New Engine running rough, please help

[NitroNixon]

I just install a 97 explorer engine into my 87 GT. The engines starts up fine, but runs alittle rough. I installed an adjustable fpr with the explorer injectors since the engine had 60k miles on it. Here are my symtoms:

- Engine is running very rich, I can smell the fumes, I have a fuel pressure gauge but haven't installed it yet.

- Load ticking noise is coming from the top of the engine, my father told me that it may be the lifters. I purchases this engine from a local junkyard with no oil in it and it's been sitting in my garage with no oil for over a month before I installed it in my car. How can I stop the ticking noise.

- When I nail the gas, the power seems to be there but I'm getting alot of sputter from the engine when I give it gas, the engine idles fine.

- Also, I used spark plugs made for a 97 explorer, should I be using mustang plugs?

Thanks for any replies

[speedytang]

First thing is your probably running to much fuel pressure and since the engine came from a yard it is probably been beat on. The best thing is to remove the valve covers and check to see if the rockers are tight and look for cracked rockers or a push rod hitting the side of a rocker. Use cardboard to make a shield because oil will be spraying all of the place but you can run the engine and hear which cylinder is giving you a problem.

[NitroNixon]

Thanks I will try to remove the valve covers to check my rocker arms, I torqued them down to the require specs.

Also, I will install my fuel pressure gauge today to see if I set the pressure to high on my adj. fpr.

Thanks for the advice.

[NitroNixon]

Engine still running rough, please help. I can't install my fuel pressure gauge yet because I need the correct adapters for my fuel line.

[gtnby2]

How many hours have you got on the engine since you installed it? If it sat that long with no oil, the lifters might be sticking a little. Try running a can of SEA FOAM through it. You can get it at about any auto parts store and if the lifters are causeing the noise it will free them up. just run it for a few 100 miles and change the oil again. as for the running rough, after putting in a new engine, the computer will freak out for a week or so before it settles in. My 351 ran like shit until the computer caught up but now it screams!!!! The plugs should be fine, just check and make sure the gap is right....
Good luck
GTNBY2

[NitroNixon]

Well I bought the engine for a local junkyard, and there's no telling how long it set with no oil. I've been running the engine for exactly one week now and I can still here a slight ticking noise.

The engine itself is beginning to run alittle better at times but the whole car vibrates horribly in all gears especially 5th. Should I replace my driveshaft with an aluminum version?

Also I finally installed my fuel pressure gauge and it showed 41lbs. I set it to 37lbs with the vacuum off and the idle smoothed out a bit, but I'm still getting that sputter.

Thanks for the tips.

[gtnby2]

i see you have a crane ignition..have you had it for awhile? I bought one a few years ago and it made my car run like crap. If it was added with the new motor, try useing the stock system and see if it fixes anything. just curious

[NitroNixon]

Yeah, my crane ignition was already installed in the car when I bought it 2 years ago. I wouldn't even know where to begin with unplugging that thing.

[NitroNixon]

Update,

Just installed my GT40p headers along with FMS 9mm wires and new spark plugs and now the engine runs like a top, nice smooth acceleration and great power. Thanks for the help. It looks like my brand new platinum plugs I installed when I did the engine swap fouled out on me.

[Ieatcamaros]

Glad to hear you got her running good. BTW, platinum plugs suck.

[gtnby2]

Glad to hear it was simple...thats always a good thing. Just remember to take it easy on that motor till you get used to it.......uh...never mind.....give it hell and ask questions later!

[NitroNixon]

Thanks for the advice all.

[grey88gt]

I agree the plugs suck. I sell auto parts and everyone thats running high performance or should I say modified engine hate them. If your runnning a little rich they foul so easy, and then the price of the dang things, anyways Ill never use them.