Should have left it alone!

[white92mtx]

Hey everyone, new to the forum as well as the sho scene. Bought a 92 about 2 weeks as my daily driver. Hoping somebody may be able to shed some light on my situation. The cars subframe bushings had been pulled out of the subframe causing the ignition control module to crack and disconnect itself when going into the driveway, shutting the car off, and driving me crazy in the process. I replaced the bushings as well as the i.c.m (used dielectric grease on back of module, and made sure the 4 bolts were tight) Car definately ran smoother....for about 30 seconds. Half way around the block it started bucking and popping. CEL came on, and tach started acting weird. Now from my research this seems like a no brainer....crank positioning sensor. I decided to do a tune up regardless. The next issue is that the spark plug wells were FULL of oil, and one of the wires was in half. I ordered v/c gaskets and spark plug wells, going to do new plugs again, and put my new wires on. Wasnt going to bother putting brand new wires in an oil bath. My question being, is there a possibility the current issues may be causing tach to fluctuate as it did? I know that the oil issues and bad wire are causing the rough running issue, but am praying that this is the only issue. Anybody's input is greatly appreciated. Tried giving all the info i could. Not really sure of the vehicles maintenence history, so unfortunately i dont know what has been replaced, and what has not. If you have read this far, Thank you! I am looking forward to getting it running well so i can start modifying!!!!-Ryan

 

[kevinspann]

Bad motor mounts can let the engine move enough to crack the DIS (ignition control module as you called it). Search here for all the grounds you should check as well.

 

[SuperHO]

the bucking and erratic tach could very easily be caused by a bad cam sensor. Sounds like this car's maintenance schedule was completely ignored. The good news is, once you get all that taken care of, it should run like a dream!

 

[shotime1994]

Where on long island are you from?

 

[sperold]

You probably have all the problems identified. Just work away at it.
Congratulations on getting the car. You have not complained about the clutch yet and that is a good sign, and if the AC works, you hit a home run.

 

[jayro]

Your on the right track with the valve cover gaskets ect. Oil in the plug wells can make it run like crap. After thats taken care of you should be able to nail down if any other sensors need replaced ect. I believe you said you put dielectric grease on the back of the DIS....you will want to switch tht to heat sink grease. Dielectric can cause the DIS to get too hot and fail over time. You can pick up heat sink at radio shack. Good luck

 

[Shovert]

Isn't there suppose to be heat sink paste behind the ignition module instead of dielectric grease? Ground strap from crossover tube to body? Maurice
I found this on search. Am I wrong or correct? Maurice
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=70163&highlight=heat+conducting+paste

 

[jayro]

Isn't there suppose to be heat sink paste behind the ignition module instead of dielectric grease? Ground strap from crossover tube to body? Maurice
I found this on search. Am I wrong or correct? Maurice
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=70163&highlight=heat+conducting+paste

yes, you use heat sink.

 

[white92mtx]

shotime1994, im in nassau county. Levittown to be exact, how about you? Shovert and jayro, thanks for the correction on the dielectric grease. Will promptly fix that issue. Another question i had, when doing the cam positioning sensor, is it true that there is no need to set motor to tdc or align any timing marks anywhere on the motor? Sorry for the uncertainty...My project car is a 1968 camaro with a small block chevy. I am so used to that, every time i work on something different i question myself over and over again. Thanks again!

 

[91PDXmocha]

That's correct no need to put the engine to TDC , just replace the sensor and inspect cam seal while your there.

 

[shotime1994]

shotime1994, im in nassau county. Levittown to be exact, how about you? Shovert and jayro, thanks for the correction on the dielectric grease. Will promptly fix that issue. Another question i had, when doing the cam positioning sensor, is it true that there is no need to set motor to tdc or align any timing marks anywhere on the motor? Sorry for the uncertainty...My project car is a 1968 camaro with a small block chevy. I am so used to that, every time i work on something different i question myself over and over again. Thanks again!

I live in suffolk county. Lake grove, there are a bunch of us.

 

[white92mtx]

Cool, should have it done this weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will go well. Next time you guys meet up on the island, let me know. Also if you know of anybody with parts, i could use some.

 

[typhoon5000]

Well, hopefully doing the maintenance you have planned for this weekend fixes the issue, but if you continue to have an erratic tach and what seems like ignition issues, I agree with SuperHo, that it's most likely the cam sensor, or a bad cam seal leaking oil into the cam sensor. That's the most common cause of an erratic tach.

the bucking and erratic tach could very easily be caused by a bad cam sensor.

 

[white92mtx]

Finally had a chance to work on the car sunday. Valve cover gaskets are done, only destroyed one bolt. It was actually hurt before i got to it (looks as if somebody used an incorrect allen socket) so i modified it until i buy/find another one. Now the valve cover gaskets, plugs and spark plug well gaskets are all brand new. The cam positioning sensor is a different story. Both of the 4.5/5mm? bolts were stripped beyond repair, was finally able to get a socket securely on there and......snap, broke the bolt loose along with part of it housing. Lucky me. Thankfully, the housing it gets bolted to is not part of the cylinder head. Two 8mm bolts later, broken item in hand. Now i have to try and locate this part. I assume its called a cam sensor housing? Either way i cannot find a replacement part on any parts sites. It does have a ford part number stamped on it tho....E9DE-12126-BA. If anybody has a clue as to what this thing is, please let me know. Better yet, if you have one, lets make a deal! Until then she sits, this is the only thing holding it up from running....hopefully

 

[shotime1994]

I have those housings you need. P.M me your number and we can meet up. I am at exit 60 on the l.i.e

 

[SuperHO]

the thing you broke...is it plastic or aluminum?

 

[white92mtx]

Well the cam sensor was plastic, and that broke. But the aluminum housing that it bolts into broke as well. This car is fighting me every step of the way. lol


p.m sent

 

[white92mtx]

I somehow managed to make the car run worse! Got it all back together, went to start it and it runs so rough now its not even funny, barely idles. I guess its off again with the intake to check the firing order, and any other issues. Btw, dont know if anybody here has dealt with him, but shotime1994 (andrew), helped me out in the biggest way today. Cant thank him enough, extremely knowledgable and very willing to help. Awesome guy! Thanks again man. Will keep updating with any progress.

 

[93markVIII]

vacuum leaks? i've chased a ton on my bro's sho. gotta check for them each time the intake comes off.

 

[white92mtx]

Yeah, on my check list for tomorrow. I did the worst thing i could have done....rushed my self putting it back together because i really want to drive this thing already! May throw a vac gauge in the car while im at it.