5.0 Engine Running

Wildstanger86

Active User
Aug 28, 2017
38
2
8
I have an 86 5.0 and just took it out of the garage to try and drive it. At first it seam to run ok for sitting for 3 + years. After letting it sit and idle in the drive way for a little while I tried revving the engine and it hesitated every time I tried it. Then it started idling ruff which I have not put any gas in it yet and not sure how much gas is in it. I did pull the fuel line from the filter to the motor and it had fuel in it. Do anyone have any ideas what might be wrong with it.
 
  • Sponsors (?)


3 years of sitting the gas has probably gone bad. Was it E-10 or ethanol free? Did you treat the gad? At any rate I would empty the tank and fill with fresh fuel. Also change the fuel filter while you're at it. A new distributor cap and button would be a good idea too as the old one is probably corroded.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
3 years of sitting the gas has probably gone bad. Was it E-10 or ethanol free? Did you treat the gad? At any rate I would empty the tank and fill with fresh fuel. Also change the fuel filter while you're at it. A new distributor cap and button would be a good idea too as the old one is probably corroded.
I am not sure if ethanol free fuel. It did seam to run ok at first but then acted up an not sure how much fuel is in it. it popped once or twice when I tried to get it to rev up to. I will have to pull distributer and see what it looks like. I am guessing the best way to empty the fuel tank is to drop the tank correct?
 
Barn car find checklist: first steps to get it back on the road.

First of all, carefully check the underhood area to make sure that rodents haven’t had a feast on the electrical wiring, air ducts and vacuum lines. Replace and repair any visible damage. Replace the battery if you haven’t already done so.

Next, drain ALL the engine fluids, transmission fluid, pump the fuel tank and fuel lines clear.

Get several cans of brake fluid, you will need it to flush the brakes. Loosen all 4 brake bleeders one at a time and flush the brake system by pumping the brake pedal. You will need to bleed the brakes when you finish flushing them. Brake fluid absorbs moisture if it sits for a long time and corrosive compounds start to brew themselves in the brake system.

Pumping out the old gas - do this before replacing the fuel filter if possible;
If the old pump still works, you can use it to pump the tank out.
1.) Separate the pressure line (the one with the Schrader valve on it) using the fuel line tools.
Look in the A/C repair section for the fuel line tools. They look like little plastic top hats. You will need the 1/2" & 5/8" ones. The hat shaped section goes on facing the large part of the coupling. Then you press hard on the brim until it forces the sleeve into the coupling and releases the spring. You may need someone to pull on the line while you press on the coupling.

61yoVRLxcXL._SL1350_.jpg


OR

images



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRTjYAxvaCs


Use a piece of garden hose to run from the pressure line to your bucket or gas can. Make sure it is as leak proof as you can make it. Fire and explosion are not part of the repair process...

2.) Jumper the fuel pump’s test point to ground.

attachment.php


Turn the ignition switch to the Run position. the fuel pump will pump the tank almost dry unless the battery runs down first.

Some 5 gallon paint pails lined with garbage bags are good to hold the gas. The garbage bags provide a clean liner for the pails and keep the loose trash out of the gas. If you decide to use a siphon, a piece of 1/2" garden hose stuck down the filler neck will siphon all but a gallon or so of the gas.

The fuel filter is on the passenger side of the car on the body just over the rear axle housing. Pull the plastic clips out by grasping the tabs with a pair of needle nose pliers or a screwdriver.


]View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-JU54w7FL4]

At this point you have fresh engine fluids, fresh gasoline, new filters, new battery fresh brake fluid, and have replaced or repaired any rodent damage.
Then change ALL the filters (fuel, air & oil). Then put in new oil, new antifreeze, and 5 gallons or so of new gasoline. Be sure to replace the all the fan belt or belts. Reusing old belts are an invitation to break and leave you stranded or overheated.

Pull the spark plugs out and squirt some oil down inside the cylinders to lube them up. While the spark plugs are out, examine them for signs of damage or fouling. Write down which plug came from which cylinder and write down any negative things that you saw when you examined the spark plugs.

This next step is for those who have successfully removed and reinstalled a 5.0 Mustang distributor. Pre-oil the engine to insure that everything is lubed up good before the engine starts. Turn the engine up to where the distributor rotor points to #1 cylinder. Mark the distributor base with a scratch mark or something else that isn’t going to get rubbed off. Then remove the distributor and stick a ¼” socket on a12” extension on an electric drill. Place this rig on the oil pump shaft in the hole below the distributor. Turn the ignition switch to Run but don’t crank the engine. Run the drill counterclockwise while your assistant watches the oil pressure gauge.

For the less experienced DIY’er, here is a less complicated procedure.
While the spark plugs are out, crank the engine until you see the oil pressure gauge indicate pressure. If you don’t see any indication of oil pressure at the gauge after 30 seconds or so of cranking, you have some other problems. This is the time to stop and investigate them.

Put the old spark plugs back in if they look good; replace the ones that don’t. Have a spare set of new spark plugs handy for installation once you get the engine running. Why? The oil you squirted in the cylinders will lube things up, but it may also foul the spark plugs. Don’t foul the new plugs by putting them in cylinders that may oil foul the plugs.

Remove the distributor cap, and examine it and the rotor for signs of moisture and tracks. Lightly spray the inside of the distributor cap with WD40 to displace any moisture, and then wipe it up with a clean paper towel. Replace any cap or rotor that shows signs of damage, excessive corrosion or tracking that won’t wipe up with a shot of WD40.

Put the distributor cap back on, secure any loose wiring, vacuum lines, check the fluid levels, check belt tension and tighten any fasteners that you may have loosened. You are now ready to see if the engine will run.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users
Barn car find checklist: first steps to get it back on the road.

First of all, carefully check the underhood area to make sure that rodents haven’t had a feast on the electrical wiring, air ducts and vacuum lines. Replace and repair any visible damage. Replace the battery if you haven’t already done so.

Next, drain ALL the engine fluids, transmission fluid, pump the fuel tank and fuel lines clear.

Get several cans of brake fluid, you will need it to flush the brakes. Loosen all 4 brake bleeders one at a time and flush the brake system by pumping the brake pedal. You will need to bleed the brakes when you finish flushing them. Brake fluid absorbs moisture if it sits for a long time and corrosive compounds start to brew themselves in the brake system.

Pumping out the old gas - do this before replacing the fuel filter if possible;
If the old pump still works, you can use it to pump the tank out.
1.) Separate the pressure line (the one with the Schrader valve on it) using the fuel line tools.
Look in the A/C repair section for the fuel line tools. They look like little plastic top hats. You will need the 1/2" & 5/8" ones. The hat shaped section goes on facing the large part of the coupling. Then you press hard on the brim until it forces the sleeve into the coupling and releases the spring. You may need someone to pull on the line while you press on the coupling.

61yoVRLxcXL._SL1350_.jpg


OR

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwmjj23EpRXMFfHYVG6hYEK53GOKCWWvYG9-LefxImTo50cmW1.jpg



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRTjYAxvaCs


Use a piece of garden hose to run from the pressure line to your bucket or gas can. Make sure it is as leak proof as you can make it. Fire and explosion are not part of the repair process...

2.) Jumper the fuel pump’s test point to ground.

attachment.php?attachmentid=68357&stc=1&d=1322348015.gif


Turn the ignition switch to the Run position. the fuel pump will pump the tank almost dry unless the battery runs down first.

Some 5 gallon paint pails lined with garbage bags are good to hold the gas. The garbage bags provide a clean liner for the pails and keep the loose trash out of the gas. If you decide to use a siphon, a piece of 1/2" garden hose stuck down the filler neck will siphon all but a gallon or so of the gas.

The fuel filter is on the passenger side of the car on the body just over the rear axle housing. Pull the plastic clips out by grasping the tabs with a pair of needle nose pliers or a screwdriver.


]View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-JU54w7FL4]

At this point you have fresh engine fluids, fresh gasoline, new filters, new battery fresh brake fluid, and have replaced or repaired any rodent damage.
Then change ALL the filters (fuel, air & oil). Then put in new oil, new antifreeze, and 5 gallons or so of new gasoline. Be sure to replace the all the fan belt or belts. Reusing old belts are an invitation to break and leave you stranded or overheated.

Pull the spark plugs out and squirt some oil down inside the cylinders to lube them up. While the spark plugs are out, examine them for signs of damage or fouling. Write down which plug came from which cylinder and write down any negative things that you saw when you examined the spark plugs.

This next step is for those who have successfully removed and reinstalled a 5.0 Mustang distributor. Pre-oil the engine to insure that everything is lubed up good before the engine starts. Turn the engine up to where the distributor rotor points to #1 cylinder. Mark the distributor base with a scratch mark or something else that isn’t going to get rubbed off. Then remove the distributor and stick a ¼” socket on a12” extension on an electric drill. Place this rig on the oil pump shaft in the hole below the distributor. Turn the ignition switch to Run but don’t crank the engine. Run the drill counterclockwise while your assistant watches the oil pressure gauge.

For the less experienced DIY’er, here is a less complicated procedure.
While the spark plugs are out, crank the engine until you see the oil pressure gauge indicate pressure. If you don’t see any indication of oil pressure at the gauge after 30 seconds or so of cranking, you have some other problems. This is the time to stop and investigate them.

Put the old spark plugs back in if they look good; replace the ones that don’t. Have a spare set of new spark plugs handy for installation once you get the engine running. Why? The oil you squirted in the cylinders will lube things up, but it may also foul the spark plugs. Don’t foul the new plugs by putting them in cylinders that may oil foul the plugs.

Remove the distributor cap, and examine it and the rotor for signs of moisture and tracks. Lightly spray the inside of the distributor cap with WD40 to displace any moisture, and then wipe it up with a clean paper towel. Replace any cap or rotor that shows signs of damage, excessive corrosion or tracking that won’t wipe up with a shot of WD40.

Put the distributor cap back on, secure any loose wiring, vacuum lines, check the fluid levels, check belt tension and tighten any fasteners that you may have loosened. You are now ready to see if the engine will run.


Where do you find the fuel pump test plug at on the car?
 
Foxbody Diagnostic connector

?temp_hash=124ae0e661fe7ed48f0bcc9e908d5b73.jpg


Foxbody Diagnostic connector close up view[/b]

?temp_hash=124ae0e661fe7ed48f0bcc9e908d5b73.jpg
If I jump this plug by putting the wire in like the illustration will not cause any problem but just make the fuel pump run when I turn the ignition on. It will go off when I turn ignition off and the unhook jumper. The car will operate like it is suppose to after disconnecting jumper and starting it.
 
Yes that appears to be the plug. Yes the car will run fine afterwards as long as you follow the directions correctly. Damage can occur if you jumper the wrong wires so pay attention to what you are doing. Even if you do mess up we know how to fix that as well.
 
So I just drained the tank and decided to pull the pump. The pump runs but the strainer fell apart. Doe you think I should replace the pump to or just get a strainer. The pump is probably about 10 years old but is lucky to have 100 miles on it. Any ideas?
 

Attachments

  • sending unit 004.JPG
    sending unit 004.JPG
    896.6 KB · Views: 123
What did the tank contents look like? if it was gummy, sticky, residue, replace the pump and flush the fuel lines with a mixture of acetone, fuel system cleaner and fresh gasoline.

If it was just old gasoline, just mix up some of the above concoction; 1 quart of acetone, one can of fuel system cleaner and about 3 gallons of fresh gasoline. Be sure to change the fuel filter when you get done. Use the same procedure to flush it as you used to drain the tank.
 
It was not really gummy but had a semi hard residue on the outside of the pump. When you look inside the pump where the strainer attaches it looked pretty clean.
What did the tank contents look like? if it was gummy, sticky, residue, replace the pump and flush the fuel lines with a mixture of acetone, fuel system cleaner and fresh gasoline.

If it was just old gasoline, just mix up some of the above concoction; 1 quart of acetone, one can of fuel system cleaner and about 3 gallons of fresh gasoline. Be sure to change the fuel filter when you get done. Use the same procedure to flush it as you used to drain the tank.
It had about a gallon old gas in it. The vehicle did run some on the old gas till it ran out of gas. When looking inside the pump where the strain clips on it looked pretty clean but the outside of the pump had a hard residue on it with some surface rust on the hanger.
 
No need to drop the tank twice. These pumps are so cheap it really doesn't make a lot of since not to replace it while you have it out.