302 engine help
 

-91 GT Block
-bored .030
-E303 Cam
-AFR 165 heads
-Crane Cams Roller Rockers
-Edelbrock Torker II intake
-Holley Street Avenger Carb 670cfm
-Accel breakerless distributor
-Holley electric 110gph fuel pump
-AOD trans w/1650 stall converter

I just installed this engine in an 89 LX Mustang which was origanally a 4 cyl. Everything has been gutted(EEC, injectors, etc.) and replaced with the simplest system possible, so I thought. Well I got the engine running at about 14 degrees BTDC, and it will idle at about 900 to 750 rpm. It is very erratic as far as the idle and the very rich smell from the carb. A freind told me to hook up a vacuum gauge to the carb at the intake and I'm reading about 12 inch hg which I think is way to low. I have replaced the intake gasket and still the same vacuum reading. I was also told you can adjust your idle mixture screws using the vac gauge by getting the highest vacuum possible, but the needle doesn't move. Also when I get the engine to idle and put it in gear it will kill the engine. I have got the car to drive and I found that when I get on the gas it bogs down once I hit second gear. But if that's due to a seperate prob then I will get to that later. I'm just trying to get the idle to smooth out now. Any help would be apprietiated.

Re: 302 engine help
 

Sounds like a vacuum leak somewhere to me.

Rev

Re: 302 engine help
 

Ditto. What about the carburetor gasket?

Re: 302 engine help
 

I agree with Rev, time to start spraying down the intake with some carb cleaner and see what you can find.
Ryan

Re: 302 engine help
 

Yeah, I was told to do that also. The intake is used and the guy I got it from said it was only used on one engine for about 5,000 miles. Could it be warped? The carb gasket is brand new and the carb bolts are torqued. Also the B303 should be some what of a rough idle correct?

Re: 302 engine help
 

Well I found out some things today. The B303 cam will give an irregular vacuum reading that is normal, my Holley street avenger is giving too much fuel and my stall converter is too small. Explains why it won't idle in gear, and I think I'm going with the 4.10 gears. Now to butter the wife up for more money. :D