blaaatime

To start out...my car is very slow and sluggish and not getting the power it needs. I am in high 2k-3.5k rpms in first gear at 15mph. It normally would be 1k-2k at this speed. It seems like it is lagging a bit, possibly like a piston is sticking or there is not enough compression. I heard from another forum that it could be my clutch slipping or not catching. It is all factory equipment I'm working with here but it has been babyed and not driven very hard much.

Is there a way to adjust the clutch on a 88 mustang while in the car? I heard if you lift the pedal all the way up and then press it all the way down, you should hear a click to signify the clutch cable was adjusted. Is this true and what exactly will it help me with.

Streetracer911

That is true by lifting the pedal all the way up and then push it down to the floor. It is Fords self adjusting clutch.

You may also want to try this

http://www.corral.net/tech/drivetrain/clutcha.htm

nitrous_bob

it accounts for wear in clutch play so you are not partially engaged when it gets thinner.

if it is engaging about 2" off the floor you are fine, otherwise, like said b4, lift it up hard, you'll hear the plastic move, then press it all the way in. then do it a couple times if you hear like it's moved alot, or it was way out of adjustment. the problem is that it is plastic, and if it breaks your done. the newer aluminum adjustable quadrants are way better and some for as low as $79

i do not think this will help your problem.

if you are in gear and in the 3000 rpm range....just goose it

if the rpms rise and the car does not go faster, the clutch is slipping and probably needs replaced. if it snaps your neck a bit...it is fine, fully engaging.

sounds like you just have some other issues. w/ rpm sthat hi, you appear to have 4.10 gears, thats good (unless they are that high cuz it's slipping)

start from the beginning, check all plug gaps (get new copper replacements if not done in the past 30-40k or so) ensure all the plug wires are on, and in the corrrect firing order. a 5.0 will run reasonably well w/ mixed wires...just slower and less powerful.

then check timing, tps voltage, fuel filter all the routine stuff.

mjr46

run a koeo/koer test and check for codes and perform a cylinder balance test via the ecm's functions