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Old 02-14-2007   #1 (permalink)
88_4cyl_muscart is offline Rookie

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Exclamation 1988 Mustang engine knock even after mods. What to try next?

So today i changed my plugs to bosch platinum 2. I changed my plug wires, i changed my cap and rotor ot performance gold, and changed my ignition ciol to MSD...finally got my hurst short shift....

my knockwich i belive is a spark knock when the engine is under load..after changeing all that and adding stp octane booster/fuel system cleaner the knock has gotten better..now do i play with my timing?

soon to have 2" straight pipe...
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3" stainless mass air
MSD tfi coil
GRANT steering wheel
HURST short shift
(ranger headers straight pipe comeing soon)
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Old 02-15-2007   #2 (permalink)
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For one, I'd have gone with the standard Bosch Platinums instead of the +2s, the Bosch +2s and +4s tend to only do well in engines designed for them, the standard version of the Bosch Platinum is an EXCELLENT choice for the 2.3 though, as is the NGK V-power spark plug.

If you're getting spark knock, you've got a few things to check:

1. Vacuum/emissions lines. If any of these are cracked, broken, or disconnected, they could be causing the engine to draw excess air or not collect all of the various vapors (oil and fuel vapors) that your engine is also supposed to burn as part of it's emissions system.

2. Ignition timing. This should be set to match the decal on your radiator support. If it's not there, try looking in a Haynes or Chilton's manual for the car.

3. Camshaft timing. Camshaft Timing is very important on the 2.3, being off by a single tooth can wreak havoc with the EFI engines. There is a sight-plug in the timing cover of the 2.3L engine, rotate the crankshaft so that the timing mark on the crank pulley points to Top-Dead-Center on the compression stroke of the #1 cylinder (easiest way is to pull all the plugs out of the head (mark the plug wires so you don't lose track of where they go.) and place your thumb over the hole on #1 while a buddy turns the crank with either a ratchet, breaker bar, or their hands on the crank pulley (2.3s tend to be pretty easy to do by hand with the plugs out) when you feel pressure against your thumb, you are on the compression stroke, have him keep turning it until TDC is lined up with the timing mark) once you've got the crank at TDC, look through the sight hole in your timing belt cover, you should see a tiny dimple in the camshaft pulley, that dimple should be lined up with the timing pointer within the cover (center line if yours has three lines) if not, you need to correct the positioning of the timing belt, either consult a service manual or have a mechanic fix the problem.)

4. Fuel System. You need to know if you're getting enough fuel, you'll need to check the fuel pressure at the fuel rail and check the fuel pump for adequate flow, either check with a Haynes or Chilton manual or have a mechanic do this, you'll need a special tool (fuel pressure gauge) to do this.

5. If after all that you still haven't found it? It's likely in the valvetrain. If you're mechanically inclined, go ahead and dig in, if not? Check with a mechanic.
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Old 02-15-2007   #3 (permalink)
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That sounds like Rod knock not fuel knock.
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Old 02-16-2007   #4 (permalink)
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Well i went and spent the 25$ to get my timing set it was advanced over so far it was unreal my uncle said it was pretty much running like a diesel..but now it dosnt make a noise.....YAY now for ranger headers and straight pipe
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out for a non-honda 4 cyl KILLER!
____________
1988 Lx
T-5
3" stainless mass air
MSD tfi coil
GRANT steering wheel
HURST short shift
(ranger headers straight pipe comeing soon)
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Old 02-17-2007   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by speedytang View Post
That sounds like Rod knock not fuel knock.
OK I'll bite. What gives you the impression its a rod knock?



BTW 884cyl. glad you got it straightened out.
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