rd and fights to build momentum when i floor it. any time i have gone to the transmission shop with the money to pay it off and have them do the final adjustment, they say to bring it back when they can get it in the air and hold the cash. damn transmission shop is pissing me off. i wonder if there is a Cottmang transmission that would do it since the one here is treating me like shit.

about the gauges...i want them mounted under the ash tray, but my lines arent long enough to reach the intake if i run it to the side of the firewall. i end up being at least 2-3 inches short. i can get a different line for the oil preesure gauge so that can be ran anywhere as long as i have enuf line. i am gonna wait till i get to SF and see if someone can help.

[gadget73]

Don't beat on it, we actually have a factory ford special adjustment thingydoober here. Takes only a few mins to set it.

[87_crown_vic]

kool....so it can be adjusted there...i have complained to Cottman and they said they would get it in the air and adjust it when they have an open bay. i have been there 5 times since it was rebuilt and they never have the time for it unless i drop it off. when it was there to be rebuilt some kids were in my car fuckin' around andi didnt have my car for a month. i ain't doing that again. damn Cottman here are ASSHOLES. i am gonna call customer service and see what can be done about there customer satisfaction guarantee. i dont plan on paying the remainder of the balance of $250 since they never have time for me.