Just out of curiosity, who here would be interested in a generic repair guide for our engines/cars? I've been thinking about this for a while, and it seems more and more like a good idea. We could make it a sticky, and those who don't like the search feature could have a bigger reference guide for common problems and solutions. I was thinking of such things as differences between early and late 2.8's, the TomP tuneup, common solutions to codes, etc... I would also try to include some pages from my service manual as to common codes that pop up, for both the 302 system and the 730 3.1 system.

Any interest?

 

Im all for it, the only problem is that no one reads stickies anyway. We have tons of posts that all ask the same stuff when its stickied right at the top. "how do i make my car fast?" "Where can i get performance parts?" Im all for it, if we could just get people to use what we give them, instead of just being lazy and waiting for answers to come to them, ya know?

 

^Exactly.

We get the "what do I need to go turbo?" question every week when there is a "HOW TO TURBO" sticky right in front of them. It sounds like a good idea, but I bet it wouldn't be used too much.

I've thought about writing up install guides with pics for any mod I do. A step by step on how to swap to Ranger injectors would be useful for some, but would also get lost in the flood of "how do I go faster?"

 

You could also include the different stock block , crank , and head casting numbers and a way to read the numbers off the front of the block by the timing cover . I would really like the last one as I have searched the web and even called my local dealer to get the front numbers ran and I can't find anyting .

 

Most of that is included in the FSM, of which I will be taking pics of many pages (don't have a scanner for my laptop, but my dig cam will take document photos). I plan on including basic engine data, flowcharts for problems and codes, diagrams for connectors in the engine bay, and some part numbers for commonly replaced parts (I have both an 87 and a 92 FSM, so I can cover most years of our V6's with the exception of the carbed ones, could use a little help with that). Also on the list is interchange data for swaps (what flywheel goes with what year engine, what parts get swapped with what engines for system changes, etc), how to repair things that "can't" be repaired or replaced (the idle air tube on pre-88 2.8's, and the CS "can't service" alternator for starters) and of course cautions and warnings...

I'm also looking for input from those who have had unusual problems and how they resolved them.

 

Id be all for it, esp since I will be doing another engine or a major overhaul on this one in the near future.

 

TTT... I'm sure there are a lot more newbies on here that would like a tell-all "index" of solutions for their 18+ year old cars.

 

It sounds to me like you are trying to re-write a haynes manual.

 

That would be close, but the Haynes is nowhere near specific enough, especially towards the differences between the early and late MFI 2.8 engines, and how exactly the codes work... It just tells what they are and somewhat of what they mean. I've found a number of things in there that are just flat out WRONG as well (namely the wiring diagrams). They also don't tell how to rebuild the CS130 alternator (for those who want to attempt this), test the fuel pump system with a code 54, and tell the voltage and resistance readings for the fuel injectors, IAT, MAP, oil pressure units, etc, and it seems to have the wrong setting for the valves (mine seems to run better 1/4 turn less than any manual says and that's also according to my compression readings). Nor does it have part numbers for parts (intake gaskets, fuel injectors and o-rings, the ignition module) that seem like they are ALWAYS going bad. Also to be included are website links for specific parts (alternator parts, fuel injector cleaning and interchange... etc).

I never liked either Haynes or Chilton's manuals... They both seem WAY too generic. I'm hoping for a quick-reference guide that is more to-the-point.

 

Go for it, I would get one as long as they are decent in price

 

Definitely think it is a good idea. I am all for it for sure, anything to help others and ourselves keep our Third Gens running will be awesome!!!!

 

For one, this won't cost anything... It will probably end up like the swap and hybrid stickies above, if the mods allow it.

You, or anyone else with an 82-85 V6, wouldn't happen to know the specs for your V6, would you? I'd like to point out the major differences between the crank journals and the valve sizes in the cylinder heads, along with the compression ratio (if there is a difference between carbed and MFI 2.8's). I know that the non-HO engines had 1.6" intake valves, IIRC, but I can't remember if the exhaust valves were 1.3" or not, as compared to the "HO" and later heads having 1.72" and 1.42" valves, intake and exhaust, respectively.

I hope to get started on this sometime after the new year... Hopefully by then things will have settled around here (at home) to something resembling normalcy...

 

very interested. Don't sell yourself short. If it's good, it's worth money